Warming up nicely for the Six Nations

The last November international weekend gave us two splendid and gripping matches: England-South Africa at Twickenham and France-New Zealand at the Stade de France. That they were interesting contrasts in style makes comparison difficult.

The home team won both, and, since Wales also beat a depleted Australian team, this was the first weekend ever that the top three Southern Hemisphere countries all lost to northern opposition. Ireland also inflicted a heavy defeat on Argentina, while Scotland beat Japan and Italy won against Uruguay; it was a good day for the Six Nations countries.

The Twickenham match offered a fascinating contrast in style and intention, with Eddie Jones‘ rejuvenated England XV playing (when allowed) with a zestful ambition which we haven’t seen from Jones’ team since the semi-final of the World Cup two years ago.

That day they beat the All Blacks in exhilarating style in what was probably the finest English performance since the days of Clive Woodward, Martin Johnson, Jonny Wilkinson & Co. On Saturday, though, victory by a single point came only with a last-minute penalty, they outscored South Africa by three tries to one, and any team that does that surely deserves to win.

Nevertheless, it was a strange match because it is rare for any team to lose after being as completely in control of the forward battle as South Africa were, especially in the second half. Moreover, at least two of the English tries might be attributed to an uncharacteristically weak midfield defence. They didn’t require much brilliance, and South Africa, as they showed against the Lions in the summer, rarely leave such gaps in defence as they did at Twickenham.

Such was the Springbok dominance upfront that a neutral observer – let alone a South African one – might reasonably conclude that this was a match which they had in their grip and let slip. So, for instance, even as their fly-half Handye Pollard lined up two long-range penalty attempts in the first half, I was surprised that he went for goal rather than kicking to the corner and going for a rolling maul try. He missed both kicks.

Then when their brilliant left wing Makazole Mapimpi scored a well-worked try in the second half, he dotted the ball down as soon as he crossed the try-line instead of making five or even ten yards nearer the posts. So he left the replacement fly—half Elton Jantjies with a very difficult kick from the touchline, a kick which he missed, if only just.

England have a lot to be pleased about. They have now got a very impressive full back in Freddie Steward as safe, apparently, under the high ball as Ireland’s Rob Kearney was, a more than promising fly-half, Marcus Smith, and two very good youthful scrum-halves, Raffi Quirke and Harry Randall, ready to take over when Jones calls time on the vastly experienced Ben Youngs – though I would be surprised if Youngs doesn’t start the Six Nations against Scotland at Murrayfield on the tournament’s first weekend.

It is rare to see an England pack as comprehensively thumped as this one was, especially in the second half. Jones was, of course, compelled to field a young inexperienced front row. (“Compelled “is perhaps the wrong word since he could have called up Mako Vunipola.)

Still, it’s unlikely that England will be so weak again up-front, and in any case, this Springbok pack is the best in the world now. All the same, for an international team to concede eighteen penalties, is rare and, for English fans, worrying.

If the match at Twickenham was a case of hard pounding, a brutal infantry battle for most of the 80 minutes, the one in Paris was heavenly stuff for spectators with both teams seeking to play attacking rugby.

Of course, it was also a tough forward battle – all good matches are that. Few of us surely want international games to be played in the carefree Barbarians style, which easily leads to an absence of competition for the ball on the ground and even to “after you, Claud” defence.

No doubt the All Blacks were leg-weary and even mind-weary after playing a dozen matches in six different countries over recent months, but, smarting from last week’s defeat in Dublin, they undoubtedly came to Paris determined to win.

The French combination of power and audacity knocked them back in the first half, but, in true New Zealand style, they rallied and cut the deficit till they were only two points behind, and the nerves of French fans were jangling, if not shredded.

Then came a moment of audacity and lovely skill from young Romain Ntamack, the French fly-half, setting off twinkle-footed from behind his own try-line and for a moment, it looked as if France were going to score another “try from the end of the world”.

That didn’t happen because the All Black flanker Ardie Savea killed the ball in his 22, conceding a penalty and receiving a yellow card from Wayne Barnes. The goal was kicked. A few minutes later, the French wing Damien Penaud intercepted a pass and cantered over the line. So France won 40-25 – but what a match!

As for the young French halves, Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack, they have this old-timer babbling of Gareth Edwards and Barry John. They are that good.

So what for the Six Nations? Ireland are in terrific form, and for that reason, may start as favourites. But – a very big “ but”- they have to go to Twickenham and Paris. England are also Paris-bound, where they lost two years ago. Tough, very tough.

Wales are reigning champions and have discovered the knack of winning games without playing impressively. Scotland have England and France at Murrayfield, after beating them both away last season, but they have a dismal recent record against Ireland, especially in Dublin. As for Italy, well, their young team has some quality, but it would be a surprise if they were to win a match.

The only safe prediction is that Six Nations predictions are usually wrong. What one may reasonably hope for, after the strange unreality of last season’s tournament in empty grounds, is that the Gods of Olympus smile on us and give us matches played on dry windless days, even in sunshine.

However, any sun will be near setting when England and Scotland take the field at 4.45 on 5 February, and there can be none when Wales greet France in Cardiff in March since that game is on a Friday evening. Something the Welsh seem to like, God knows why.