David Corkery: We're a rugby country again as Six Nations kicks off

Rugby Union, you either love it or loath it, but when the Six Nations comes to town with its pomp and ceremony almost everyone who enjoys any kind of sports contest sits up and digs out their battered green jerseys and tattered old scarfs.

I guess the World Cup will always be viewed as the marquee event, but in terms of entertainment and traditional values, the Six Nations is second in the pecking order.

Commencing in 1883 with just Ireland, England, Wales, and Scotland competing, it wasn’t until 1910 when France decided to join, thus changing the name of the tournament from the Home Nations Championship to the Five Nations Championship.

And now, believe it or not, this year marks the 25th anniversary of the gutsy and never-say-die Italians being introduced.

Apart from the shape of the ball, nearly every other aspect of the sport has gone through some kind of transformation, but thankfully, the one thing that remains unchanged is the rivalry that exists between the competing nations.

Fuelled by numerous pints of Guinness and a bag of chips, or glasses of champagne and prawn sandwiches depending on which level of the stadium you are sitting in, the supporters who attend these gladiatorial contests might look well-groomed and cultivated on the exterior. 

But you can be sure that the blood that runs through their veins is filled with a desire that their team wins and the other side is left wounded and battered.

Yes there are the supporters who wouldn’t know one end of a rugby ball from the other and only go because they were invited by their bank manager, but for the majority who pay for their tickets, their purpose is driven by pride and a relentless quest to see their country succeed.

For the most part, the rivalry on and off the pitch is somewhat friendly, but it must be said that the level of friendliness does change from one game to the next and there is none more volatile as the one that exists between the shamrock and the rose.

Yes, history has a lot to do with it, but thankfully the blood that was spilled off the pitch is now confined to the archives and let's pray that’s where it will stay forever.

If I had to explain the different levels of friendliness that exists between Ireland and the other five competing nations it would go something like this.

Wales

Fans: Similar to ourselves. A bit mad, but great craic.

Team: Unless Warren Gatland has a hot-line to the rugby gods they will most certainly finish up with the wooden spoon this year.

Scotland

Fans: A small bit delusional. Will always think they are better than all the rest, but after a few pints or glasses of whiskey will quickly come back to earth and join in on the sing-song.

Team: Might cause Ireland some pain in Murrayfield this year. First 15 are very good, but will struggle if they pick up a few injuries.

France

Fans: A small bit too passionate and quick-tempered at times, but not the worst in the world. Would probably cause a bit more trouble if we could understand what they were actually shouting about.

Team: On paper, France should be unbeatable. However, French rugby is temperamental and they will either mesmerise us with their simplistic brilliance or leave us scratching our heads.

Title will hopefully be decided when they travel to Dublin on March 8.

Italy

Fans: By far the best-looking fans in the world, but should probably stick to supporting their soccer team. More often or not they are left looking dejected come the final whistle.

Team: This year like every other year there is much optimism, but unless they can build a stronger infrastructure at grassroots they will always be the bridesmaids.

England

Fans: Very pleasant and well-behaved before the game, but if they win they are best avoided at all costs. Can tend to celebrate a little too loudly.

Team: Following a disappointing Autumn Nations Series campaign, England will always be a dangerous side to play against and Ireland will need to lay down the law very early in tomorrow’s game.

The last thing Ireland should do is allow the likes of Marcus Smith to settle into any kind of rhythm. In no uncertain terms Smith needs to be reminded very early on that Six Nations rugby is a good 30-40% more physical than the English Premiership and one or two visits by Bundee Aki down his defensive channel would not be a bad option for Ireland to deploy.

Over the last 10 years, Ireland have built their game plan around exactness and dominating at the breakdown and if this is successfully challenged and their gain line dominance is lost, they have no plan B to fall back on.

Apart from the French, the four other nations have nothing to lose when they play us and when you play with this kind of pressure on your shoulders, tiny cracks can very quickly become gaping fractures. A win tomorrow will settle the nerves, but a loss could well be fatal in more ways than one.