And we also got Italy, who have been the best thing about this tournament.
For a long time, I was uneasy about Italy in the Six Nations. They did not belong by tradition, they did belong by the overall standard - although all credit to Scotland's decision to become crap, thus ensuring they didn't feel too out of place. Mallet coaxed the odd big win out of them, but where was the consistency? Or the enjoyment factor in watching? Italy's admission was very justifiable in that the standard they had attained shortly before joining the tournament, and the idea that being part of the tournament would help their development to be able to sustain and then pass that level. But the argument falters if the country does not develop. Indeed, the main development that seemed to go on with Italy was other countries using the game to give fringe players a go.
I do not see too many teams doing that next year.
It is not just that they finally recorded two wins for the first time since 2007, but the manner in which they did so. Their complete control of the second half, save for the score board, at Twickenham won't go unnoticed either. The only match in which they truly let themselves down was the game against Scotland, in which a bad day for Orquera led to a disappointingly wide margin that helped contribute to the worst points against tally in the competition. However, even so, the statistics show progress. Italy conceded 111 points and 8 tries. Last year, it was 121 points and 12 tries and the year before that, 138 points and 15 tries. The switching of Andrea Masi and Orquera on defence was a simple move, but one that has paid dividends.
However, it is in attack they have really brightened things up. Under Nick Mallet, they were beginning to regress into a limited team who continually sought territory, played mostly by the pack, and hoped to edge tight games. Jacques Brunel's approach has been a breath of fresh air. Six tries may not sound too impressive, but it does not tell the whole story. Italy made more passes, carries and offloads than any other team - testament to the way they looked to play ball in hand and keep it alive where possible. It paid off with dividends against France. Less so against Scotland, where Orquera's loose offload into the path of Stuart Hogg completely killed Italy's prospects, but it was still very entertaining. It also promises much for Italy - the move had got to that place through some excellent attacking play and had Orquera read Hogg's intentions correctly and simply gone, it was try time. Better to be approaching the fine margins between success and disaster then marooned a million miles away. And, of course, far more entertaining for the fans.
This is all for nothing if they do not continue this next year. Next year they only have two fixtures in Rome, making life more difficult. They must beat Scotland next year if progress is to be real. They must also fancy their chances of taking down England in Rome given the closeness of the last two results. Trips to Cardiff, Dublin and Paris may seem a great deal more difficult, but it is time for Italy to start overcoming such handicaps. Only England retain an unbeaten record against them, a record that looks vulnerable on recent evidence.
It looks vulnerable looking at Italy's team sheet too. No longer do people summarise it as Parisse, Castrogiovanni & Friends - not that it ever really was, but the change in perception has followed ramped-up performances. Andrea Masi has been very good at full-back. People now suggest that the Parisse-Barbieri-Zanni back row is possibly the best in the Championship, and with good reason. Not that Favaro disgraced himself as Barbieri's stand-in against Ireland. Nor Cittadini in Castro's place. Venditti looks a talent, Luke McClean is in fine form, Garcia and Canale have been abrasive and effective in the centres. The only place where Italy arguably look a little weak is the second row, where they have nothing special, and the half-backs, where their options are mercurial to be kind. That's a critical weakness to be carrying at test level,and it might hold them back, but this begins to feel like Italy's time. The majority of Italy's players are now hitting their prime, most of them with plenty of international experience. A notional first team (possibly wrong here) contains only four players with less than twenty caps; Rizzo, the replacement for Lo Cicero, young lock Joshua Furno, scrum-half Botes, and the rampaging wing Venditti. Six of them have over fifty. Only Furno and the wingers are under 28; none of them, with Lo Cicero's impending retirement, yet 31. With the majority of the players at the top of their game, the next few years could see the birth of Italy as a genuine force in the competition.
Of course, the age profile carries a risk; in four years at most, a lot of players will need replacing and unless players develop and are given chances by Brunel, any advantages gained could be wiped out. There are talented young players in the Italy squad - Gori and Benevenuti already have 20+ international caps - but but talented prospects are not always talented players. Preparing for that transition and ensuring the youngsters make it will be one of Brunel's most important tasks. After this Six Nations, I really hope he succeeds.
If he does, Italian rugby's future will look brighter than ever.
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