Two rounds into the 2022 Guinness Six Nations and the table is more or less what would have been expected. France sit atop as the only team with two wins from two home games and thus the only country which can win the Grand Slam, with two points covering the peleton of four and Italy already cast adrift.
In a hint of pre-pandemic times, every game outside Rome has been a home win thus far.
By some distance, France’s 30-24 win over Ireland on Saturday evening was the game of the tournament so far. Les bleus were fired up and a capacity Stade de France, in love with their side and engaged again, was in full cauldron mood.
This was the same French starting XV bar two which had beaten the All Blacks for the first time since 2009 last November by 40-25. From 22-7 ahead they would not only have beaten any side in the world and but probably have blown away any of their other rivals in this Six Nations.
Ireland had the better of Wales physically but this French side are blessed with bigger, stronger athletes than any other side in this year’s Six Nations. They also have depth - witness the electric carrying of the 21-year-old Yoram Moefana - and retain French off-the-cuff flair, as evidenced by Antoine Dupont’s first try. There was also that 20 metre cut-out pass to Damian Penaud, and Penaud’s ability to beat a player with seemingly no room to do so before then offloading out the back to Melvyn Jaminet, albeit other teams will ape Ireland in targeting him aerially.
True, Murrayfield (where France haven’t won since 2014) is a bogey ground for them, but frankly, it’s hard to see how either Scotland or Wales can live with this French side, even at home.
Inconsistent Scots
For Scotland to lose against Wales after perhaps again believing their own hype in light of beating England was so typical, even if they could yet be back to their best against France.
But this French side owe Scotland one after costly defeats in the last two years and if they do set up a shot at a first Grand Slam and title since 2010 on the final Saturday against les rosbifs, their desire levels will be so through the Stade de France roof that the only thing which might stop them is over-arousal and self-discipline.
For Ireland to stay with them in last Saturday’s mood, to stay true to their principles, to keep on playing their attacking rugby and to ultimately give themselves a chance of an epic win tells us much about how far this team has travelled and the belief they have in each other and what they are doing.
Ultimately they outscored France by three tries to two and in a game where all other metrics balanced out evenly, made 156 passes to France’s 118.
Andrew Porter and Dan Sheehan, who looks a proper test match animal in the making, can only be better for this experience. Tadhg Beirne, Caelan Doris and Josh van der Flier were immense. The latter, along with Hugo Keenan, is the most improved player in Irish rugby over the last two years. And it's great to see James Ryan back to his best on both sides of the ball.
Ireland’s courageous and resilient display was also without their talisman, captain and most influential player of the last decade.
Joey Carbery’s composure under fire, his increasing effectiveness on the gain line and his goal-kicking provided the most compelling evidence yet that he is the rightful heir apparent, understudy and even rival. The argument is now all the stronger therefore not to risk Johnny Sexton’s hamstring against Italy and afford Carbery back-to-back Six Nations starts.
Not only would it increase Ireland’s depth chart at outhalf, which is needed, it might also discourage opposition from believing Ireland remain as Sexton-dependent and thus making the man himself such a readymade target.
Sexton probably wouldn’t have hesitated in going to the corner with that fateful 72nd minute penalty. It’s easy in the cheap seats and easier still with the benefit of hindsight. With Angus Gardner pressing them for a decision which had to be made in less than ten seconds, it was impossible for Ryan and those around him, Iain Henderson, Conor Murray and Carbery, to weigh up everything.
Yet not only was there a bonus point and the lead within grasp, it was difficult to understand the thinking behind trimming the French lead to three points with around seven minutes remaining.
In a World Cup knock-out tie, that might have brought a draw and extra time into the equation. But was a draw really on the Irish agenda? In order to win the game and retain hopes of the Grand Slam, Ireland would still have needed another try. Taking three points didn’t alter that equation.
One would venture that France were also probably relieved by the decision as Ireland had the momentum at that stage. Perhaps more than anything, it simply wasn’t in keeping with the audacious nature of Ireland’s second half revival, when twice previously opting for the corner and coming away with seven points.
As well as the argument for starting Carbery against Italy, there are cases for bringing in Robert Baloucoune, James Hume, Robbie Henshaw and Iain Henderson. Maybe even look at Mack Hansen at fullback, while giving some key front liners a respite, even though that would mean a three-week break before the finale against England and Scotland.
Sadly, the Italian fixture offers such scope. Sunday’s limp 34th defeat in a row against England means their round three encounter in the Aviva Stadium is set to be their 100th in 113 Championship matches. The Azzurri remain as non competitive as ever and their participation in the Six Nations has never seemed more debatable.
That said, there continues to be blue shoots of life, as evidence by a first under-20 win over their English counterparts in Treviso last Saturday.
Irish rugby should also never forget that despite a much more established history in the sport we weren’t always so wonderful ourselves. In the 14 seasons between 1986 and 1999, Ireland won 12, drew two and lost 42 matches, and were never remotely title contenders, not even once.
