The dust has settled on a pulsating weekend of Guinness Six Nations action and the race for the 2020 title is now well and truly on.
Wales got the Championship up and running with a defeat over Italy before Ireland and France beat Scotland and England respectively.
After taking in every minute of the action, former Scotland captain John Barclay gives his thoughts on the ups and downs of the first round of fixtures.
Wales 42-0 Italy
I don’t think Wales were as good as the result suggested and they will have bigger tests along the way. They were a bit sloppy, but you can’t argue with the score.
When you don’t get on the scoreboard in an international game it tells its own story and Italy will be really disappointed with the way they played – they were poor on both sides of the ball.
Sadly, I know what it is like to be on the end of some pretty big losses in my career and you can go into the first game of a Guinness Six Nations a bit cold sometimes.
Meanwhile, Wales will need to guard against becoming complacent, even if they did play some really good stuff.
They’ve made the change of coach look easy and the debutants, especially Nick Tompkins, were brilliant.
Ireland 19-12 Scotland
I might be biased but for me this was the best game of the weekend. There was only one try but I love a game which is pure manic and just warfare.
It was a real battle of attrition, which makes for brilliant Test match rugby. Scotland will feel like it is one which has got away and they played some good rugby.
It goes to show it is all well and good having more of the ball but, if you don’t score the points, you will get punished and Ireland showed Scotland how to win games of rugby.
That extra nous got them the win and Scotland will definitely be disappointed, but they have positives to build on.
Stuart Hogg’s missed chance was obviously the big talking point. For me, though, Hoggy was very good in his first game as captain and all the Scottish backs caught my eye.
France 24-17 England
I’d be lying if I said I saw the manner of the France win coming, but I knew this team could get a result against England.
You do not win two Under-20 World Cups in a row unless you have got a lot going right at the foundation level – maybe that is paying off now.
France were so hungry in the first half both in defence and attack and have to be considered a contender after the way they beat England.
They look to be enjoying their rugby which was the opposite of England who were so flat and nowhere near where they were at the World Cup.
Their win over New Zealand in Japan was one of the best team performances I have ever seen, but they were a shadow of that side and couldn’t deal with France’s intensity.
They looked a bit tired and I think they need to get going if they are going to do well in the Championship.
John Barclay’s Three TISSOT Top Moments:
Wales 42-0 Italy – Top Moment
Nick Tompkins’ try was special and after the game I saw the clip of him going to his family and that is touching. When you have been in the game as long as I have you can forget how special these debuts are and what they mean to people. That was a moving moment, to see what it meant to him and his family.
Ireland 19-12 Scotland – Top Moment
There was a passage of play where Sam Johnson intercepted the ball and Scotland went the length of the pitch off-loading from wing to wing. It is great test rugby when you see that sort of play at this level.
France 24-17 England – Top Moment
The atmosphere…It was awesome, and I would have loved to have been there, but you could hear on the telly the atmosphere was special. It seemed like the crowd knew this was finally the new French side they have been waiting for. You could hear the passion.
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Source: 6 Nations