Six Nations ‘Super Saturday’ awaits and it has become a popular triple-header to bring the curtain down on the annual tournament. The only thing that would make it even more super is if the games ran simultaneously.
Of course, it is a made-for-television blockbuster schedule which runs for the best part of eight hours. Wales versus Italy kicks off at 2.15pm UK time and the France-England finale is destined to conclude a few minutes before 10pm. Ireland are well placed to clinch another title in game two, in front of their home crowd in Dublin, but just imagine if there was an unexpected twist.
With the current timetable, those playing earlier have to go for broke, but they are essentially playing blind, as rivals in later games have the benefit of knowing exactly what they need to do. Anything that creates such an imbalance is inherently unfair.
So, if Scotland were to upset Ireland in Dublin, Andy Farrell and his squad could be left waiting and fretting and hoping. That creates its own type of intrigue, but it would be even better if all the teams were having to adapt to live, unfolding events elsewhere.
Imagine the tension and the drama if a try in the Irish capital instantly changed the equation in Lyon. Imagine the buzz of joy or despair if a passage of play in one city fundamentally impacted on the scenario in another, for better or worse, and the message was relayed by crowd noise, as well as by coaches dressed as water-carriers.
‘Super Saturday’ would be made even better if the three games were held simultaneously
If Scotland were to upset Ireland in Dublin, Andy Farrell and his squad could be left waiting and fretting and hoping.
In fact, there is no need to imagine it, as it is a format which has been perfected by Premier League football and is also akin to singles day in the Ryder Cup. The roar from another fairway or green is a powerful means of either inspiring or demoralising other players.
There isn’t even really a strong broadcasting argument against it these days, although no doubt TV executives and producers would rail against such a view. We live in a multi-screen, multi-platform, multi-everything age.
In these parts, games are on terrestrial anyway so one could be on BBC 1, one on BBC2 and one on ITV – or BBC1, ITV1 and ITV2; depending on the rights break-down. Those who are tech-savvy would be able to have a TV showing one game, another on a laptop and the third on a phone or iPad. Easy. And a lot of pubs have several screens which could cope with the varied demand.
What it would mean is a guarantee of the trophy being presented in a packed or at least populated stadium, to avoid the after-thought of suited-and-booted players waiting to receive it in an empty arena or hotel function room. Imagine if Scotland beat Ireland this weekend and it all rests on France v England, but Ireland still take the title. The ceremony will feel low-key and hollow.
Netflix would surely love to capture a rollercoaster day of three simultaneous matches. It would create such raw, fluctuating emotion, which is manna from heaven for their documentary-making purposes. This should be properly discussed for future years. Fairness and box-office appeal over pragmatism please.
But this time, expect Ireland to win it properly in front of their fans anyway. Thoughts and prayers with the Scots, having to deal with Andy Farrell’s men in wounded-beast mode.
Italy belong among European elite
Before the championship began, this column bemoaned the predictability of Italy’s annual failure to compete – noting how the Azzurri had finished with the mythical wooden spoon in each of the last eight years, and in 18 of their 24 campaigns.
The point was about the need for a meritocracy and earning the right to stay involved. Now, Italy have done that. It was glorious to watch the emotional scenes in Rome on Saturday as a full house saw Gonzalo Quesada’s side topple Scotland.
It was a victory which provided long overdue, fresh proof that they belong among the European elite. There should still be a relegation play-off each year, to see if the team who finish bottom will be replaced, but if it happened this year, that team wouldn’t be Italy.
They should be on for three wins after a near-miss shot for glory in France last month – and there are continuing signs of more talent bursting through at age-group level, which will provide far more Italian depth than either Wales or Scotland can muster.
The Welsh will be on red alert about the potential for a fifth campaign defeat when Quesada’s side come to Cardiff on Saturday – but the difference this time, unlike in 2022, is that it would be no shock at all.
Italy proved they belong among the European elite in victory against Scotland
Six Nations team of the week
G Furbank (Eng); L Lynagh (Ita), G Fickou (Fra), T Menoncello (Ita), J Lowe (Ire); P Garbisi (Ita), N Le Garrec (Fra); E Genge (Eng), J George (Eng), GH Colombe (Fra); G Martin (Eng), F Ruzza (Ita); C Ollivon (Fra), B Earl (Eng), M Lamaro (Ita).
Le Garrec’s pass was reckless brilliance
What Nolann Le Garrec did at the Principality Stadium on Sunday was rare and wonderful madness. The Racing 92 scrum-half’s astonishing, 40-metre reverse pass launched a France attack, but it could have just as easily gifted a try to Wales.
It was reckless brilliance. Well, let the coaches worry about the reckless part – the rest of us can just marvel at the brilliance and the sheer, youthful audacity. It’s more than that too; it’s a cause for celebration these days when any player veers off script, as the sport has become so meticulously scripted at international level.
There are too many damn scripts – stemming from endless, forensic analysis and data – and they stifle self-expression. Everything is micro-managed down to scenarios for every phase, from every single blade of grass. To hell with all that – people want to see acts of individuality and Le Garrec’s was a classic of the genre. Hopefully, he has not been beaten into line during the debrief in the French camp.
Nolann Le Garrec could easily have gifted Wales a try with his audacious pass at the weekend
Last Word
The rugby world will be absorbed by the climax of the Six Nations this weekend, but on Sunday there is a jackpot line-up of Test action at the Stade Jean Bouin in Paris. Finals day in the Rugby Europe Championship features four matches, with the first kicking off at midday local time and the last at 9pm. With tickets for the whole lot costing as little as 20 Euros, it would be well worth a cross-Channel outing.
The title decider at the end features Georgia – perennial champions, now coached by Richard Cockerill – against World Cup dare-devil darlings, Portugal. That one is worth more than the entrance money alone. But before that, there’s a bronze final between Romania and Spain – and there should be no love lost after the East Europeans reported a player eligibility breach which led to the Spanish being ejected from the World Cup.
The Netherlands and Germany will compete to finish fifth and both countries are showing signs of on-field progress and growing public interest in the sport. In game one, Poland and Belgium will meet in a desperate tussle to avoid last place. The finals format is a smart initiative and deserves a good turn-out.
