The first weekend of the 2007 Six Nations is over. How was it? Well, the two games on Saturday were nothing special. In both matches there was a completely dominant team and there was no doubt after the first 10 minutes who was going to win. I think the only thing to comment on is Jonny Wilkinson. I was one of the skeptics who felt that picking someone who had only played about 3 hours competitive rugby in the last 3 years was dodgy to say the least. It certainly does not send a good message to the other players that England could call on. I felt that Jonny was being picked as a mascot. I still think he was a mascot but, my, he was a mascot that was worth his weight in gold, he pulled the best out of his team.
Then todays match. Wales vs Ireland. History shows that Ireland travel well to Cardiff. I have seen them live there a number of times and it is always the same. But what a good match. Wales played the more exciting and more exhilarating game. The result so nearly could have been different. Some very poor decisions against Wales didn't help, but not worth complaining about as, on another day, the decisions will go the other way. We just weren't able to capitalise on position. Sadly Czekaj was outclassed, he looked confused by the speed of the game unfolding around him. And it was fast, relentless throughout, even in the last minutes. The welsh gamble for a heavy pack didn't pay off, Ireland kept them at bay, but Peel put constant pressure on the irish and didn't let their forwards ever start to dominate. Wales are stunning to watch, showing the ability to think ahead and make a running game but are just let down by too many errors. Had Wales had just one more secure back, such as Shane Williams, Gavin Henson or Gareth Thomas, this would have been a very different story and I believe Ireland can consider themselves lucky that their aspirations have got off to a secure, if not strong, start.
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