Ireland aiming first ever back-to-back Six Nations Grand Slams

Ireland kicked-off this year's Six Nations in superb style with a record away win over France. And on top of that, the 38-17 was the biggest win over the continental rivals in general since 1913 (24-0 in Cork). What a dream start on Friday night, shutting down all talk about a hangover from the premature World Cup exit.

“Ireland are in a fantastic position to win the Six Nations” says Jamie Dever, Westport-bred former Connacht and London Irish prop in his exclusive interview with The Mayo News:

“There is no World Cup hangover. These players are professionals and for them it is a privilege to put on that green jersey and perform.”

And perform they did in Marseille. There was a lot of talk about Jack Crowley before the match. A few misfired kicks aside, Crowley steered the Irish ship steadily to a magnificent triumph.

“There was a lot of pressure on him after Sexton leaving”, explains Jamie Dever: “Jack is only twenty-four years old and only two years ago he was sitting on the bench for Munster and now he started for Ireland gaining a record win in France. He only came into the Irish set-up really in the last twelve to fifteen months.”

Of course there were fifteen Irish players on the pitch. It was an all around performance by an Irish team playing a much fancied French side around the park. Many Irish players are in form at the moment. It seems the current players in the team are in their prime.

Also: test matches are always about conceding not too many penalties and Ireland excel in that department: “Ireland made very few mistakes, when you compare them to all other teams this weekend” says Dever.

Another key area: The Irish caused a lot of worry during last year's Six Nations and indeed the World Cup. But on Friday night supporters watched a well-oiled machine, perfectly drilled. Ireland won 100% of their line-outs.

Jamie Dever goes on to point out un unsung hero on the Ireland team: “Also a lot of what they did well came through outside centre Robbie Henshaw. He might not have scored tries but when you look at the small details: He was very good defensively, forcing errors on the French side, a fantastic workrate, which in turn made Jack Crowley's life so much easier” says Dever.

Many might have thought: With Sexton gone there will be a considerable void. A lack of a seasoned captain would surely result in the whole team to falter a bit, especially in tight games. This remains to be seen as France did not prove to be an equal competitor last Friday, additionally hampered by an early red card for second-row muscle-unit Paul Willemse.

“With all this talk about World Cup hangovers: France are the ones having a hangover after crashing out in the Quarter-Final on home turf. They looked sloppy against Ireland, low on energy, not at their best. And they're obviously missing the magic of Antoine Dupont as well”, analyses Jamie Dever: “And every time France scored, Ireland bounced back, even the yellow card for Peter O'Mahony did not hurt them.”

“A lot of these guys are so drilled and coached well, and they are probably keen on winning this Six Nations and Andy Farrell being the next Lions coach in two years, players probably thinking how many of us can get on the bandwagon and create a new Lions legacy.”

Ireland's next task is Italy at home next Sunday. Under their new coach Gonzalo Quesada, Italy pushed a revamped England team to the limit, playing some brilliant Rugby in the first half but losing their rhythym in the second. Certainly after their statement win in France, Ireland go into the match as heavy favourites.

Traditionally pundits would tip Ireland's trip to Twickenham being the biggest stumbling block on the road to a Grand Slam victory. But probably not this year:

“England are in a rebuilding situation, that team could be a very special team in two or three years. And if they get Marcus Smith fit they are a dangerous team. But right now, they are not as much of a challenge” figures Jamie Dever.

With France dealt with in impressive style, serious contenders apart from Ireland seem to be in short supply in this year's Six Nations. Scotland being a very mixed bag, it's hard to see them winning five out of five. Wales are a very young and unexperienced team, that impressed in the second half against Scotland when they had nothing to lose any more.

Ireland look primed to win the Grand Slam again this year, which would mean the first ever back-to-back Grand Slams in the history of Irish Rugby. This team has not finished, it has a date with destiny.