Who’s hot and who’s not: Ireland retain Six Nations title, Italy impress as Wales and Crusaders struggle

Dylan Coetzee
Split with Ireland lifting the Six Nations and Wales players dejected.

Split with Ireland lifting the Six Nations and Wales players dejected.

It’s time for our Monday wrap of who has their name in lights and who is making the headlines for all the wrong reasons after the weekend.

THEY’RE ON FIRE!

Ireland defend Six Nations crown: For most of the championship, it looked for all money to be back-to-back Grand Slams, but after last week’s defeat, it was not to be. Ireland did an incredible job of refocusing for a gruelling clash with Scotland which they came out on top of 17-13 to defend their title. It was a hard-fought Test in Dublin, and the Scots did really well to stay in it, but it never really felt out of Ireland’s grasp. Massive credit must go to Andy Farrell and his charges, who were the undisputed best in this year’s edition. It all sets up wonderfully for the decider of the best in the world debate with the Springboks on South African soil over two Tests in June. What a series that will be.

Italy pass off Wooden Spoon: Bold, brave and passionate is what could describe the final two rounds of the Six Nations for the Azzurri as they finished strongly to avoid the Wooden Spoon for the first time since 2015. Italy backed up their win over Scotland with a powerful 24-21 win over Wales in Cardiff to round out a memorable campaign. Credit must go to Gonzalo Quesada, who has really improved the Italian side since taking over from Kieran Crowley after the Rugby World Cup. The future looks incredibly bright for a young and exciting set of players.

England U20 triumph: One of the tightest U20 Six Nations in recent years had a blockbuster finish, with England coming back from a 21-5 deficit to win 45-31 to sensationally win the tournament for the first time in three years. The victory was just enough to put the English above Ireland on the table by one point. It was a stunning campaign filled with promise as stars such as Henry Pollock threw their name into light. There are several players to keep an eye on in the coming years, and we have picked out nine players from the Championship to watch closely.

Georgia continue Rugby Europe Championship dominance: The Lelos were crowned REC champions for the 13th time in the last 14 years on Sunday as they crushed Portugal 36-10 on Sunday. Akaki Tabutsadze grabbed a brace of tries as Georgia capped off a stunning finals day in the Rugby Europe Championship. Spain defeated Romania to claim third place, and the Netherlands hammered Germany 45-0 to claim fifth. Finally, Belgium beat Poland to avoid relegation.

Eben Etzebeth crowned SA’s best: An award that was never in doubt as the towering veteran second-row was named as South African Rugby Men’s Player of the Year in the annual awards held this past week, becoming the second player to pick up the accolade back-to-back. Etzebeth was a core part of the Springboks’ World Cup defence last year and was in with a shout to be named World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year, which eventually went to Ardie Savea. How the Boks would love him to retain this form up to and including the next World Cup.

Legend George North bows out: The result did not align with the occasion for the veteran, but nonetheless, a career racking up over 100 caps with several records, including the youngest Welshman to both 50 and 100 appearances for his country, is something special. North’s career was loaded with highlights, from his try-scoring exploits to carrying Israel Folau downfield. The great Welshman is a true legend of rugby union, and from all of us at Planet Rugby, we wish him the best for the remainder of his club career and beyond. What a player!

COLD AS ICE!

Horror campaign for Wales: When Warren Gatland offers to resign immediately after the final game of a winless Six Nations, it is very clear that the situation is dire, and that is exactly what it is for Wales. It is the first time in 21 years that Wales have not managed a win in the tournament and dramatically underlines the state of rugby in the country. Of course, the retirement of basically all the key veterans did not help, as there is now a massive experience gap, but fans will demand more and rightly so. Simply put, the Wales Rugby Union needs to go into overdrive to source solutions quickly before the damage is beyond repair.

Neil Jenkins referee exchange: The Wales kicking coach has deservedly been criticised for an abrupt exchange with referee Matthieu Raynal as he suggested a penalty be given against Italy. The match official responded to Jenkins’ comment by saying, “Your job is to carry the water” only for the Welshman to throw it straight back with “Your job is to referee the game”. On the whole, it is a bad look for Jenkins, especially considering how under-fire referees have been of late. Respect for match officials is an aspect of the game that rugby has prided itself on for generations and it is imperative it stays that way.

Crusaders lose… again: We all knew there would be a hangover after Scott Robertson’s departure from Christchurch, but no one expected it to this extent. The Crusaders were beaten again last weekend, meaning it is remarkably the first time in Super Rugby history that the side has lost four games on the bounce. Rob Penney needs to find solutions fast, or he may be out as quickly as he came in.

SANZAAR push for 20-minute red card: Rugby union is at a tricky stage where managing player safety and the game as a spectacle has become a serious balancing act. Super Rugby Pacific has been trialling the 20-minute red card for some time now, and the leaders of SANZAAR are pushing to have the law trialled globally but will need a 75% vote at World Rugby’s council meeting in May. The argument is that the law prevents games from being ‘ruined’ by red cards but the consequence of that is a lack of incentive to improve tackle technique which has been evident from the All Blacks with Sam Cane’s red card in the Rugby World Cup final a prime example. Tackle height can be trained and coached, as Rassie Erasmus said, and that approach is far more sustainable for the game from a player welfare point of view.

READ MORE: Six Nations Team of the Tournament: Ireland and Italy lead the way as one country misses out

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