Our Six Nations journey ended on Sunday as England defeated a gallant French side to win the Grand Slam. It was a strange weekend given the game kicked-off at 21:00, and Paris was much quieter than usual as many locals stayed at home not wanting to risk any potential terrorist activity. Little did we know what was to come.
The satisfying thing from the Six Nations perspective was that France at last showed some of their old guile and skill. Given that Wales and Ireland cannot possibly be as bad again next season it should be a very competitive competition. Whether Connor O'Shea can breath life into Italy though remains to be seen.
Hopefully the organisers will see there is no merit Friday night matches or ridiculously timed Saturday or Sunday evening games, and the fans needs may be taken into consideration.
Returning home to the news of the Brussels attacks was not a total surprise. Talk in the French press after the arrest of a key suspect on Friday indicated he was in possession of a contact list, and I suspect one of his lieutenants probably brought forward the attacks for fear of his operatives being arrested before more atrocities could be executed.
We live in difficult times but the French are to be congratulated with their Saturday night organisation. May it continue into the Summer when they host Euro 2016.
