by The 2024 Guinness Six Nations Championship was finally decided in the opening night proceedings when Ireland defeated France in Marseille.
Although the Irish subsequently lost to England at Twickenham, they still managed to defend their title by five points from second-placed France, while Wales hit rock bottom with a wooden spoon.
Here, the PA news agency looks at five things learned from the competition.
Ireland back on track after World Cup woes
Ireland bounced back in a big way from the disappointment of the Rugby World Cup quarter-final to underline their status as the northern hemisphere’s top Test team by winning their second championship title in a row.
The record win over France set the tone for another dominant campaign, only the best performance of Steve Borthwick’s reign as England boss – and the goal of the last loss – sweeping the pursuit of back-to-back Grand Slams.
Ireland will now turn their attention to supporting widespread claims to be the best in the world. That debate should be settled with a two-Test summer series against world champions South Africa. Traditional autumn fixtures against New Zealand, Argentina, Fiji and Australia will follow before head coach Andy Farrell steps down to take charge of the British and Irish Lions.
England find their mojo
Finishing third at the 2023 World Cup was a huge achievement, but it’s true that Steve Borthwick’s reign has been elevated by the last two rounds of the Six Nations.
It was Ireland’s biggest win in four years against the defending champions, only for them to reverse it against France, losing to a Thomas Ramos penalty in the dying seconds. left.
England have their mojo back, imbued with a newfound attacking flair, and can look ahead to their summer tour of Japan and New Zealand with real excitement. Considering how bleak it was when Scotland beat them at Murrayfield on February 24, it’s a remarkable feat.
Wales Warren Gatland in free
Wales have gone from the World Cup quarter-finals to the bottom of the Six Nations in the space of five months as they suffered the ignominy of a first wooden spoon since 2003.
Head coach Warren Gatland said he had offered to resign – which Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Abi Tierney rejected – immediately after a self-sacrificing home win against Italy. This was Wales’ fifth consecutive loss in a tournament where they went up by seven points at the end.
Gatland’s post-World Cup build-up is an extensive job, and while newcomers such as Cameron Winnett and Alex Mann have shown promise, Wales could ultimately be without key players such as Dan Biggar, Liam Williams, Louis Rees -Zammit, to overcome. Jac Morgan and Taulupe Faletau. George North has now followed Biggar and Leigh Halfpenny in Test retirement, with Wales next up against world champions South Africa. We have a long and painful road ahead of us.
A familiar story for Scotland
It was a missed opportunity for Scotland to post their best finish of the Six Nations era after somehow managing to manage just two wins from five despite being well contested in every game of them – and to establish leadership positions in four of them.
Concentration problems proved costly as France, Italy and Ireland narrowly lost, although they were lucky not to pay the penalty for a shocking second-half collapse in the opener against Great Britain.
Gregor Townsend’s side had chances to put the French away, before they were left to rue the officials’ controversial decision not to award them a late match-winning try; they won firmly in Rome before losing their way badly in the second half; and then in Dublin, a poor lineout in front of their own line undermined a spirited performance. Scotland must find a way to keep the chip away from being considered a top side.
Italy deserves the highest praise
Although Ireland were once again crowned kings of the Six Nations, a strong case could also be argued for Italy as the team of the tournament.
They may have only finished fifth, but their level of improvement under new head coach Gonzalo Quesada was evident. Italy had lifted the wooden spoon for eight consecutive seasons, but this time it was quality, purpose, direction and dynamism about their rugby that underpinned victories over Scotland and Wales, away draws against of France and a narrow loss to England.
Michele Lamaro was an inspired captain, the central pairing of Juan Ignacio Brex and Tommaso Menoncello matched any midfield partnership in the competition, newcomer Louis Lynagh looked a natural Test, Paolo Garbisi ran things brilliantly from the fly and there was much better respect and tactical execution from Italy than in several seasons. They were happy to watch.
