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'There aren't many better places to play in world rugby'
By Russell Greaves
Rory Best is relishing the chance to sign off from the Six Nations with a crunch clash against Wales in Cardiff next week.
The Ireland captain scored a try in Sunday's bonus-point 26-14 win over France, which kept alive their hopes of retaining the championship.
Best revealed earlier in the week that he would almost certainly call it quits after the Rugby World Cup in Japan, bringing to an end a professional career that started in 2004.
But first he wants to help guide his country to what could be a title-clinching win over table-topping Wales, who beat Scotland 18-11 on Saturday.
"To go to Murrayfield and play like that shows where Wales are at the minute and Cardiff is a tough place to go, so we'll dust ourselves down and prepare well," Best told ITV.
"It's a great place to finish off my Six Nations career. There aren't many better places to play in world rugby and it will be a fantastic occasion to sign off."
Reflecting on the victory in Dublin, where Ireland eased off to allow France two late tries, Best conceded the hosts had failed to make their dominance show in the final scoreline.
"I think we had chances with a series of scrums on their line and we just let ourselves down a little bit, but we are happy with the way we controlled the game," said the 36-year-old.
"We had chances in the first half and maybe we could have put more away, but you cannot underestimate how physical that French side is.
"We weren't expecting to get as many line-outs as we did and a few things came off and a few didn't.
"We know going to Cardiff next week we will have to be a lot better and the exciting thing is how we get our teeth into that."
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Latest Comments
I think Italy were always targetting this match and intended to win. They needed to exorcise the 2023 RWC. I think they could have done with a bit more help from other 6Ns particularly from Ireland to knock more holes in NZ and their confidence.
Mentioned before the Italy Argentina match was a virus that ripped through the Italy camp early that week. In general play Italy were competitive albeit with a high error count and crucial missed tackles.
Ive said it before the era of NZ turning up unprepared for all comers and triumphing is definitively over. If a Tier1 team target NZ and NZ do not prepare accordingly they are in with a major chance of losing. It used to occur the odd time in RWCs against France, now it can occur v any Tier1. The competition has improved. NZ can still be at the top but their talents must be deployed sufficiently into dismantling teams as with their attack then allowed to exploit.
They dismantled Ireland pretty well in Dublin which went largely unnoticed. That allowed them scoreboard advantage and attacking opportunities of which one was enough.
That Italian team beat Wales and significantly Scotland last year. They used the loss to NZ in the most positive way possible. No doubt NZ prepared but I would assume it was similar to versus Argentina: 3/4 arsed at best. These test matches are rare and this was another chance to practice dismantling a determined and prepared opponent which was lost. If Italy had scored a 7 pointer at 17-6....an Italian win was on.
Go to commentsGB = England, Scotland, Wales. UK = England, Wales, Scotland, NI
Nothing to stew son.
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