British club of the season
Northampton
Two trophies inside eight days, three finals in total … the decision to invest in Alex Corbisiero, George North and Kahn Fotuali’i has paid dividends. Perhaps the shrewdest acquisition of all has been the backs coach Alex King. Saints are suddenly serial winners in May, just as King’s old team Wasps used to be, and Stephen Myler looks a new man.
Best captain
Steve Borthwick (Saracens)
This was also Borthwick’s farewell season and the tributes paid by those who served under him were unanimously reverential.
Northern hemisphere player of the season
Jonny Wilkinson (Toulon)
Some of the scenes from the south of France over the weekend were extraordinary as Toulon celebrated their European and Top 14 double. Matt Giteau and Steffon Armitage have been hugely influential but – in his final days as a professional – Wilkinson’s example to others was extraordinary to behold.
Northern hemisphere coach of the season
Joe Schmidt (Ireland)
Hard to look beyond the New Zealander who achieved the rare feat of securing a Six Nations title at the first attempt. If he can lift a Brian O’Driscoll-less Ireland even higher in the next 15 months, his reputation as a master coach will be secure for life.
Best games
Ireland thought a historic first win over the All Blacks was secure when they led 22-17 with 30 seconds left. But a dramatic long-range New Zealand try finished by the replacement Ryan Crotty changed all that, before Aaron Cruden slotted the winning touchline conversion at the second attempt after the referee, Nigel Owens, decided that some Irish players had charged prematurely.
Saracens 46-6 Clermont Auvergne
The most startling result achieved by an English club in Europe? Sarries’ defensive enthusiasm was certainly the equal of anything seen at Twickenham in recent times, with Jacques Burger leading the way. By the end Saracens had scored six tries and Clermont were utterly broken. You could argue that neither side ever fully recovered.
A gloriously vibrant contest settled by Wallaby wit, with Quade Cooper, Israel Folau and Michael Hooper all prominent. Wales’s continuing inability to beat the southern hemisphere’s big three remains an issue and even two tries from George North, playing as a centre, could not reverse the tide. The Australians appear to be on the rise under Ewen McKenzie heading towards the 2015 World Cup, when they will share the same pool as Wales and England.
Quotes of the season
“He has brought magic to this club. Those sort of guys are few and far between. I hope when Wilkinson is mentioned in the past tense that he will be recognised for his worth, which is colossal.” – Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal.
“Myself and Danny Care play a game when we are warming up at Quins. We call it ‘Schmeichel’ after the great Peter Schmeichel. We just blast balls at each other to see if we can save them.” – Mike Brown reveals his novel pre-training routine.
“Someone asked me if I had any spare tickets on the way in.” – Dylan Hartley on the unforeseen consequences of England’s extended walk from their team bus to the Twickenham dressing rooms.
“Steffon Armitage is one of the most special guys I have ever played alongside. I am surprised England have not been picking him … he is an all-round player who runs, steps, tackles and steals – the worst nightmare for those he plays against. I do not think the fact he is playing in France should make any difference. Rugby is a professional sport and players are going to move around.” – Toulon’s Juan Smith offers his opinion on Europe’s official player of the year.
“Mass-produced stuff from Ikea is brilliant for what it is but I’d rather have something I found in a skip and did up myself.” – Harlequins and touring England hooker Dave Ward on his skip-diving hobby.
Best matchday atmosphere
Ravenhill
The noise inside the redeveloped stadium for Ulster v Saracens in the Heineken Cup quarter-finals was spine-tingling.
Worst matchday atmosphere
Twickenham for the Heineken Cup semi-final between Saracens and Clermont Auvergne
One of the great club occasions took place in a stadium that was two-thirds empty.
Best marketing wheeze
Free admission to Allianz Park for anyone dressed up as Elvis
Someone at Saracens has a fertile mind.
Biggest bonus
The increased attacking intent among the leading English clubs
Saracens scored 68 tries in the 22-game Premiership season compared with 41 last year. Northampton registered 72 tries compared with 55 in 2012-13.
Biggest disappointment
It would have been fun had Benji Marshall been able to transfer his skills to union. Sadly his cross-code foray proved unsuccessful.
Gone but not forgotten
Brian O’Driscoll, Jonny Wilkinson, Steve Borthwick, Danie Rossouw and George Chuter are just a few of the faithful servants hanging up their boots. Good luck to all of them in their lives beyond rugby.
Areas for improvement
Welsh rugby politics
The European war is over and the union needs to have a better relationship with its regions.
Players waving imaginary cards and diving to con referees
Serial offenders should be sent to the sin-bin; teams who gesture at the officials should be marched back 10 metres (same as last year).
Better concussion management.
It should go without saying by now.
Wider recognition for the women’s game
There is a World Cup coming this summer. Take a look.
Players to watch in 2014-15
Malakai Fekitoa (Highlanders), Jordan Williams (Scarlets), Maro Itoje (Saracens), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins), Sam Burgess (Bath).
Three wishes for the next 12 months
A greater realisation within the entire game that rugby union has never had a better opportunity to promote itself with the 2015 Rugby World Cup around the corner. Some Premiership clubs need to expand their horizons on and off the field.
Fewer injury-enforced retirements (same as last year).
Less rain = firmer grounds = better surfaces for rugby (same as last year).
And finally …
As the summer Tests loom into view, many thanks to all our readers, not least those who regularly contribute below the line. How dull it would be if all of us were in total agreement all the time! Enjoy the summer months and be reassured that pre-season training at Cornish Pirates started last week.
