Six Nations Teams Face Critical Questions After Captivating Championship
Ahead of the inaugural Nations Championship this July, each Six Nations side has significant questions to address following a fascinating tournament that has perfectly set up the next eighteen months of international rugby. While modern rugby union sometimes suffers from hyperopia with an obsession over World Cup cycles, this Six Nations has provided an excellent foundation as teams build toward Australia 2027.
The Nations Championship Challenge
The launch of the new Nations Championship will serve as another excellent gauge of where each team stands. In July, England, Scotland and Wales face a tricky itinerary with games against South Africa, Argentina and Fiji, while France, Ireland and Italy take on New Zealand, Australia and Japan. The competitiveness and complexity of this Six Nations has left each side with considerable thinking to do and questions to answer as they look ahead to the international action to come.
France – Address Defensive Deficiencies
Assessing what comes next for France is complicated by the fact that Fabien Galthie will likely select a second-string side for their summer tour. The predominance of the Top 14, which extends until the end of June, limits the players that the head coach can select. With their meeting against the All Blacks just seven days after the domestic final, expect a significantly different looking French side to take the field in Christchurch.
This approach has worked to their advantage in the past, with Galthie bringing through several players who have become Six Nations regulars during that July window. However, a need to build cohesion in a relatively young squad was highlighted by the defensive deficiencies exploited by both Scotland and England at the end of the campaign. Antoine Dupont and Matthieu Jalibert were both caught out defending in the 13 channel during the final game.
Questions have been raised about whether Shaun Edwards remains as influential within the environment, while centre Gael Fickou's defensive discipline was noticeably missed. The 31-year-old may well lead France on their summer tour and bring up a century of caps, potentially providing a useful voice within the squad more generally.
Ireland – Figure Out Prop Priorities
While a title may have eluded them, this was a pleasing campaign for Ireland in many ways, managing to both compete for the crown and rebuild simultaneously. If concerns remain about the squad's age profile, the emergence of Stuart McCloskey, Robert Baloucoune, Tommy O'Brien and Jamie Osborne has created freshness in the backline, with Mack Hansen and Hugo Keenan still to return.
Concerns persist up front, however, with an injury crisis at loosehead exacerbating existing problems with Ireland's scrum. Getting Andrew Porter and Paddy McCarthy back will be crucial, while a decision must be made regarding Tom O'Toole, a tighthead by trade who filled in admirably on the left of the front row. Does he now deserve a shot at his preferred prop position?
Tadhg Furlong is perhaps beginning to show his age after several injury-plagued years, while back-up Finlay Bealham is older still. Thomas Clarkson was below his best during this campaign. Andy Farrell may take a chance on a young prop for the summer tour, with a game against Japan in Australia providing a useful development opportunity.
Scotland – A Look to the Future?
The Ireland monkey remains firmly on Scotland's back, with their progress inhibited by an inability to overcome their least favourite opponent. Losing both locks was a significant blow ahead of the trip to Dublin, but Gregor Townsend's team never quite matched Ireland's back five intensity. Meetings with Argentina and South Africa will certainly test them in this regard.
It's challenging to know what to do with a settled squad that has much to like about it. Could Townsend be bolder in looking to the future? There are signs he may be starting to do so with some Scotland A selections, with several promising talents now knocking on the door. It was surprising to see Glasgow hooker Gregor Hiddleston not get a chance during this campaign, while flanker Freddy Douglas's time will surely come.
The similarity in profile between Douglas and Rory Darge as elite jackal threats may present selection issues. Positive reports surround young tighthead Ollie Blyth-Lafferty, while strong indications of Jack Dempsey moving to Japan would create a significant vacancy in terms of back row carrying punch.
Italy – Find a Ruthlessness
Italy's time as perennial underdogs is clearly now in the past, and Gonzalo Quesada must continue to drive a mentality shift within his squad. Italy struggled to convert their chances during this competition, with their efficiency in the 22 remaining an ongoing concern despite possessing gifted attacking individuals.
Their basics are now largely at a high level; the challenge lies in layering on the next stage of development. One area that let them down was Paolo Garbisi's kicking. The fly half finished the competition with a 72 percent success rate, and there were times when his decision-making in attack could have been better.
Still a competent game manager, the midseason arrival of Tomas Albornoz to Toulon has put pressure on the 25-year-old's place. Garbisi possesses the quality to kick on again and lift Italy to a new level of performance.
England – Strategise for the Springboks
Strange though it may sound, England feel confident they can travel to Johannesburg for their Nations Championship opener and run South Africa close. Immediately following an overdue showing against France, senior players within the squad were speaking with excitement about the opportunity ahead.
This represents a chance to right the wrongs of this campaign and secure the signature away success that still eludes this group. Australia demonstrated last year in the Rugby Championship that the Springboks are not unbeatable at Ellis Park, particularly in the first game of a campaign when Rassie Erasmus's squad is still coming together.
England will need to be at their absolute best, however, and brave in their approach. Getting George Martin fit to add second row heft could prove crucial, while England's senior players – who fell short of their best for too much of the Six Nations – must stand up and drive the environment as they managed ahead of the France game.
Wales – Continue Finding Signs of Progress
With the long wait for a Six Nations victory finally over, Wales can now look for other tangible signs of progress. Getting Fiji first up in July in Cardiff should benefit Steve Tandy, given the Pacific Islanders tend to build to their best during the course of a campaign.
The unusual scheduling of that game gives Wales the opportunity to build more connection with a home crowd even in what is technically an away fixture. It will likely become trickier beyond that, but Tandy can benchmark against performances against South Africa and Argentina from November to gauge his side's development.
Within this process will be a need not to panic if things go awry. There is clearly spirit and strength developing despite troubling backdrop issues surrounding the national team. Two challenging away trips can provide significant learning experiences for this developing Welsh side.
