Six Nations 2015 - Round 1

Widely regarded as the greatest annual international tournament in global rugby, the first week wasn't exactly a fire cracker. It started off in a freezing Cardiff as England slowly but surely strangled the life out of the Welsh, then championship favourites Ireland methodically won in Rome even if it lacked the flair that could have been. Finally Scotland showed some serious attacking threat, but couldn't pull a complete job over France as Camille Lopez punished Scotland's indiscretion.

George Ford punished Wales all day

England showed real promise as a World Cup contender as they went to the Millennium Stadium, missing a roster of first choice players they picked on form instead. It paid off, England have now built serious strength in depth across the park, and players like George Ford and James Haskell have really secured first choice slots with tremendous displays against a much favoured Wales. Gatland's
team looked flat and one dimensional during the whole game, it worked for roughly ten minutes as they built a ten point lead, until England begun preventing any gain-line advancement by the "big carriers" Wales is so famed for. The kicking strategy went out the window, and the try line defence was a shadow of its majestic self.  Changes need to be introduced, whether it is by player alterations or a tactic change is yet to be seen, but Wales need to learn a different way of playing when the gain-line battle is not being won.

O'Brien came close to returning

Ireland went through the drill against Italy, secure the lion's share of possession, build a lead over the first half, and then break away with a quick try scoring session later in the second. It wasn't a win filled with excitement or endeavour but it was a clean and crisp win, without looking uncomfortable at any point. The loss of Sean O'Brien at the 11th hour probably meant the pack didn't quite have the ball carrying ability they expected but still proved effective at ball retention. The missing Jonny Sexton showed even against Italy, as they decision making and execution of Ian Keatley was sub-par at times. Sexton combines the game control of Keatley and the gain line

Ireland need Sexton back soon

attacking art of Madigan, it's the reason he's the best fly-half in the game at the minute. Italy never really expressed themselves in the game, they had moments where they showed some outlet and had a try disallowed after multiple phases. Italy are still a banana-skin team for every team in the competition especially in Rome, but don't pose much real threat if dealt with properly.

Fofana was ineffective

France won, that they managed to do, but very little else. They only really threatened the Scottish line a couple of times and both of those came from mistakes, and yet even then they made big mistakes in the red-zone. The infamous "French flair" has gone, replaced with a bulldozing effort as they rely on their forwards to win penalties in order to win the game. Even with the dazzling lights of Fofana, Thomas and Huget in the back-line nothing really happened out-wide for them. Despite the win, I still don't see France offering much resistance for the title. Scotland however continued their impressive attempt at attacking rugby, gone are the days of kicking the ball at every opportunity and

Russell on form

now with the exciting Finn Russell at fly-half Scotland look to attack wide, and attack often. Scotland were the only team that offered real excitement this weekend and I look forward to watching them the rest of the tournament. Mark Bennett and Alex Dunbar are  superb centre partnership in both attack and defence, the Gray brothers offer really good ball carrying ability alongside the likes of Johnnie Beattie and Ross Ford, Scotland are building a solid team ahead of the World Cup and could surprise a few.

Team of the Weekend - (2nd)
15 - Stuart Hogg (Rob Kearney)
14 - Anthony Watson (Yohan Huget)
13 - Jonathan Joseph (Mark Bennett)
12 - Robbie Henshaw (Alex Dunbar)
11 - Teddy Thomas (Jonny May)
10 - George Ford (Finn Russell)
9 - Conor Murray (Edoardo Gori)
1 - Joe Marler (Alexandre Menini)
2 - Guihem Guirado (Dylan Hartley)
3 - Euan Murray (Mike Ross)
4 - Johnny Gray (Yoann Maestri)
5 - Dave Attwood  (Paul O'Connell)
6 - James Haskell (Peter O'Mahony)
7 - Chris Robshaw (Thierry Dusautoir)
8 - Billy Vunipola (Talupe Faletau)