Paris (AFP)

Pragmatic if not brilliant, England won the 2020 Six Nations Tournament on Saturday, extended over 273 days due to the pandemic, and succeeded Wales, disappointing, while Scotland reunited with Finn Russell and colours.

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England: the Rose blooms again

The inaugural defeat against France (24-17) did not prevent England from winning their seventh Six Nations Tournament since 2000, the 39th in its history.

Finalists of the last World Cup, the English proved that they had resources after this initial setback at the Stade de France: "It's a superb accomplishment for us (...) We have a great group of players, we really think we can keep improving and doing more, ”said captain Owen Farrell.

But the XV de la Rose did not really convince with laborious victories in Scotland (13-6) and against Wales (33-30) or a first period without relief (10-5) against Italy Saturday.

They beat the French in the goal-average (+44 against +21) despite a workforce steeped in talent.

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Ireland: lacking inspiration

They could have won the Tournament but, by falling at the Stade de France, the Irish let their title hopes slip away.

With two defeats, against the Blues (35-27) and the English (24-12), Ireland finished third for the second time in a row.

The arrival of Andy Farrell as manager has not changed much: the XV of Clover is still this difficult team to beat, with world-class players in all lines, with a pragmatic game but sometimes lacking imagination and risk taking.

And that's probably what sinned: "We had enough opportunities to win these two matches (against England and France, editor's note) but we were not efficient enough," admitted Farrell.

"And if you don't take advantage of your chances in the big games, you end up losing them."

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Scotland: thistle regains spice

A fourth place in the shape of a trompe l'oeil.

After two narrow defeats from the start, against Ireland (19-12) then England (13-6), the XV du Chardon finished strong, dominating Italy (17-0) then scalping France (28-17) before achieving a feat in Wales (14-10).

This first success in Wales since 2002 was marked by the return of the whimsical Finn Russell.

The opener of Racing 92 admittedly abandoned his teammates quite quickly, but he showed that he could do good to this Scottish team, delighted to spoil the party of Alun Wyn Jones, the Welsh captain with 149 selections, new world record.

With three wins and the best defense in the Tournament (58 points conceded), Scotland regained its rank.

The World Cup-2019, sadly ended in the group stage, is forgotten.

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Wales: dragon heart?

The defending champion fell very low.

In 2019, the XV du Leek shook up European and world rugby with a Grand Slam in the Six Nations Tournament and a World Cup semi-final.

A few months later, the Welsh ended the 2020 edition on "their worst defeat", according to local media, synonymous with fifth place.

And Wayne Pivac, the new coach, has not convinced.

The successor to Warren Gatland, the man with three Grand Slams, failed to find solutions to a failing touch, a lacking power pack and a leaky defense.

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Italy: Parisse the cursed

Five matches, five losses, 178 points conceded, 44 scored, six tries for, 25 against.

Subscribed to the wooden spoon, Italy kept its "trophy" for the fifth time in a row.

Without surprise.

The legendary Sergio Parisse (37 years old, 142 caps) will have to wait a bit for his jubilee, first pushed back by Typhoon Hagibis in Japan and then by the pandemic.

© 2020 AFP