A tense Six Nations finish awaits. How has the 2015 championship rated?
Nick Mallett (Former South Africa and Italy coach): It’s been competitive and there have been enormous amounts of passion and endeavour, but I haven’t yet seen the skill levels of, say, a New Zealand backline. Perhaps it’s like comparing apples with pears. It is very different playing in 2C compared with 30C.
Dean Ryan (Worcester director of rugby, former England forward, Guardian columnist): I don’t think it’s been a great tournament performance-wise. The only real surprise has probably been Scotland’s lack of wins. Ireland were – and probably still are – a nose ahead of everyone else irrespective of the final weekend.
Martyn Williams (Ex-Wales and Lions flanker): I’ve enjoyed it. It’s been tight and three or four teams could still win it. The game as it is played now is not the open free-flowing spectacle that maybe it was 10 years ago, but that’s just the nature of the way things develop.
Denis Hickie (Former Ireland wing): It’s been excellent. It’s been very reflective of the way contemporary rugby is played. That brings its own excitement. People are always looking for the perfect tournament but I don’t think the Six Nations has ever been about that.
What has been your highlight?
MW: The second half of Wales against Ireland, without a shadow of a doubt. Particularly the noise when Wayne Barnes gave that penalty for Jonathan Sexton going over the top.
NM: The England v Wales game was outstanding. There was more maturity about England in the second half and good variety in their attack.
DR: The Wales-Ireland game, but overall the tournament has been too defence focused.
DH: England v Wales, the opening fixture of the tournament, was great. Last week in Cardiff was fantastic, too, and I’ve enjoyed all Scotland’s games.
What has disappointed you the most?
DR: Drama-wise it has been everything the Six Nations always is. But in terms of an attacking side lighting up the championship, there hasn’t been one.
MW: The one area where you would like to see sides improve is their attacking ability. And Sunday’s Italy-France game was horrendous.
NM: If New Zealand create six try-scoring opportunities, they’d be very frustrated not to score four of them. England had eight opportunities against Scotland and scored three.
Would it be better to play the three games on ‘Super Saturday’ simultaneously
DH: I’m not in that camp at all. I don’t think it’s in anyone’s interests to have three matches played side by side. Supporters can only watch one at a time and it doesn’t work for TV either. The teams playing earlier might feel aggrieved, but everyone knows the fixture list before the tournament starts.
MW: Saturday will be great theatre. England are going to know exactly what they need to do, but it’s great for the supporters.
Wales v Italy will kick things off in Rome. How do you see it unfolding?
MW: Italy’s Sunday result was not a good thing for Wales. The Italians are an emotional team and having been nilled at home in a dire performance you’ll only see them come out one way. Italy are always strong up front so it’ll be a big test.
DR: It’ll be interesting. Wales in the first game were awful, but they have performed well since and lifted their game. To beat Ireland last week was outstanding. Wales have left themselves a lot to do, but it’s possible, particularly with Sergio Parisse not playing for Italy.
Can you see Wales scoring enough points?
MW: My biggest concern for Wales is emotionally. Can they get themselves back up after the Ireland game? If they’re going to win the championship they’re probably going to have to win by a margin of 30 points. It would be one of the greatest wins ever if they pull it off.
DR: Wales are without Samson Lee and Gethin Jenkins, but I don’t think they will be particularly interested in scrummaging anyway with a big score to go after. They’ve got nothing to lose and will give it a shot, but my gut feeling is no.
What about Ireland? Their record in Scotland is pretty average
DH: There’s an unfair perception that Ireland just kick the leather off the ball and chase after it like it’s 1983. I don’t think the statistics back that up. Look at last week. Ireland kicked very little in the second half. The most impressive part of Ireland’s game remains their multi-phase play and their accuracy with the ball. I don’t think they’re far off from where they want to be.
DR: Two years ago, when I was involved with Scotland, the Irish were all over us and still lost. But I was really disappointed with Scotland last week. The lack of physicality really surprised me. I’d shared everyone’s optimism, but I was surprised how tame they were.
NM: Ireland are a possession-based team who don’t take risks. It’s brought them success and I can’t see them doing anything different. They’ll hope Scotland try to move the ball around the field and back their choke tackles and solid defence to win them turnovers. If Scotland play fast and loose it’s going to play into Ireland’s hands.
England may need a favour from Scotland. Any prospect of it?
NM: In the back of your mind always has to be Scotland’s performance against Italy when they were absolutely dreadful.
DR: Ireland haven’t really hit the heights of performance, but you still get the feeling they’re capable of it. Having watched last week’s game at Twickenham, I don’t see how Scotland can win.
And so to Twickenham. Do France have a puncher’s chance?
