STUART BARNES
“England’s balance o f hard men and soft hands is beguiling ”
This year’s Six Nations may have been fractured but there was still plenty for Stuart Barnes to glean. He gives his verdict on the teams and predicts how the tournament will play out – should it be completed
THE RUGBY was simply subsumed in the end. When fans look back to the 2020 Six Nations, it will not be the resurgence of France or the three straight losses of Grand Slam champions Wales we will remember but coronavirus. Ireland’s politicians were more decisive than their national team’s out-of-form half-backs and acted quickly, postponing the Italy game after just three rounds.
Italy were the first nation to call off their final game. Given Italy’s status as Europe’s worst-hit country, this was about as surprising as the team’s record of 25 consecutive losses ahead of what appeared a forlorn task against England.
Before I could switch plans and head to Paris for France versus Ireland – a result far less predictable than what would probably have transpired in Rome – that, too, was off. And finally, clinging on until the Friday, came Cardiff. Having left the Cheltenham Festival ahead of Gold Cup day, I was relieved the game was
