Ben’s “redemption” had nothing to do with last night.

The scene was set, two minutes on the clock. The Pittsburgh Steelers down by six to the Green Bay Packers in the fourth quarter of SuperBowl 45. A Hollywood ending was in store. The Steelers would do what they do. Grind down the field. Pop it to big Ben Roethlisberger and he would find a way to win.

Ink would be spilled and blogs filled with the redemption play. His throw to the end zone that would banish that bawdy Georgian night last March which led to an charge of sexual assault from a twenty-year old college student against him. A charge that was dropped by the authorities and ultimately only cost Roethlisberger four regular season games due to suspension from the NFL.

His suspension mirrored that of another pyrotechnic quarter-back Michael Vick. Having served eighteen months in prison for his part in a dog fighting ring Vick earned this years NFL comeback player of the year. He has garnered praise not only for his astounding performances for the Philadelphia Eagles but also for his work with anti-dog fighting organisations.

Vick is the prime example to some in America of how the prison system should work. He committed crimes that were withering in their cruelty but he served his time and has worked hard to make himself a better person and with that a better player. That may be a utopian view but it can be argued. Big Ben is an altogether more grey case.

Sport, we have been led to believe, shows the character of someone. The Chicago Bears quarter-back Jay Cutler was straight up lacking balls for some, because he went off injured in the NFC championship game against Green Bay three weeks ago. I myself, have to admit, questioned his fortitude as pictures of him ambling around on the sideline were beamed back from Solider field.

We have all heard about Brett Favre or Roethlisberger playing with injures. In the first quarter last night Ben was feeling his knee-something Cutler failed to do to convince the likes of me- but then went on a storming run to pick up the first down. Character? Balls.

Just as no-one can question Cutlers bravery because he didn’t sell his injury effectively, can anyone say Roethlisburger is a better or worse person today because he lost a football match. Vick has at least shown he is trying to change. All Roethlisberger has shown this season is he is a very good quarter-back. Had he thrown the winning touchdown pass last night do the questions or the allegations ( He is also being sued by a Nevada hotel employee for sexual assault, a case going back to 2008) disappear? Of course not.

Football is perhaps the most macho of sports. Quarter-backs look up from beneath their face-masks at packs of ravenous hunters with eyes only for them. Roethlisberger is from the Favre gunslinger school. Inviting them into the pocket and dodging their shots.

They get hit, they get up, they play on. But Big Ben hasn’t sold the reformed character yet. He may never do, but one things for sure the win/loss column has no bearing on it.

Six Nations Preview.

Ireland : With France and England at home, this is Ireland’s best chance of repeating the grand slam. But injuries have crippled the side and concerns about scrum-half and the perennial lack of a specialist seven could scupper any title bid. Miniscule chance of the slam, marginal one at the championship.

The coach: It is crunch time for Declan Kidney. Nothing he can do about injuries, but the selection of O’Callaghan and O’Leary against Italy smacks of conservatism. It may feel like an eternity in Rome on Saturday.

One to watch: Mike Ross. Ireland may have found the answer to their tight head woes. Should the Corkman stabilize the scrum, Sean O’Brien and co can wreak havoc from the base.

England: Which one will you get? The free-flowing tyros who so impressively swatted aside Australia last November, or the team that melted against South Africa? If the former, than genuine slam contenders. The latter will do well to stay above Scotland.

The coach: It is to Martin Johnston’s credit that he has tried to move away from a forward dominated game but England’s midfield lacks any class. Friday night lights in Cardiff could well decide their season and Johnston’s coaching career.

One to watch: Ben Youngs. Already a household name, Youngs combines lightening pace with an intuitive rugby brain. Needs Toby Flood and co to attack the gainline though.

France: Where to start? The only thing you can be sure about with the French is that you won’t be sure just what they are going to do next. From the sublime to the faintly ridiculous. Should the right team be picked they win. Simple as. Not much chance of that happening though.

The coach: There may be a method to Marc Liévermont’s madness. Should Le Bleus win the big one in September, he will be remembered as a crazy genius. Until then, he’s just crazy.

One to watch: Maxime Mermoz. Selected ahead of the legendary Yannick Jauzion for the Scotland match, the Perpignan man is in the form of his life. His partnership with Aurélien Rougerie has limitless potential.

Italy: They will be brave, they will scrummage like beasts and they will ultimately fail. Nick Mallet has done an admirable job with the Auzzuri but the lack of quality in the backline means another wooden spoon awaits. They will give Ireland a fright however.

The coach: Mallet has maximised the resources at his disposal. He will target the Ireland game as his best chance of a win and to gain any possible edge for a quarter-final knock-out down under in September.

One to watch: Sergio Parisse. Stating the bloody obvious I know, but it is glorious to watch the No:8 rage against the light. Expect barnstorming runs, soft hands and astounding athleticism. He may even throw in the odd drop-goal.

Wales: Any ambitions of a title were probably cut short in the valleys when Adam Jones and Gethin Jenkins were ruled out through injury. They will hit England with everything they have got Friday night however and should they prevail then who knows?

The coach: Warren Gatland likes a verbal spat with the opposition as highlighted with his pop at English hooker Dylan Hartley. He should concentrate on keeping his job as his win ratio is getting negative fast.

One to watch: James Hook. Liable to throw an intercept pass but also capable of genuine class. The Osprey man wants to play at ten and is bound for France to do so. He needs to make his mark in the centre or at 15 for Wales to be a force.

Scotland. Commitment, passion and the catchiest of all the anthems wont be enough for the Scots to challenge for the championship. But undoubtedly awkward opponents for all but France who they just cannot beat.

The coach: Andy Robinson has done a very good job with Scotland. Test wins in Argentina are rare as are any slayings of Springbok’s but he has not got the required class in his backs to take them up another level .

One to watch: John Barclay. How Ireland would love this guy. A seven with the perfect mix of groundhog abilities and rangy running. He will be to the fore of everything good in navy.