Six Nations: ranking after week one

1. Ireland

A slow first 39 minutes where they didn’t do a whole lot more than simply blunt the Scottish endeavours. But once Andrew Trimble scored at the end of the first half, the result was never in doubt. Ireland looked generally sharp, counter-rucked very well and didn’t have any obvious weak areas. They still have to travel to Twickenham and the Stade de France, but things will be very tricky for Wales next week.

The Millennium Stadium before Wales’s 23-15 win over Italy

2. France

Their first two tries had an element of fortune, almost blew a big lead and were outplayed for most of the match. But they did a New Zealand and managed to pick up a vital win thanks to a superb late try from Gael Fickou, which was vital if France are to keep up their record of winning the Championship after every Lions tour since 1997.

3. England

An unfamiliar side (with contrasting fortunes for new boys Jack Nowell and Luther Burrell) were really unlucky to lose in Paris, and had they held on to the win they would be big favourites for the Grand Slam. It’ll go down as one of those “learning experiences”, and although a top team wouldn’t have thrown away the win, I still reckon they’re still most likely to win this year’s tournament.

4. Italy

Without trying to sound too patronising, they put up a really good fight against pre-tournament bookies’ favourites. Michele Campagnaro’s two tries meant the “It-al-ia” chant was louder than the Welsh crowd for most of the afternoon. Some really dopey defending led to both Wales’s tries, and I dread to think what might have happened without them, as Italy dominated long periods of the match.

5. Wales

There was a subdued atmosphere at the Millennium Stadium, with Italy refusing to buckle. At half time the expectation seemed to be that Wales would kick on, but it was Italy who showed enterprise and barely allowed the hosts a chance. In many ways, though, this performance might do Wales good – we’re often slow starters, we still won (unlike last year’s debacle against Ireland) and now Warren Gatland’s team knows for sure it’s got a big fight on its hands for an unprecedented third successive title and has to move through the gears at the Aviva Stadium next week.

6. Scotland

Typically for Scotland, they huffed and puffed but never really created anything, nor looked like pulling a surprise. Stuart Hogg had an excellent game, but the attack was otherwise rudderless. And although they defended well at times, they were also all-too-easily picked apart by Ireland (who were the width of the goal line/touch line from a further two tries) at crucial times.