Six Nations format is desperately flawed, says Stuart Barnes

Sky Sports pundit Stuart Barnes says the Six Nations format is desperately flawed, but he is expecting an exciting finale in the final weekend of competition...

Round four of the Six Nations started with a bang in Cardiff and ended with a whimper in the Eternal City. Three matches in which the whole spectrum of rugby was observable; the heroic intensity of Wales versus Ireland gave way to the fast, flittering pace of the less claustrophobic affair at Twickenham before the anti-climactic finale in Rome where the game was so slow the eighty minutes seemed like eighty years. It took one hell of an effort not to pick up my book and turn the television off.

The format is desperately flawed. As with final weekends of regular seasons, all games should kick off at the same time.

France, with their appalling test match record under Philippe Saint-Andre, was probably pleased enough with a 29-0 victory considering their recent results in Rome. But this was an abject game; for forty minutes it was one of the worst internationals I have seen with neither team capable of even doing the basics adequately.

In the second half France scored one superb try and their pack pounded Italy's, which, ugly or not, should serve as a warning for England next Saturday. The reputably formidable Italian scrum was overwhelmed. Maybe France still has one weapon capable of hurting decent teams. Whether one sole weapon - oh alright, I’ll give them the driving line out too - is enough against top tier teams is not so much doubtful as proven to be inadequate. Look at their recent results.

France has an abject record away from home under this regime. There is a reason and we saw that one dimensional reason in the Italian capital. If England loses at home to France the World Cup hosts might as well rip up the best laid plans and start again.

Rampant

On the subject of plans, it was clear that England's is an expansive one, revolving around the consummate craft of George Ford. He played beautifully at the weekend. His partnership with Ben Youngs was extremely slick. That was the best news for England. Other good news was the rampant return of Courtney Lawes. His athleticism adds something substantial to the England pack. When Joe Launchbury finally fits strip the England front five will be a formidable unit.

Plusses also for Billy Vunipola whose ball carrying was never less than potent but any praise comes with a health warning. As much as many are praising Scotland, this team has lost all four of its Six Nations games including a home match against Italy. Vern Cotter has his team playing some slick rugby but the team lacks the power and penetration to be rated as a top tier team.

In the light of this, England's appalling support work, Dylan Hartley's indifferent form and Blair Cowan's ability to make himself a nuisance all take on darkened hues from the perspective of England supporters. The margin of victory should have been doubled the 12 points. Had it been so, who would have been extolling Scotland’s improving team?

The game of the week was without doubt the Wales victory against Ireland. This was the epitome of modern European test match rugby with an endless sequence of smashing tackles and thunderous charges. Warren Gatland was right; both teams did set out to play rugby and in the process provided a gladiatorial spectacle.

Wales won the day with their undaunted defence but Ireland will be kicking themselves for the frequent bouts of white line fever that cost them during their second half siege. The balance of the Irish game toppled over into excessive ballast and for all the possession they won, Joe Schmidt will know he needs to re-tweak the way Ireland plays.

It was a game Wales needed to win to keep in serious contention for this competition but more importantly, to convince themselves they are still potential contenders next autumn. Two home defeats in the Six Nations would have been a dent in Welsh belief.

As it is we have a three way battle for the title. Technically, France could yet prevail but this requires wins for Italy against Wales, Scotland against Ireland and France at Twickenham; which leaves us with that three way battle.

Flawed

First of all, the format is desperately flawed. As with final weekends of regular seasons, all games should kick off at the same time. As it is Wales will not know exactly what they need to do in terms of points difference whereas England, last up, will know to the point what is required. It is unfair on the teams but exciting for the fans.

From an English perspective the most important requirement is the win. A defeat caused because the home team set sanity aside in order to win by a wide margin rather than merely winning would, as I wrote earlier, be the most self-destructive way to finish their season. We in the media are making more of England winning the title than England will.

Yes, after a couple of seconds, a trophy would be good but if three teams finish with the same number of wins who comes first, second or third has no bearing on next autumn and next autumn is what 2015 is all about. But that won’t stop us in the media from hyping it up, it is after all a thrilling way to see the tournament out; so no more killjoy thoughts, Stuart!

Wales are third on points difference but have a forlorn Italy as their opponent. France was poor and beat them 29-0 in the cold and rain. If the weather is dry Wales could run up a cricket score. Ireland's game in Edinburgh appears the trickiest of the three but I think they have the power, skill and understanding to win well. Both these teams could set England a difficult target.

If they do, England must under no circumstances chase it until the win is safe. Ford must take his kicks and England build their lead. In the last 20, if they are clear, this poor French team will slump if out of contention. If in it, their pack could prove a problem.

The English attacking game is growing in ambition. It might be that if they are to be crowned Six Nations champions, we will need to see that improvement in their support play in the final 20 minutes of the tournament.

Good cases can be made for three teams; it should be a thrilling end to what has so far been a less than vintage tournament. My final thought? If, like me, you stayed the course with Italy versus France, then you deserve an unforgettable ending to the 2015 Six Nations; enjoy.

Stuart answers your emails...

Got a question for Stuart? Email him at skysportsclub@bskyb.com, Tweet @SkySportsRugby #askskyrugby or use the feedback form on skysports.com.

Hi Stuart, what do you make of Steve Hansen's comments that rugby is getting boring? – Stuart Bradford

STUART REPLIES: Stuart, I wrote a piece on this subject last week in the Times. He has a point; we in Europe have usually been more negatiely minded than the SH, that is pretty irrefutable, although dropping everything and trying to match the All Blacks at their own game would be a good way to hand them the World Cup.

Morning Stuart. Maro Itoje of Saracens appears to be a big one for the future. Do you see him featuring for England within the next two years? Pam Coomer

STUART REPLIES: Pam, England has riches in the second row but Itoje looks likely to climb the ranks fast. Hugely impressive young man.

Simple one, who of Ireland, Wales and England has the advantage going into the final weekend? – Fergus Gray

STUART REPLIES: Fergus, That is anything but simple... in fact it is complex. Is playing first advantageous or disadvantageous? Is knowing what you have to do help or hindrance? If the points difference of the three teams was within five points I would say Wales... within ten? maybe Wales. Within fifteen... now it gets fun, but simple? Not a chance, Fergus, not a chance!