Six Nations 2022 – World Cup Hopes

It has been an amazing competition with many joyous occasions and many times to be upset. Here is a breakdown, some favourite moments from the competition and prediction of how teams will do in the World Cup.

 Scotland:

 Since last year and the Autumn Nations, the Scotland team have improved a little during the competition. They did let themselves down after their Calcutta Cup defence against England. They have a strong team with a good coach, but no matter who is in charge they fall back on the same old mistakes, giving away dangerous penalties. They really need to shake that habit and try to understand that there is more than the ‘Old Enemy’ out there. If they can work on that then they will have a good World Cup campaign.

England:

Since their disastrous run in the competition last year, they have improved considerably this time around. A few unlucky moments and a shaky start did not help them. Eddie Jones has turned this team around, and he now has a base to build from. However, they need to get rid of the ‘we are going to win the World Cup’ mentality. They are nowhere ready to even think about that yet.

The call for Eddie Jones to resign is a bad plan should the RFU decide to go through with it. If anything, he needs time to build, and Eddie Jones has that.

 France:

It was predicted that they would win the competition, and they did not disappoint when it came time to deliver. Now in the top three ranked in the world, they have a lot of hard work ahead to keep that spot and have a good World Cup campaign.

A great game to test Les Bleus would be against the World Champions themselves; South Africa. The attacking power of the Springboks going against the tight defensive and counter play rugby of France; talk about an exciting game. 

 France opening try against Scotland:

Italy:

 To be honest, there was very little improvement from the Italians, however winning their first in thirty-seven games counts for improvement. Getting into the tournament at the group stages of the World Cup would be the best they could even hope for, even that may be out their reach. However, their winning try against Wales was the second best try of the competition.  

 Italy’s match-winning try against Wales:  

Ireland:

With their win over the ‘All Blacks’ in the autumn nations, runners up and triple crown winners in this years Six Nations. Ireland have gotten much stronger and are another team that with the way they are going will have a great World Cup. It will be a chance for them test their mettle against the worlds best and they will be better off for it.

Also, Mack Hansens seven second try was the best try in the competition.

Wales:

Wales were handicapped from the beginning with half the team out injured. They did show a lot of heart though and did quite well, but the last-minute defeat by Italy will leave a bitter taste in their mouths.

However, if the Welsh can get their full squad back up and running and ready, then they may surprise a few teams in the World Cup.   

 Best Match:

There were a few matches that were worth watching at the start of the competition. I would have gone with England versus Ireland, but after getting sent off after two minutes marred the game, England were on the back foot for the rest of the time.

The highlight match would have to be England versus Scotland in the Calcutta cup match. Both sides wanted it and it showed with the rugby played by both sides.