Six Nations: Au contact

The series has got quite a harsh reception in the media but I enjoyed it a lot. I follow rugby so didn't need explainers on the rules of the game but I could see how some background and also the history of the Six Nations could have been beneficial.

The characters are compelling and the interviews with specific players going to their homes, hearing their partners worries and learning their family history was interesting and fresh.

Overall I think it's a strong series but it's not quite sure whether it should be 'Drive to Survive' following multiple characters or 'The Quarterback' which focuses on just three NFL players.

I expect season 2 to get better and commend this first effort!

If you're into background stories of individuals, the histories of the rivalries/competition etc, and the physicality of the sport, then this is totally the show for you. It's a decent series.

But if you're hoping for an insight into the sport's rules and how the game is played to help gain an interest in the sport, then you won't get any of that.

I was hoping the creators might have followed the F1 Drive to Survive series, where that had the odd explanation thrown in, which told us what the odd rule is, or what certain tactics aim to achieve etc.

I was never a fan of F1, but I watched that series and because stuff was explained, it created an interest for me and I now see a point in watching a full race.

I don't watch Rugby matches because I find them boring and too stop-start... Plus I don't understand all the rules, so confuses me when random penalties are given.

I was hoping this Six Nations series would've chucked in some education. A bit more insight in that regard might convince me to have more interest in actual games.

Others might feel the same perhaps.

Still, I enjoyed the series because I have had plenty of experience with the rugby atmosphere thru friends, so it's not a totally alien sport to me. But to folk that's never given it a proper chance (like me with F1), it might be tough to stick with. It's not convinced me to start watching full games anyway.

I'm from New Zealand. Generally this means we see all of these teams as our foes on the field and love to bag them during games. Kiwis find England especially irritating, France is often our bogey team in world cups, and now Ireland is the one to beat (used to be Aussie but they've been AWOL for some time now).

Putting all of that aside. I began watching this with a conformation bias, but actually was pleasantly surprised. Sure the actual rugby is nothing more than a highlights reel, but actually it was the backstories of the players that was engaging and somewhat heart warming. I found myself very much rooting for Scotland (my great grandparents would be delighted!), fascinated by the philosophical reflections of coach Galthié, chuckling at the banter in the England squad and sympathising with those senior players grappling with decisions to retire from the game they love.

It's a shame the focus was a bit more on just a couple of players and England's journey, rather than seeing the secret sauce behind Irelands success in recent years. But that said, it's great to see a positive spin on a great sport that hopefully is engaging a much wider audience as a result.

Looking forward to seeing how Gats rebuilding plan for Wales plays out in the new few seasons, and hopefully seeing a few of these lads on the field out here in NZ playing the ABs!

It's a good insight to the demands, commitment, physical and mental challenge of top class rugby. If you like your rugby and especially the six nations then it's a good watch.

Some areas could be improved eg the editing of play is so disjointed that even if you know what's happening, it's not easy to follow the play. Also, not a single minute is dedicated to the fans (still got couple episodes to watch). This is so much a part of rugby and the six nations - the friendship between rival fans - it's a big miss IMHO.

Agree with some other reviews that if you don't know rugby, it's not very welcoming. I think adding screen graphics to give an insight into rules/reasons for decisions could have been a different approach eg as conversion being taken, on screen graphic showing line from where ball grounded and added text could have help the non-initiated.

I'm a big (England) rugby fan and the 2024 six nations was probably the closest fought tournament across all 6 teams that there has ever been.

Ireland and France were always favourites but actually all teams were capable of upsetting expected results, and that created a tournament full of results that were very close and could have easily have gone one way or another.

As a rugby fan, I don't believe that the series really showcased the drama of the tournament as a whole.

It was lost because of Netflix's intent on focusing on individuals rather than teams.

Rugby is not a game of individuals. Yes there are stars, but no one is greater than the team.

I just don't think the real drama of the 2024 six nations was shown in this series.

But I love the game so I still enjoyed the series.