The Grand Slump

Am I the only one left feeling unfulfilled after this Six Nations?

After the drama of last year's championship, it was inevitable that this year would not live up to the same level of excitement. However, tension was almost completely devoid from this year's proceedings. Mistake after mistake after mistake robbed me of any enjoyment of the game as it slowed to a halt. The effects of whatever new rules that were brought in seem to have reduced the game to a kicking dominated affair. Defences are so good that running the ball is dangerous, as the Wales-France match showed. Two intercept tries from France, who were happy to play for territory all tournament. The result? Grand Slam for them. The England-Scotland encounter was about the most dreadful rugby match that had ever been inflicted on the world.

There were flashes of brilliance, and yes, there were moments of tension. Today's match in Dublin had both of them. I however benefit from having Sky Sports and I watch the Super 14 matches occasionally whenever I have the time. The gulf in pace, runnig, excitement is ridiculous. In the 39 games played so far in the season, each game is averaging 53.5 points. In the Six Nations this number is 39.6. Essentially, that's an average of 2 more tries per game. And that's not even "international standard" rugby.

Since the game went professional, the skills needed for a good defence (essentially fitness, strength, teamwork) have all benefited, and the natural flair needed for attacking rugby has remained static. Some of the ELVs that were experimented with last year I think would actually have been good to encourage a more running attacking game. Keeping the back line 5m back from the scrum gave people more space to run; making quick throws easier encourages counter attack play and discourages kicking for position; free kicks rather than penalties means less kicking for touch and for goal and more attacking play. The whole point was to increase the emphasis on attacking play to force coaches and teams to think and train more in that way.

I'm not saying that there's no place for the grinding tension of close control near your opponents' line, but can't something be done to at least make a RANGE of tactics effective?

P.S. I know that the photo is not from this year's Six Nations, but it's cool.