MAN OF THE DAY
Eddie Jones took charge on 4 December – three days late because of visa problems – and 106 days later he has sealed England’s first grand slam for 13 years. Next stop (after a fairly needless one-off Test with Wales in May) is a tour of his native Australia. “I’m expecting so much fun, mate. Seriously. I think it’s going to be hilarious,” he says.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
The BBC’s Brian Moore, who had a reputation for riling Les Bleus in his playing days, in response to Dan Cole’s contentious try for England in Paris: “If I was French I would be very unhappy with that … but I’m not.”
MONTAGE WATCH
Maybe not as out there as Wales v France, when the opener featured the actor Michael Kelly from House of Cards but the BBC chose Johnny Cash’s God’s Gonna Cut You Down for a slightly confusing clip including a briefcase. Lyrics include, “I’ve been down on bended knee talkin’ to the man from Galilee.” John Inverdale made sure he kept things relevant, though. “Who is the finest rugby player in Paris? Dan Carter,” he said, really setting the scene.
FLASHBACK OF THE DAY
Nearly 18 years since the original Ronaldo’s will-he-won’t-he hoopla, James Haskell was seemingly following suit. Rumours abounded that the England flanker had a back spasm and would not start, then he did, then he didn’t seem his usual self on the pitch. There must be something in the water at the Stade de France.
FASHION WATCH
Social media went into its usual Saturday night meltdown and last night the hot topic of debate was John Inverdale’s scarf. There was no doubting that Inverdale, as is habitually the fate of commentators and pundits in Paris during the Six Nations, was feeling the cold but the main source of controversy seemed to be whether the item in question had a tinge of pink to it.
HAPPY HUNTING GROUND
Richie Gray is not known for his try-scoring prowess but he has a liking for Dublin. His score on Saturday was his second in three matches at the Aviva Stadium, making this his most prolific ground. It is also the joint-most by any non-Irish player there in the Six Nations.
RECORD OF THE DAY
With a Six Nations title and a grand slam under his belt, Dylan Hartley is now England’s most successful captain since Martin Johnson, who retired soon after the World Cup triumph in 2003.
COCKEREL WATCH
Jones reckoned on Friday that France would employ dirty tricks before kick-off, including marching bands and escaped cockerels disrupting their warm-up. Instead it was the trumpeter who slipped past security that provided the most disruption.
THE LONG GOODBYE
Jacques Brunel’s five-year tenure as Italy coach came to an end with another shellacking. The Azzurri finished with the worst points difference in Six Nations history, after shipping 125 in eight days. Not many in Italy are likely to miss him.
