I wouldn't say that. Look at the defence. They conceded 3 tries?? Fairly good if you ask me. Declan Kidney is a genius. Hah them playing as a unit throughout.

Obviously the defence was great, which is why they deserved it. But they only got 12 tries them self, whereas England got 16 and France 14. In previous years in Grand Slams, the winner have always been the best team by some margin, both in defence and offence. Is this the case with the tournament? - no. To have very narrow victories against England and Ireland suggests that they havn't dominated this tournament, and therefore can not be seen as strong Grand Slam champions. Wales dominated so much last year and were worthy GS champs, I'm not so sure this year.

It's a bit like if Man Utd go on to win the title just winning every game 1-0, with a few 0-0's for the rest of the season. Means they deseve to be champions, but not to be recognised for domination.

Well winning every game 1-0, with a few 0-0's would make you unbeaten for the season, so that would be domination But that's just me being a prick, so anyway.

Less tries maybe, but they only scored 3 points less than France and England. I think if this team played in other years, they'd still do very well. I will agree with you that it has been a poor 6 nations, but you can only beat what's put in front of you, and Ireland won 5 out of 5. I think this could only be the beginning. Kidney will make this team better.

True, lets look at all the teams

ITALY - Still the whipping boys, will they ever improve to actually challenge for the title one day, i dont think so.

SCOTLAND - Quite arguably the worst Scotland team i've seen in years despite the presence of their goalkicking machine Chris Paterson.

WALES - They were disappojnting in my view, England should have beaten them in Cardiff and their wins over Italy and Scotland were not impressive, but they were unlucky to lose a thrilling game in Paris.

FRANCE - Just as i predicted, whoever their coach/manager is will probably be fearing for his job, their defeat to England was the worst by any team bar Italy in this years competition

ENGLAND - Started poorly but improved steadily and rallied to 2 excellent wins at the end earning the runners-up spot and retaining the calcutta cup, still in transitional mode under Johnson, they may be hindered next year if a number of English players start moving to play in the French leagues where the big money is now, and those clubs start refusing to release the players.

IRELAND - Despite winning the grand slam, they have shown flaws, but what they are good at is grinding out wins even when they are not playing well, and that is down to sheer determination and an excellent defensive pack. Whether they could compete with those in the southern hemisphere though i doubt it.

I guess though we'll know more about the state of northern hemisphere rugby when the Lions tour South Africa this summer

England barely deserved to beat Wales. If it wasn't for England cheating in the opening 20 minutes Wales would have won by a country mile. And Ireland weren't great this year either. Their win barely matched up to the 2005 Welsh side and they would never have won it if Wales and France were playing full steam. I have a sneaky feeling for England next year. If they can cut out their errors and not giving so much away I think they could do it. The Irish will need to step up their game a lot more than what they did this year. Either way, they won't have the gigantic expectations Wales have had the last 2 times the Grand Slam was there's.

IMO this is only the start. Expect Ireland to dominate the next 3 years or so of 6 nations.

I would'nt think so, if Johnson can drill that indiscipline out of the England team in time for next year, we could challenge, also the French i think will get themselves a new coach and be stronger and dont rule out the Welsh either.

Infact next year, i predict France will win it and the grand slam with England to get the triple crown

Sorry no chance. There are 3 better teams than the Irish and I think that Ireland were giving it their all. Wales nearly beat you and they were no where near their best. True, you're good defensively but if the forwards don't get their act together and punish their opponents more, you'll get a harsh lesson from the teams who can do that. Ireland really need to sort that out or they have no chance next year when France, England and Wales raise their game for next season which will undoubtedly happen. I don't think Ireland will have the expectations former winners will have next year because their performances weren't that great. Next year it's between France, England and Wales. I wouldn't even be suprised to see Scotland finish above the Irish, they'll have a point to prove and Italy will as well. Next year will be one hell of a tournament. Wales, France and England needing to up their game and Scotland and Italy trying to regain some dignity.

Get a grip Crotchy. I assume you are taking the piss when you say Scotland might finish ahead of us. If you ask me, you're not giving Ireland enough credit. Played 5, won 5, and they'll be better next year. Just you wait.

The Scotland bit might have been a tad far but the fact is, Ireland will have to be miles better than this year. They didn't play like Champions. Not by a long shot. They are the most unconvincing grand slam winning champions I've seen in a long time. I can't believe no one has picked up on O'Gara. He can kick but nothing else, the Welsh proved all you need to do is run at him and he crumbles. When other sides work that out you are really in the shit. You won't win next year, I can guarantee that.

And I don't need to give Ireland credit. Yeah they did brilliantly to win but most other sides shot themselves in the foot. You nearly lost to a very very poor Wales side. Wait until you have to face the real thing again. And when the French are firing on all cylinders next year you'll really have to watch out. Next year it's between Wales, France and England. As soon as O'Driscoll gets fucked that's what happens to you.

I think we'll have to agree to disagree. Yes, despite the drop goal, O' Gara had a poor tournament. However, the foundations of the team are built in the forwards, and they we're very good throughout the tournament. Bowe, Kearney etc. will only get better to make the backs better next year, and if O' Driscol can keep his form going, then Ireland just simply cannot be ruled out.

As I said, I expect them to be better next year, regardless of how other teams fare. They cannot be ruled out.

How many teams have dominated the Six nations? To say you will run the Six nations for the next 3 years is absurd. You won't run it next year. People find out how you play and you come back with a new game plan. The French and Welsh have found this out. You play with the same tactics and you're fucked.

The one time i can remember a truly great team winning the grand slam was the England 2003 squad that went on to win the world cup, that was England at their absolute best and it was a joy to watch, Wales's 2005 grand slam was a good win too.

Ireland's grand slam was more grit and determination rather than spectacular rugby, thats not a bad thing though.

Joy to watch, can't say that much with England anymore. Bloody boring rugby most of the time

It was back then though, Johnson, Greenwood, Dallaglio, Bracken, Leonard, Cohen, Lewsey, Robinson and of course Wilko when he was at his prime, it was an awesome team.

Like you said though, its pretty dire at the moment, and it'll get worse if they all piss off to the French leagues where all the big money is now