NM: They haven’t really got an attacking gameplan that makes sense. You’ve got no idea what they’re trying to do. There’s no pattern you can pick up. If France sit back, defend well and wait for turnovers, they could be dangerous. But I don’t see them being patient enough. It’s just not in their genetic make-up. I don’t have any idea how they’re going to play and I don’t know if Philippe Saint-André has any idea either. Although, if France can stick one over Les Rosbifs they’ll want to do it. They hate losing to England more than any other team on the planet.
MW: France can’t get any worse.
DR: To go on a run-chase against France is potentially risky. There are some decent players in that team. It’s not the Marc Lièvremont era; they’re not that pissed off with each other. They’ve looked awful, but they still look tight.
How big a game is this for England?
NM: In the three years Stuart Lancaster has been coaching them they haven’t won the competition. But before a World Cup there is a lot of psychological advantage to be had from going into a World Cup as Six Nations champions. They’ll be talking about getting the win first and foremost because France can produce an excellent performance out of nowhere.
DR: England haven’t looked convincing. The second half of the Welsh game will be the glimmer of hope they’re clinging to. In terms of World Cup planning, I’m not sure they’ll be overly worried about losing out on a Six Nations title. What they don’t want to do is finish with a loss to France. That’s the major priority.
MW: England have been the most attractive team to watch, they’ve really tried to play. But if they lose to France they might have a few demons when they play Australia and Wales at Twickenham. For England, maybe more than anyone else, this weekend is huge.
DH: Notwithstanding the fact England could still be champions, I thought they would have made more progress in this tournament. Winning the championship would really put them back on track, but, having lost to Ireland, a loss to France would be another big blow to them.
Before we hear your title predictions, who has caught your eye behind the scrum?
NM: Jonathan Joseph. From the first game he has made a difference to England’s midfield. I was very disappointed he was substituted against Ireland. I’ve also been very impressed with George Ford.
DR: Johnny Sexton. He’s been head and shoulders above everyone else. Just phenomenal.
MW: Jonathan Joseph has been a breath of fresh air. He’s been fantastic for Bath, but you never quite know if players will do the same at international level. I love that kind of player. They’re the sort you pay to watch.
DH: I didn’t know a huge amount about him before the tournament, but the Scotland centre Mark Bennett has been hugely impressive. Scotland have a few other talented players emerging as well.
And the most impressive forward?
MW: Luke Charteris has been a revelation. He has been integral to Wales’s last two wins, as important as any other player.
DR: Alun Wyn Jones. I’m not sure that Welsh pack is competitive without him. They should wrap him in cotton wool.
NM: Luke Charteris. Tight forwards are doing an incredible amount around the field now. I’m in awe of the work rate of these guys.
DH: Alun Wyn Jones has had a very influential tournament. Sam Warburton also had a fantastic game last week.
Will the outcome have any direct effect on the World Cup?
MW: I don’t think it will have any bearing. Four years ago Wales had a shocking Six Nations and went on to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup.
NM: There’s a definite upswing in confidence in the northern hemisphere. This is going to be the most competitive World Cup we’ve seen. Wales, England and Australia will be a horrendous pool.
DR: World Cup year does make it different. Someone will be jumping about with a trophy, but the two runners-up will also be happy they’ve got through in reasonable shape.
DH: If Ireland were to lose two back-to-back matches they would consider it a setback. But even then they’d still have won 11 of their last 13 games.
Which nation has the capacity to improve most between now and the World Cup?
MW: Scarily, I’d have to say England. For a Welsh fan to say that says a lot. But Warren Gatland still has an uncanny knack of getting his team in great physical and mental shape before big games and knockout tournaments.
NM: I’ve been really impressed with what Joe Schmidt has done with Ireland, even if they depend a lot on referees giving them penalties. England? They are creating opportunities and soon they’re going to start taking them. They will be a real threat at the World Cup.
DH: All the home nations have made some progress during this tournament. Even Scotland will be encouraged by some of what they’ve done.
Who is going to win the title?
NM: I remember saying at the outset that Ireland and the winner of the Wales-England game would be there at the end. Full credit to Wales for fighting their way back into contention but the advantage is with England. A win over France will be enough. I don’t think they’ll need to win by 15 or 20 points because I can’t see Ireland beating Scotland by 20 points.
DH: I don’t think anyone really knows. That’s the beauty of it. I am hopeful for Ireland – if they were playing their last match at home they’d be heavy favourites – but England are very much in the driving seat. They will know exactly what they have to do, they won last week and they are at home.
DR: Ireland, England, Wales in that order. Ireland will win with enough points and England will win, but not by enough. Wales will have a really good crack, but a couple of tries for Italy could spoil things for them.
MW: On any given day Wales, England and Ireland can all beat each other. If it was a final match at the Millennium Stadium I’d always back Wales, but my gut feeling is that it’s England’s title to lose. I hope it’s Wales, but I think it’s going to be England.
Tune in to the climax of the 2015 Six Nations on Saturday exclusively live on the BBC
