It's A Hard Job But Someone's Got To Do It

Just for your benefit (you can thank me later) I have watched  a lot of international rugby over the past few weeks. The coverage on Amazon was well up to scratch and Channel 4 did a respectable job with the matches they carried. Meanwhile the poor old BBC had to content themselves with the women's internationals in which England's professionals trounced a succession of part-timers, including the normally formidable New Zealanders. I will concentrate on the men's matches.

Having said that the Amazon coverage was fine, I do just have to wonder about the marketing wisdom of playing to such a limited televisual crowd. That's modernity for you.

These are (Italy excepted) exciting times for the Six Nations. Scotland are a slick and professional outfit even if it must be frustrating to play with a player as gifted and yet daft as Finn Russell. He is taken from the mould out of which they cast his coach, Gregor Townsend. I am a fan of both. Just.

Wales have an injury list as long as a lock's arm but come out of the month just about even - they got ripped apart by the All Blacks but were otherwise creditable. Their depth in the back-row is admirable.

Ireland, like Wales, have four professional provincial teams but the Irish versions are a force to be reckoned with whereas Welsh domestic rugby manages to lurch from self-inflicted wound to internecine pig-headedness. The Irish game against New Zealnd was a magnificent test match. Ireland pummelled The All Blacks  remorselessly and yet still the All Blacks stayed in the game. Andy Farrell may just be the best English coach currently operating - Ireland's gain.

simply a great game

France ought to be grateful to the Irish for softening up New Zealand but let us take nothing away from the French victory - a massive psycholgical boost in the continued growth of this French side. I have been saying for two years that France are the value bet for the next RWC. Well, the value has all gone now. However check out the 12/1 available on Ireland in some places. Certainly better value than England at a skinny 4/1.

generational talent - a flanker

Which leaves us with England. England, bloody England. There's no requirement for me to redeploy my anti-Jones opinions. They remain valid but, praise where praise is due, his players demonstrated Herculean resolve to oulast South Africa. Let us bask in the glory whilst we try to forget the eviscerated scrums and the almost suicidal penalty count. A win is a win. In Steward England have unearthed a coin of rare value. Magnificent. Marcus Smith kicked every goal offered to him on Saturday, potentially answering my own reservations about ditching Owen Farrell altogether. Now for some name-dropping. Jeff Probyn once said to me (I've only met him once) that for all but the very greatest, you don't retire from international rugby, it retires you. It's called test rugby for a reason - it's not supposed to be easy.

So, England have much promise and enviable resources. But one last (and I accept repeated) question - if you have a generational player like Tom Curry, why would you play him out of position?