Last week I talked about how England and France shouldn’t expect too much after regime changes and disappointing world cup campaigns. Arguing both COULD win the Six Nations, but it is unlikely and other priorities should come first. This week I look at the what the two teams most often at the bottom of the table should aim for this year – Italy and Scotland.
Italy
In December Rugby World released an article titled ‘Has the Great Italian Experiment failed?’ and by all accounts it has. After joining the then Five Nations to form the Six Nations in 2000, Italy has failed to win the title once. Italy have never won more than two matches in a championship, with their highest position of all time being 4th, winning the wooden spoon 10 out of 16 times. What’s more, they have never got out of the group stage of the World Cup. With Georgia and Romania clamouring for a place in Europe’s most prestigious rugby tournament, what should Italy aim for this year?
To put it simply, scalps. Italy need to show that they deserve to retain their place in the Six Nations. Going out and ‘showing heart’ isn’t good enough any more. Italy needs to start winning games. Their aim this season should be to win three games – perhaps targeting England and France who have just suffered regime changes, as well as targeting Scotland who they do occasionally beat.
It’s time Italy step up and prove they are worth a place in the Six Nations, otherwise calls from Georgia and Romania for a relegation system are only going to get louder.
Scotland
Scotland did well in the World Cup. Only losing to the Springboks in their Pool, and losing narrowly and controversially to Australia in the Quarter-Finals. If Scotland play as well as they did in the World Cup, they have a real shot of winning the tournament this year. Do I think that will happen? No. But that doesn’t mean Scotland this year shouldn’t aim for it.
Scotland’s first two games this year will be tough. England at home followed by Wales away. Scotland also faces Ireland away later in the tournament meaning for the two toughest games this year they are not at Murrayfield. However, the Scots showed they could go toe-to-toe with the Aussies and the Springboks at the World Cup. Though having a couple of players out due to injury, this Scottish team is strong and should not be discounted. It’s an old cliché to see Scotland as the Dark Horse in the Six Nations. However, this year more than ever they can win the tournament – I don’t think they will and I certainly don’t think they will get a Grand Slam, however, building on the success of the World Cup is what Scotland should be aiming for.
Final Thoughts
What is usually the Wooden Spoon race in the Six Nations may not be the case this year. Scotland are a strong team and deserve some success. Italy on the other hand have a point to prove and scalps to win as more and more criticism is levelled at the Six Nations as an establishment for not having a promotion and relegation system. Scotland should aim to win four out of five games, and hopefully the tournament. Italy should aim to win at least three.
my ignorant opinion 