England’s 2003 RBS 6 Nations Championship Victory
By Falcon1 (June 2003)
August 3 2003
This is the video that every England supporter has waited for seven years to buy. Released on 14 April 2003 soon after England's Grand Slam victory.
August 3 2003
This is the video that every England supporter has waited for seven years to buy. Released on 14 April 2003 soon after England's Grand Slam victory.
Duration: 101 Minutes
Recommended Retail Price £14.99 but available for less.
In 2003, after several agonising near misses, England secured their fist Grand Slam under Clive Woodward. This video shows how they did it.
The video takes the form of a retrospective review of the 2003 Six Nations Championship from an England perspective, with highlights from all of England’s games, although none of the clashes between the other teams involved in the tournament.
Going to the wire
Despite predictions that the outcome of the Championship would be resolved in the very first game of the competition, between England and France at Twickenham, the drama went to the wire, with Grand Slam decider taking place in the last game, when England became the first team to win a Grand Slam decider away from home, against an Ireland team that was also chasing the Grand Slam at Lansdowne Road. And it is Lansdowne Road that provides the backdrop for a review of the season by John Inverdale, in conversation with Will Greenwood – the latter still bearing the battle scars of that final game.
Anthems and Eninem
Between highlights of each game, Will Greenwood voices his views of the rivalry between the Celtic nations and England, the place of Italy in the Six Nations Championship, the gladiatorial atmosphere at the Millenium Stadium, the moment when Wales's Mark Taylor failed to release the ball for a certain try and other defining images and experiences. Greenwood also does his best to ensure that he will not feature on any New Year's Honours List, with an unfavourable comment on the National Anthem, whilst simultaneously establishing his 'street-cred' with a reference to Eminem!
Overall the video demonstrates the skills and power of the England players, their discipline and patience in defence, and the ability to find gaps in attack that has made England the outstanding rugby team in the Northern hemisphere as we approach the Rugby World Cup.
Personal highlights in this video include the acknowledgement made to the loss of Nick Duncombe and the consequential subdued atmosphere that heralded Jason Leonard's 100th cap, the reminder that Scotland have not scored a try against England in three years, and a montage of Jonny Wilkinson's kicking that demonstrates what a phenomenon this Falcons and England player is.
In summary, this video will provide the ideal viewing for a quiet evening – provided that you are English!
Rating: 5 out of 5
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