Ireland & France clear of field – what we learned from the Six Nations

Here, the PA news agency examines five things learnt from the tournament.

The table doesn’t lie

The final Six Nations table mirrors the global rankings, providing an accurate picture of the balance of power in Europe. Ireland and France will lead the northern hemisphere’s charge at the World Cup this autumn, Scotland are a quality outfit but not equipped to topple the giants, England and Wales are mired in crisis and rapidly-improving Italy just lack the composure at critical moments needed to be truly competitive. As a spectacle the 2023 Six Nations delivered lavishly with the round-two collision between Ireland and France international rugby at its thunderous best.

Ireland and France carry the flag

Europe has never been better positioned to produce a second World Cup winner after England’s vintage of 2003, but important questions still hover over both the main contenders. Ireland showed against England that they possess the resolve to match their tactical precision, but can they overcome a history of peaking before the global showpiece to the point they have never progressed beyond the quarter-finals? And France are also carrying psychological baggage as while worthy favourites, there remains a gnawing doubt over their ability to cope with the pressure of performing at a home World Cup that was given fuel by their wobble against Scotland in round three.

England in the doldrums

Steve Borthwick faces an almighty challenge (Adam Davy/PA)

Steve Borthwick’s men climbed off the canvas and came out swinging against Ireland, showing the resilience that was missing in their record home defeat by France a week earlier. Appetite for the fight was the minimum requirement in Dublin and they battled themselves to a standstill, repairing some of the damage inflicted at Twickenham. But with no more competitive games until the World Cup, Borthwick faces the impossible task of addressing the myriad shortcomings left by the Eddie Jones era. On the plus side the set-piece has improved, but overall this Six Nations has exposed the depth of English rugby’s malaise.

Sexton strides the Six Nations pantheon

Johnny Sexton is to retire after the World Cup (Brian Lawless/PA)

As Johnny Sexton limped off apparently injured during the act of stopping Jamie George from scoring a try with typical disregard for self-presentation, the Aviva Stadium rose in standing ovation for one of the all-time greats. It was fitting that the 37-year-old fly-half signed off by replacing Ronan O’Gara as the Championship’s leading points scorer of all time and he remains Ireland’s single most influential figure heading into the World Cup. Antoine Dupont confirmed his status as the sport’s foremost player by running rings around England and Wales in a dazzling finish, while Finn Russell amply illustrated his own genius, but this tournament belonged to Sexton.

Red card divide

Freddie Steward is sent off by Jaco Peyper (Brian Lawless/PA)

It was an opinion-dividing decision to set the alarm bells ringing for the World Cup as Freddie Steward was sent off for catching Hugo Keenan’s head with his elbow as he turned to avoid contact. There was not a hint of malice from one of England’s most affable characters, but as Jaco Peyper meticulously worked through the head contact protocols, it was clear the South African referee had no option but to to reach for the red card. Cue howls of protest along the lines of ‘the game’s gone soft’ and ‘it was a rugby incident’, but Steward’s departure was inevitable given the zero tolerance approach taken to head contact. For all that, the sport collectively holds it breath that a similar incident does not take place in the World Cup final when the fallout would be seismic.