For the ardent rugby fan in Sri Lanka, last weekend was quite a significant one. Up in the northern hemisphere, the curtain came down on, what must be said, was a slightly disappointing six nation’s tournament.
This coincided with the commencement of the schools season proper – enough of this fancy sevens stuff. Bring on the mauls, scrums, and the big hits. In this week’s column we take stock of the big winners, and those who could do with a hot cup of soup and some regrouping.
First, let’s discuss how Europe’s premier tournament unfolded.
Having already pocketed the trophy having held their nerve against Wales, a week prior, Eddie Jones’ reinvigorated England had their sights set on a Grand Slam. A prize last won thirteen years ago by Martin Johnson’s all conquering superstars that went on to win the World Cup later that year. All that stood in their way was a trip to Paris, against a French team that has now long been in decline. Jones is a world class coach. But with such little time to kick start a side, still licking fresh wounds from a disastrous world cup was going to be a tough task. Was he going to wield the axe and commence his reign with a clean slate? Quite to the contrary, the only cleaning out he did was with his coaching staff. Steve Borthwick, his trusted forwards coach during his time with Japan being one of the new faces being brought in. As for the team itself, he chose to stick with the tried and tested, with some tinkering done to fix the more obvious areas that were misaligned. Chris Robshaw, the captain, and open side flanker of the Stuart Lancaster era was tipped to be one of the first on the Australian’s chopping block. Especially after some fierce criticism about him from Jones himself during the World Cup. What did he do? Stripped him of the captaincy and then move him to the blind. What did he get? Probably the most consistent performer in the six nations. A player playing with a new lease of life. The same happened with Billy Vunipola. The human wrecking ball always looked like he was looking over his shoulder under Lancaster. But now he has been set free with a license to play his own game, which is largely built around smashing into people. What a player he was for England, and truth be told he can even get better.
The diminutive tactician has brought that old snarl of England teams back. Appointing Dylan Hartley Captain was the first important step in that direction. It was a bit like making the most troublesome student, the monitor of the class. It worked like a dream, as the dominating English forward pack with their dominant scrum and unstoppable mauling is back on the road. Only now, they seem to have added the bells and whistles with flyers like Anthony Watson, and Jack Knowles out wide. There was a lot of astute thinking behind their selection. No fit barnstorming ‘12’ to pick? Then play two ‘tens’ with the more aggressive one at first Centre. The other issue is that folk of the southern hemisphere prefer to play a specialist ball hounding open side at ‘seven’. This is perhaps one part of the puzzle for which a solution has still eluded Jones. He opted to go with Haskell. This meant that both flankers shared the load of work during the tournament. Another loose end for me is George Ford. He is by far, the weakest link in the chain. The best teams in the world will exploit this. Ford is poor defensively, and is largely very limited with ball in hand. His club form prior to the tournament was also patchy to say the least. Hence, raised a few eyebrows when he was selected as the leading candidate. The Wallabies, who host England for a three-test series will be hoping Ford is still around and in the mix when June comes along.
The game against the French was close. But in all honesty, England were always in control. Jubilant scenes followed the final whistle. The RFU couldn’t have dreamt for a better start. Spare a though for poor Lancaster though.
England should not get ahead of themselves though. All the teams they played in this competition are several levels below the likes of New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa. France are still in abyss, trying desperately to recapture their old flair. Scotland have improved, but still lack enough top quality internationals. The Welsh haven’t been at their best, and Ireland are going through a period of rebuilding. The lesser said about Italy, the better. The summer tour to Australia will really give everyone a true understanding of where they rank in world rugby. Manu Tuilagi is certain to return, and probably take the inside Centre role. Perhaps then Owen Farrell moves to Fly Half. This would give their backline a lot more steel, which they could well do with, against a more direct and physical opposition.
Rugby’s version of the Ashes will surely be one of the most anticipated sporting series this year. It’s Cheika against Jones – somewhat of a heavyweight contest in its own right.
As for the Sri Lankan schools season, the wait is finally over. There were some interesting match ups to get things underway. Wesley made the trip to Pallakele to take on the Lions in their own den. An uphill task you would imagine, but a game they came to within a whisker of snatching. Being the dominant team, they led 5-0 up until the last quarter before Trinity took advantage of a turnover deep in opposition territory. The Lions went over and converted their score, which they managed to hold on to, despite Wesley launching wave after wave of attack. To be so close, but yet so far seems rather cruel on the Wesleyites, who were searching for their first ever win at Pallekele. But through the disappointment they will know that they are very much in the mix this year, which from a spectator point of view is great. They will be eyeing up the Royalists next week, who were not at their best against DSSC. The defending champions are in somewhat a stage of re-building having lost many of from last year’s team.
S.Thomas’ played St. Joseph’s for the Lady Jayatilleke shield the same day. The Thomians were looking for their first win in three years, having fallen just short in last year’s corresponding fixture. Though they took a slender 5-3 lead into the break, they were the better team by far. They went on to pile on over thirty points on the Joes, running out comfortable winners. Thus the lads from Mount Lavinia have sent a clear message to all that they mean business this year, with a side, well drilled. Their forwards are big and physical, and they have pace out on the wings. They will take some stopping this year.
St. Peter’s also kicked things off against Kingwood, with the former proving too good for the lads from Randles Hill. The Peterites played at a very high intensity, and already look like a contender for the top berth in the group. Science College endured a tricky afternoon against underdogs St. Anthony’s at Ratmalana. Science are tipped to be one of the forerunners this season, but were made to work hard by the spirited Antonians. They have all the ingredients of a good side, but lacked a bit of composure during crucial times.
The last game, played on a Poya day, which is a rarity, was a great disappointment. I saw Dharmarajah play at the sevens, and thought they had some quality to trouble Isipathana. However, the Green shirts piled on thirty points at the short whistle. So one sided was the game that I actually left at that point. Isipathana notched up sixty points in the end. The team look a bit short on quality from the one of last season, but you really have to appreciate their commitment and passion in the way they approach the game.
All in all, it seems like its anyone’s trophy this year. If early signs are anything to go by, we may just have a new champion.
