Tissot, Official Timekeeper of the NatWest 6 Nations, has invited some rugby experts and legends to share their views on the games and the teams throughout the Championship.
Ireland were the best team in the NatWest 6 Nations. It’s hard to disagree with that because they had depth in the squad and excellent talent throughout.
What’s been impressive is Ireland had the quality of experienced players and depth in the squad and they all performed in the Championship.
Jonathan Sexton at fly-half and Conor Murray at scrum-half are such a fine combination and their game management helped Ireland but they had some superb players come in too.
Dan Leavy stepped up after an injury as did James Ryan but you cannot ignore Jacob Stockdale with that try-scoring record and he’s only 21 years old!
The record highlighted the quality of Stockdale as an individual and also the team. As a player, you only panic if you feel you don’t have the quality or skills or the team don’t back you. The team backed him 110 per cent.
With everything he does he takes risks, he goes for intercepts, if oppositions are not aware of his threat he will capitalise.
The schedule worked out very well but you cannot take anything away from them, they won their away games in France and at Twickenham.
Memorable moments
As a whole it’s been an incredibly exciting Championship, right from the very start with Wales winning against Scotland and then through to Ireland beating England.
I think from start to finish it’s been very exciting with some memorable moments and lots of thrilling see-saw games won in incredible ways.
My standout moment has to be Johnny Sexton’s drop goal – that kick-started their whole Championship and it highlighted the character of him and the team.
Sam Underhill’s tackle to save England and win that Wales game was also amazing. England didn’t have much success after that but it was key to stopping Wales’ chances of a win.
Then there was Keith Earls’ tackle in the last minute against Italy, the game was already won but he didn’t give up and ran back from their 22 to make that try-saving tackle.
England rebuilding
Eddie Jones has the summer to rebuild confidence but to do that you have to win Test matches in South Africa.
He’s talked about the attack and bringing in another coach, the attack has become a bit predictable and he needs to address the balance in the back row.
Don Armand got used in the last game against Ireland, maybe they will use him more over the summer and you have the Curry brothers as an option as well.
A lot has been talked about around England’s attack.
I liked what he did against Ireland, Te’o and Joseph in the centres because I think Te’o is better at 12. He offers something going forward for Eddie Jones.
The Championship has highlighted gaps in his squad and what needs to be address a year out until the World Cup.
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