Weekend Round-Up: Six Nations Kicks Off With An Edinburgh Epic

Catch up on the best of the weekend’s rugby as the Six Nations get underway.

Six Nations: Scotland vs Ireland
Full Game | Condensed
The 2017 Six Nations kicked off with a match for the ages. Unusually for the first weekend in February, conditions in Edinburgh were perfect for running, expansive rugby, and both teams took full advantage. Scotland – the new-look, aggressive, marauding, inventive Scotland – went wide at every opportunity and had two tries on the board while Ireland were still, figuratively at least, savouring the occasion. Then, the visitors finally realised the game had started, and began to play… It was a breathless and breathtaking first half, but there was better to come, as Ireland roared back in the second. Scotland needed Bravehearts everywhere as they dug deep, then deeper, then dug some more to repel a colossal Irish fightback. Going into the final quarter, though, it seemed their efforts would be in vain…

Six Nations: England vs France
Full Game | Condensed
After that thrilling spectacle in Edinburgh, England and France brooded their way through a dark, psychological drama of a match. Les Bleus played with renewed conviction and resolve, often eclipsing their hosts for long periods; but Eddie Jones’s stubborn England hung on, refusing by little more than sheer force of champions’ will, to be knocked down. Scott Spedding, Virimi Vakatawa, Kevin Gourdon and Louis Picamoles were immense, but France could not find the killer blow – until replacement prop Rabah Slimani blunderbussed over with 20 minutes left. They thought it was all over, but this drama had not played out. You will probably spot the twist coming, but even if you know how the game ends, it is still compelling viewing.

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Six Nations: Italy vs Wales
Full Game | Condensed
Wild Roman weather conspired to end any hope of an exhibition of running rugby at Stadio Olimpico, but despite increasingly slippery underfoot conditions, there were still mesmerising moments of skill and bravery to enjoy. Sergio Parisse, a mesmerising permanent moment of skill all by himself, was at the heart of almost everything good that Italy did. Sam Warburton’s try-saving work at the breakdown under his own post will have flankers and would-be flankers purring, and George North’s 70m race to the line was a thing of beauty and joy forever. Michele Campagnaro’s late break, meanwhile, will leave many wondering why he spent so long on bench-warming duties. Wales’ unanswered 30 points in the second half are almost incidental.