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Congratulations to England the Six Nations Champions
| Played | Won | Drawn | Points | |
| England | 5 | 4 | 0 | 8 |
| Ireland | 5 | 4 | 0 | 8 |
| Scotland | 5 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| Wales | 3 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| France | 5 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| Italy | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
The six Nations kicked off on Saturday 3rd February. This was Italy's second year in the Championship. The conclusion of the championship was been delayed due to the Foot & mouth crisis and the following matches were played in October:
October 13 Wales 6 Ireland 36
October 20 Ireland 20 England 14
What does this competition mean in the professional era? It is still a tournament full of passion and engenders immense Nationalistic pride.
Here are some
Famous quotes:
Phil Bennett's dressing room address Wales v England 1977 - "Look what these bastards have done to Wales. They've taken our coal, our water, our steel. They buy our houses and only live in them for a fortnight every 12 months. What have they given us? Absolutely nothing. We've been exploited, raped, controlled and punished by the English - and that's who you are playing this afternoon".
Clive Woodward on the Five Nations 1999 - "Winning is everything. If I wanted entertainment I'd play Pavarotti at Prop and Cliff Richard at stand-off"
Gareth Chilcott on England v Wales 1987 - "For the first 10 minutes they could have taken the ball off the park and none of us would have noticed".
England
Disappointing in the World Cup, and missing out on the Grand Slam last year, the highly critical top brass will expect nothing less than this being achieved this year. A win over France at Twickenham may well be the Championship decider. Traditionally England's strength lies in the forwards, but the back devision now has considerable strength in depth. Yet again a good pairing at half-back in Matt Dawson and Jonny Wilkinson.
England 80 Italy 23
Ten tries in the end saw the demolishion of Italy. 47 points were scored
in the second half without reply.Jonny Wilkinson scored 35 points.
Italy put up a tremendous display in the first half and actually led
20-17 in the second quarter of the game.
England 43 Scotland 3
England regained the Calcutta Cup and were once again a class above the opposition. Balshaw and Dallaglio scored two tries each.
England 48 France 19
French hearts where broken with a typical second half rout by England whose superior fitness levels told particularly in the last 10 minutes. England trailed at half-time after some bursts of brilliance from the French backs with a try from Bernat-Salles. Dominici could easily have scored twice for France showing incredible pace on the left. In the End England cruised home with a total of 6 tries. Wilkinson converted all of them as well as adding 2 penalties to surpass Rob Andrew's points record in just 27 Test appearances with 407 points.
France
Second favourites for the Championship behind England. The French Pack showed promising development in the autumn Internationals. Christophe Lamaison will be the key play maker.
France 16 Scotland 6
A dour encounter in a mistake ridden match. Scotland showed early promise in the first fifteen minutes which thereafter evaporated. Injury to Gregor Townsend may see him miss the next two matches.
France 35 Wales 43
A truly magnificent spectacle. Played on a perfect Spring day. After 30 minutes, the French led 19-6 and it looked as if they had the game wrapped up. Then a brilliant solo try from Robert Howley following a typical Scott Quinnell burst from the back of the scrum. Howley broke away from the Welsh 22 to run the length of the field; Neil Jenkins passed 1000 points for his country and rounded off the day with a try in the closing minutes of the match.
Ireland
Ireland have not managed two wins in the Championship since 1993. Ireland will be looking to its talented youngsters to revive the emerald Isle's hopes. Ronan O'Gara has yet again displayed considerable form in the European Cup competition, and there is the inspirational Keth Wood.
Ireland 22 France 15
Although out pointed on the try count 2-1, It was O'Driscoll's try coverted by O'Gara followed by a further 5 penalties from O'Gara that sealed this one for the Irish Irland had not beaten France in Dublin for 18 years.
Ireland 20 England 14
Another inspirational performance by the Irish and it was the turn of this Celtic Nation to deny England a Grang Slam and Triple Crown for the Third successive Season. David Humphrey was masterly with his boot and it was fitting that Keith Wood scored Ireland's only try.
Italy
Diego Dominguez has been persuaded to play another International season. The Italiens have a strong front three. According to their coach, Brad Johnstone, he has 12 players of International standard with 10 others in the squad with potential.
Italy 22 Ireland 41
After early inital pressure, the Irish romped home.Rob Henderson scored a hat trick of tries
Italy 19 France 30
France scored two converted tries in the first half hour.Christophe Lamaison kicked 15 points.
Italy 23 Wales 33
A mistake ridden match which left little to make this a memorable encounter; Howley was a late withdrawl from the welsh side which saw Cooper make his debut. It was he who scored the opening try. Scott Gibbs was man of the match.
Scotland
Scotland, Five Nations champions in 1999, again lost their opening match this time to France. McGeechan, the Scotland coach, has yet to see his team achieve its full potential. The loss of Gregor Townsend is a considerable set back.
Scotland 28 Wales 28
A classic Scotland Wales encounter. Scotland come back after being 19
points down shortly into the Second half
Had Logan had his kicking boots on the Scots would have won.
Scotland 23 Italy 19
Another good display from the Italians which prevented total domination of the overall game by the Scots from being converted into points. Scotland only managed to clinch the win by Duncan Hodge landing two penalties in the final quarter.
Scotland 32 Ireland 10
This result completely upset the form book. Tries through Pountney, Smith, Leslie and Henderson. Ireland only crossed the line once through Dempsey. Keith Wood described the Irish's performance as miserable and disappointing.
Wales
Wales went into the first game against England with high hopes after good performances in the Autumn Internationals
Wales 15 England 44
A very disappointing start to the Championship for the Welsh. England scored a total of six tries. The difference in the teams lay in the decisiveness of the English backs - Wilkinson and Catt spreading the ball widewith long passes.
A hat trick of tries for Will Greenwood, two for Matt Dawson and one to Ben Cohen. Consolation tries for Rob Howley and Scott Quinnell.
Neil Jenkins's set yet another record surpassing 1000 in International Rugby. The Welsh were very disappointing against England and were simply outclassed on the day, yet again.
Wales 6 Ireland 36
This was a dismal sisplay by the Welsh whilst the Irish were full of
passion and inventiveness. This was the game that teed up the Irish for
their win over England the following week
