The arrival of spring was enough to make even a curmudgeonly character like Philip Larkin raise a smile. “It will be spring soon,” the famously glum old English poet wrote in Coming. “And I, whose childhood is a forgotten boredom, feel like a child who comes on a scene of adult reconciling, and can understand nothing but the unusual laughter, and starts to be happy.”
It was to the sweet sounds of the thrush in the lengthening evenings that Larkin was responding, but fans of rugby – and Larkin, it would seem, was one – may just recognise the same sense of unexpected glee. It is easy to be a cynic about the state of elite sport, to be melancholic about the great game of yesteryear or fearful for the future, but this Six Nations has proved again what a beguilingly beautiful thing rugby’s grand old championship can be.
Consider the preconceived notions strengthened in the opening round of this edition, and those which have been demonstrably disproved. After that first weekend, one could feel surer in stating that Ireland were a side in decline with their glory years beyond them, and paint England as an upwardly mobile side talking in triumphant tones of a final-day deluge into Paris. Scotland appeared on the brink of regime change after an era had run its course; Wales were confronting more existential questions. If France still control their own destiny entering that which is appropriately termed “Super Saturday”, there will be no grand slam to gild back-to-back triumphs – and it is not inconceivable that Fabien Galthie’s side could fall short of even that if Steve Borthwick’s side stir as they hope.
Only Italy’s history-makers were perhaps correctly pegged – forgive us if mentions of the Azzurri are scarce hereafter, with the top of the table more squarely our focus. The confounding of expectations has left us a three-way title tussle that will mean the victor is known only after 11pm local time in the depths of a Parisian night. While the drama is spoilt somewhat by the fact that France will know what they have to do in relation to the result between Ireland and Scotland earlier, the sprawl of the fixtures across a Saturday afternoon and evening will provide a spectacular end to a tournament of twists and turns.
For that, we do have Scotland to thank. From apparent ruination in Rome, Gregor Townsend’s side now stand on the brink of a first title of the Six Nations era after a mid-tournament transformation that felt unlikely ahead of the Calcutta Cup. After defeat to Italy, even Townsend himself appeared subdued as he dealt with probing questions both about his future and his approach. Was this still a squad united around their head coach? Could Townsend take the team to another level? Since an England win that turned the tide, those questions have been answered.
The day before that success against the Auld Enemy, Sione Tuipulotu had spoken with real fervour about how his team owed both themselves and their coach a performance, and that spirit has remained through the fixtures since. Along the way, they have played with an ambition, accuracy and invention befitting title contenders – the speed of thought and foot shown by Finn Russell’s quickly taken restart against Wales summed up Scotland, as did the three variations of similar strike moves pivoting around Tuipulotu that they used to cut France apart. It has put them in exalted, unexplored air; a success would be of huge significance.
“I’ve won a few titles, but winning something with Scotland, especially the Six Nations, would definitely be the peak of my career,” said Russell after the 50-40 win over France.
“When you start playing for Scotland, you always want to win it. We’ve never put ourselves in a position where we can win it. Now we’re in that position, it’s all to play for this weekend. It’s new territory for us going into the last game with a chance to win it.”
The problem for Scotland’s title hopes is that they must now find a solution to the big question they have failed to answer under Townsend. Eleven times since the head coach’s arrival in 2017 they have tried to beat Ireland; 11 times they have failed, often in ignominy. It is a run that stands in contrast to the strides made against England and France during Townsend’s tenure; swap, say, a couple of Calcutta Cups for a Centenary Quaich or two and Scotland might have been more regular Six Nations contenders.
Ireland have been a high-class operation in that period but it is hard to assess why they have been quite so dominant. While there is a genuine rancour to the rivalry, and slightly strange suggestions of Scottish arrogance from some across the Irish Sea, that should work both ways, but too often Townsend’s team has failed to find the intensity required of them in this fixture.
Given all that is on the line, with a triple crown a consolation prize if France take care of business against England, it would be a surprise if that is the case again. “The record becomes irrelevant when next week comes around,” said Ireland boss Andy Farrell of the winning run.
“I say it every year, I think they’re a great side. I think they’re a talented side. They’re well-coached. They’ve had some big wins. They’ve put it to France time and time again, which shows the character that’s in them. We’re expecting a massive game and the record doesn’t come into it because it’s a proper Test match.”
Ireland have undergone their own metamorphosis from the cocooned state in which they embarked upon this campaign. Given a dressing-room dressing-down by a frustrated Farrell after defeat to France, the last couple of weeks has felt more like the Ireland of old, even if Wales proved plucky prey. The return of Dan Sheehan, Joe McCarthy and Josh van der Flier adds yet more clout to the pack; of the Irish matchday 23, only Van der Flier, Tadhg Furlong and Garry Ringrose have experienced defeat to Scotland. That knowhow may prove significant.
There will be a few anxious hours for the Six Nations organisers with trophy presentations to arrange in Dublin and Paris but only one required, a task made tougher by the loss of one of two identical prizes in a van fire last month.
While one of Ireland and Scotland will similarly see their silverware go up in smoke with defeat, the victor will go top of the table and turn eager eyes to the Stade de France ready to roar England on – a strange situation for either nation that nonetheless befits this championship of capricious charm.
Ireland bring back big guns for Six Nations title tilt against Scotland
The vital next step Wales must take against Italy to end long Six Nations losing streak
The shift in strategy behind England’s bid to salvage Six Nations against France
Itoje issues rallying cry for England to end dire Six Nations on high
Farrell says ‘anything can happen’ as Ireland hope for England favour
England must find a new way against France – or crisis could be the end for Borthwick
