Who cares who wins this year’s Six Nations?

Schalk Burger believes that France have been “found out” tactically in the first three rounds of the Six Nations. Found out and worn out, by the looks of things.

The former Springbok flanker also pinpointed a lack of “intensity” so far in the Championship, contrasting their lethargy to their blood and thunder performance against South Africa in the quarter-final of the World Cup.

One suspects that if the Springboks had been playing week in, week out since the middle of November they might also be on the jaded side. As it is, the world champions and the rest of the southern hemisphere nations enjoyed a long leisurely break over Christmas, and they are still easing themselves back into action four months after the World Cup.

South Africa’s first Test of 2024 is against Ireland on 6 July, the same month that the All Blacks, Australia and Argentina play their first internationals of the year.

The Pumas host France in a two Test series in July, providing they are some French players still standing. If they’re shattered now, imagine how they’ll be in four months’ time, after the Top 14 and Champions Cup have run their course.

If Fabien Galthié has any sense he’ll leave his World Cup players at home. Head to the beach, boys, do nothing more energetic this summer than building a sandcastle. It will be an opportunity for Galthie to run an eye over the exciting band of youngsters who are making their mark in the Top 14: three-quarters such as Nicolas Depoortère, Léo Barré and Emilien Gailleton, the giant second-rows Emmanuel Meafou and Posolo Tuilagi, and promising loose forwards like the Toulouse trio of Mathis Castro-Ferreira, Léo Banos and Théo Ntamack.

These players have profited from the absence of their international team-mates this season, who disappeared for the World Cup, then returned for a few weeks before heading off to the Six Nations.

The Irish can win as many Grand Slams as they want, but they’re all meaningless if they can’t make an impression at the World Cup.

In all, there were just 97 days between the World Cup final and the opening match of the 2024 Six Nations. Which raises the question: should there be a Six Nations the year after a RWC? The federations need the cash but the players need a rest, and player welfare must be more than just kind words spoken earnestly.

As it is, this is a largely irrelevant Six Nations. Ireland are on course for another Grand Slam – richly deserved – but surely even their most fanatical supporter will feel a little hollow if they complete the clean sweep on 16 March. Ireland blew the big one in October, losing to New Zealand in the World Cup quarter-final and extending their baffling record of never reaching the last four of the tournament. The Irish can win as many Grand Slams as they want, but they’re all meaningless if they can’t make…