Just as we thought a Welsh revival could be on the way, England score a record 68 points in Cardiff. Ireland scraped through against Italy, and Scotland took the lead against France but only briefly.
France is deserved winners, because they can play with a remarkable unpredictability, both in unit, team play and individual performance. Occasionally all three elements are in unison and the picture on show is so pleasing to watch.
France is a mixture of youth and experience and they are my favourites for the next World Cup in Australia.
A competition is usually remembered by its winners. No-one remembers the losers. This next decade could be a new French renaissance with young rugby players around the world wearing rugby shirts with Bielle-Biarrey etched across the back. The internal concentration on designing French club academies that develop talent is bearing fruit and much of the fruit is yet to ripen.
ALMOST TEAM
Scotland is the almost team. They could have five backs in the Lions starting team yet they lack consistency and the killer punch. Russell’s sleight of hand is a pure delight, but they need to win while he has the reigns.
Wales and the Welsh nation, fuelled by a Under-20s win against England the previous night, yearned for a Wales win but the outcome was cruel. A 68-point loss was beyond anyone’s imagination, aside from, perhaps, Steve Borthwick.
England looked physically stronger and fitter as Wales was always losing the collision points and England was always on the front foot. The Welsh production line, so revered by other nations from the 1960s onwards, has ground to a halt. The villages will still play in Wales but if schoolboy rugby continues to diminish the glory days are over. In essence, DNA extinguished.
England has something although what it quite is remains unclear! Has their team play suddenly blossomed? The young players are playing with great confidence and Freeman is a multi-positional talent - so strong and athletic.
Is Borthwick the right style of coach for this group of players? Is he only a forward’s coach? For now, the Six Nations party is over and the proof of the pudding will always be against South Africa or New Zealand – plus, no-one really believes England is better than France, do they?
Is Ireland on the cliff edge about to slip over. Can Farrell return from the Lions tour and invigorate a new Ireland squad led by the emerging Sam Prendergast?
And a big shout out for Italy who avoided another wooden spoon and are a producing some talented young players. On my many coaching visits to Italy, I have seen the shoots of talent sprouting out of Italian clubs mini and junior sections. Their U20s are a force and beat Ireland over the weekend. Watch this space.
The Six Nations is over. The question now is whether there is a new world order of South Africa, New Zealand, England and France on the horizon?
The Global Rugby Coach, Mike Penistone, is a globally renowned professional rugby coach based in Phuket who is also an ambassador for the Asia Center Foundation, a charity for disadvantaged children. For more information visit: www.rugbycoachingconsultancy.com.