Five things we learned from the second round of Six Nations action
France put themselves in pole position for Guinness Six Nations glory, while Scotland were brought back down to earth with a bang.
Here, the PA news agency picks out things of note from round two of the championship.
France the team to beat
Les Bleus came into the tournament as favourites and underlined that status with a spellbinding win over Ireland in Paris. Billed as a potential early title decider, the pulsating contest did not disappoint. Antoine Dupont’s superb try set the tone and French physicality, intensity and speed of ball was, at times, off the scale to the delight of a raucous Stade de France crowd. Fabien Galthie’s formidable hosts are on a steady upward curve and marching relentlessly towards next year’s home World Cup. They are now undoubtedly the team to beat as they attempt to end a 12-year wait for championship glory.
New-look England add to Azzurri blues
Italy Under-20s made history on Friday by defeating England for the first time. There was no such joy for their senior counterparts, whose inclusion in the Six Nations continues to be the subject of much scrutiny. The Azzurri have now lost a remarkable 34 championship matches in a row, dating back to 2015. Eddie Jones’ much-changed England healed some wounds from their opening-day setback against Scotland but, in truth, a routine 33-0 win in Rome was entirely predictable. Following Saturday’s gripping drama in Cardiff and Paris, too many matches involving the Italians are relative non-events.
Five-horse race
While France currently have the upper hand, the standings are nicely poised going into a two-week break. Only perennial wooden spoon winners Italy are out of title contention, with Ireland, England, Wales and Scotland each retaining hope of chasing down the pacesetters on the back of a win and defeat apiece. For all of Les Bleus’ early promise, their rivals can perhaps take some comfort from them having had the benefit of two home matches. In-form Ireland, in particular, should move forward full of confidence after continuing their progression under Andy Farrell by impressing in defeat in the French capital.
Dispiriting defeat for Scotland
Scotland had everything going for them ahead of their trip to Wales, having claimed a stirring Calcutta Cup victory and facing a team dismantled by Ireland seven days earlier. The Scots had not won in Cardiff since 2002, yet they were clear favourites to pile more Six Nations misery on the defending champions. Gregor Townsend’s side, though, failed to nail key moments and fly-half Finn Russell’s yellow card 12 minutes from time cost them dearly. Two of their last three games are against France and Ireland, so they have now got it all to do in an attempt to stop their campaign from fizzling out.
Welsh warriorse
They might have a combined age of 65, but Dan Biggar and Jonathan Davies proved once again their unremitting commitment to the cause. Both players celebrated 100th Test match appearances for Wales and the British and Irish Lions in style, with captain Biggar defying a knee issue to kick 15 points, including a match-winning drop-goal, and centre Davies making two critical late tackles after going on as a substitute when the Scots were pressing relentlessly. The next World Cup might be 19 months away, but expect both to be there – and still performing.
Comments on RugbyPass
I’m predicting an aggregate points difference of no more than +/-10pts across both matches this series.
1 Go to commentsI’m predicting an aggregate points difference of no more than +/-10pts across both matches this series.
3 Go to commentsFinals are always tense affairs for the players so I do not expect this to be a spectacle of running rugby unfortunately.
1 Go to commentsBulls***': Ex-England international calls out Eben Etzebeth… Not to his face but from very far away… after he’d left. Checked to make sure he wasn’t in the building.
85 Go to commentsHopefully this will mean a new Auckland league team to support in the west. Big Warriors fan but it’s very, very stale on that front and I’d like the option of another team if it was to watch league again. League needs to step up BIG time if its to get anywhere, another AK team and something from the capitol or south is a must for the game.
3 Go to commentsGood, deep interview, nice job Frankie!
1 Go to commentsNRL players don’t have anywhere near the number of Tests. Some people would be happy having Rest Homes full if 40 yo ex-players walking, or hobbling more like it, into walls. It’s just a game!
4 Go to commentsNOW Razor is worried about ABs getting injured or overplayed! Didn’t bother him last year. He happily played his AB Crusaders.
4 Go to commentsWhat is the World Rugby U20 players born year.
2 Go to commentsMuch like the Chiefs finally gave up waiting for Atu Moli to ever not be injured, you have to wonder if the Chiefs and Crusaders will let Josh Lord and Ethan Blackadder go next season. They’re being well paid to sit in the injury ward every year. Better off putting those funds towards someone who might actually play.
7 Go to commentsShowed better basic skills than some nz Super sides, who probably would have botched some of those backline moves. This tournament really is too short though. Needs more teams, or have them play two rounds to properly prepare them for the near full-time NH U20 sides.
4 Go to commentsGood grief it’s only six months. Probably just upset it’s not an established kiwi entering their prime they can “project” into green to join the rest.
2 Go to commentsGood player but far from being best in the world. That's an exaggeration. Perhaps Best in world by Northern Hemisphere standards and biasis but certainly not Southern Hemi standards
3 Go to commentsWell one thing about World Cup knock out rounds and Ireland is very clear: they won’t be getting ahead of themselves in ‘27! Because making it beyond the QF is well and truly ‘IN THEIR HEADS’ now…😉
85 Go to commentsHas this guy been dope tested? Sounds like a case of “roid rage”.
1 Go to commentsI would like to see him say that to Eben face to face in a dark alley.
85 Go to commentsYep, lost in translation. There are arrogant people in Ireland, yes. As there are arrogant people in every country, but as a nation, arrogance is not a general characteristic in Ireland. There has not really had a strong representation for any global sport over the years, and hence arrogance is not endemic to Irish people in this regard. I seriously doubt that was said or meant by 12 or 13 players. If it was said, it would have been said in jest and to pay Etzebeth and the Springboks a compliment for how hard fought the game was.
85 Go to commentsOne of the few Bidwell articles I can agree with. If coaches played their players through niggles and consistently played them 80mins then you could make an argument for resting protocols - they obviously don’t and are incredibly responsible, let’s give up the resting nonsense and let the boys play.
4 Go to commentsDaniel Gallan, please for the love of all that is holy, stop writing about rugby. Or at the very least stop telling people you are South African.
21 Go to commentsThis Dr.Rassie 6-2 filth is spreading. We need to ask World Rugby to ban something
1 Go to comments