With the Guinness Six Nations tournament coming to a completion this weekend it gives us a good idea where every county is in their rebuilding phase for the next World Cup in 2027. The final table does not tell the true story especially in England's case as it flatters their performance.
England may have finished second but when you take into account France butchered 5 tries in their defeat and Scotland missed all their kicks at goal allowing England to win by one point. England still won however so you cannot deny them the log points, but you have to be realistic at the same time on their performance throughout the tournament.
The Welsh have hit rock bottom with a record loss to England at home and this should be the turning point. The team is starting from scratch with a new set of coaches that will one day bear fruit so patience is required as this is going to be a painful rebuild for any Welsh supporters. Wales came last this season and they deserved the title of wooden spoonists.
Italy the one team that ca run you close for 60 minutes, but fade away in the last 20 minutes due to having no depth in their squad. They are nurturing some young giant forwards and they will be filtering through into the squad soon. Finishing 5th is about right for where their rugby is currently.
Scotland is the one team who could do way better having thrown away victory over England with multiple missed kicks is a sin. Tonight against France they were that close for 60 minutes and again they have no depth with the French replacements tearing them apart eventually blowing them away. The Scots on their day can upset anyone, but are not a tournament winner having to play well and win for multiple games in a row. They are at the same level as England and 3rd or 4th would be a fair reflection.
Ireland in 3rd spot which could have been better as they only lost one game ad are only 3rd because results in other games never went their way. A bonus point here and there would have made a big difference. The team is still finding it's way after losing their play maker Johnny Sexton to retirement and this will take time.
England I have touched on already as they are the the lucky team this year earning two results which would not normally have happened. The squad has not improved and the frailties still exist within the squad. I still say they have the wrong coaching set up and they will struggle in the big games going forward.
The French were the Six Nations Champions this year however it should have been a clean sweep winning the Grand Slam. They have added to their squad and the 7 forward replacements have made such a big difference. The French are now a complete rugby team equipped to take on any team in world rugby. The other teams in the 6 Nations need to do something similar or they will be blown away. Scotland found out tonight that you cannot compete against this tactic ad is somewhat unfair if you cannot match their physicality.
Overall this years Six Nations was a good spectacle with only world rugby taking notice of the French threat as both England and Ireland having gone backwards.