Ireland win the Grand slam.
At long last, they’ve done it!
Against my better judgement they finally managed to win the slam that they have deserved.
They acheived it playing considerably worse than they have done over the past five years or so. The one telling factor has to be their early 2009 get-together, where the whole squad got all their issues out in the open.
This team (I say this because the nucleus of the team has been developed) should have won more games and trophies than they have. Ireland have under acheived on so many levels, the world cup, the six nations, tour matches, whilst having many players selected for the Lions tours.
For the tournament as a whole, I haven’t been impressed with any of the teams, I cannot see southern hemisphere teams looking over their shoulders and keeping a watchful eye on the six nations.
At the next world cup, southern hemisphere teams should carry on winning the competition,not by much, but winning all the same.
Next year’s six nations, I think, should become a seven nations, with the proposed joining of the pumas (Argentina) playing out of Spain. I’d go a step further and allow Georgia or Romania play off for the chance to take up a place in the eight nations!
As for the competition in 2010, I cannot see Ireland retaining their title, as with Wales this time, once the teams solve the puzzle of the reigning champs, they are found wanting. Wales need a stronger set of forwards or they will return to struggling.
