The third round of the RBS 6 Nations was held on the weekend and two teams had a perfect record going into it.
England had the best chance to keep their Grand Slam hopes alive, playing a battered Ireland at home, whereas France, had to travel to Cardiff.
In the other game Scotland went to Rome to try to avoid the wooden spoon, it seemed, and Italy was there licking its lips to make sure they got it.
“Bardon” and I describe the action
George North – scored try after playing pinball
Wales 19 — France 10
by Lee Grant
Wales beat France for the fifth time in a row in a scrappy game in Cardiff. They may have scored one try apiece but Wales was clearly the better side.
The first 40 minutes had a penalty goal count of 2-1 for a scoreline of 6-3 to Wales at half-time.
Defences were too good for the attack of these teams. France did best stopping Wales at 40 minutes when LHP Poroit and flanker Burban clamped onto the ball like limpets when Wales’ hooker Baldwin threatened their line.
Wales had a good air game and France were better at the ruck. They were also better at running from one side of the field to the other. Their only incursion was at 32 minutes when Mermoz got the ball from Plisson and ran straight before passing to winger Vakatawa.
Wales had their best chance five minutes later when scrummie Gareth Davies made a signature break before running across the field to link with team mates. This try attempt just missed and Wales led 6-3 at half-time.
Five minutes after the restart and a penalty to Wales, France lost the ball and Jonathan Davies kicked it through for George North. The flying winger tried to tap it over the goal line and missed it, but Plisson of France soccered it into his legs and the Welshman was able to regather it to score. Wales 16-3.
At about 50 minutes France parked in the Wales’ 22 for 13 minutes and had referee Barnes whistled according to Hoyle, France should have scored a try to change the game. But Wales cleared and France didn’t get their only try until the 78th minute when Guilhem Guirado scored from a maul.
Wales did enough to win but France didn’t fire many shots because they didn’t have the right ammunition and didn’t aim right either. They missed their bruiser no. 8 Louis Picamoles and most dangerous centre, Wesley Fofana.
Game changer – The North try put Wales ahead 16-3 and forced France to play rugby. It didn’t do them much good but at least they attempted to score tries and not kick for the sticks.
Man of the match – Guilhem Guirado was the best of the visitors, and the official winner, Gareth Davies, was dangerous on the snipe, but the GAGR award goes to Toby Faletau for his big log of tackles and hard no. 8 play.
ESPN match details here
Italy’s captain courageous Sergio Parisse
Scotland 36 — Italy 20
by Lee Grant
Scotland ended their nine-game losing streak in Six Nations by opening up Italy too may times. Often they looked like a a half-decent team trying to avoid the wooden spoon in Rome, and occasional Italy did also.
After Italy slotted a penalty, they had three defenders on two attackers in their own 22, and a shooter missed a tackle that stuffed everything up. Barclay was over and Scotland led 7-3.
The visitors played wide and offloaded but at 16 minutes flyhalf Russell did a con job on Italy up the middle 40 metres out and set up Hardie to for a corner try. Their two opensiders (one with 6 on his back) had scored the opening tries and Laidlaw was knocking them over out wide: Scotland 14-3.
Italy could have dropped their bundle after another Laidlaw goal, but when chunky inside centre Garcia got the ball 25 metres out, near the half-hour mark, he set up prop Ghiraldini, who was happy after having a bad time in the scrums.
Half-time score: Scotland 17-10.
Italy kicked a penalty goal in the third quarter, but relieved the pressure on Scotland with bad discipline and Laidlaw potted three of them. Scotland 26-13 near the hour mark.
But soon after there was a ray of hope when Scot flyhalf, Russell, was carded and Italy scored immediately through Fuser. Italy 20-26.
But Laidlaw increased the Scotland lead with another goal with 13 minutes remaining, and near the end their fullback, Stuart Hogg, attracted two tacklers instead of one and Seymour scored.
Final score: Scotland 36-20.
Scotland were more desperate and were able to keep ball in hand against a team whose defence was not as punishing as the two teams they had played earlier.
After going close against France in the opener it must having been galling for Italy to lose by 16 against a team they beat at Murrayfield last year. But too many errors and bad discipline cost them.
Game changer – this may have been when Italy captain Sergio Parisse decided to not to kick for goal when Italy were nine points down with ten minutes left—and sliding doors could have opened for a converted try to win the match.
Man of the match – There were a few candidates from Scotland and Parisse carried well and made breaks for Italy, but the GAGR award goes to Greg Laidlaw.
ESPN match details here
England 21 — Ireland 10
by “Bardon”
England came from behind to end Ireland’s defence of their 6 Nations title.
Ireland opened the scoring following a scrum penalty against Cole for changing his binding. Sexton obliged from the tee and Ireland led 3-0 after six minutes.
Five minutes later when Stander was pinged for not rolling away Farrell tied the game up at 3-3.
England’s line speed caused Ireland problems throughout the first half. The Irish, attacking from deep, often found themselves going backwards.
By contrast England made plenty of yards through Billy Vunipola and Itoje. Haskell was a nuisance at the breakdown.
England dominated territory with the vast majority of the first half played in Irish territory. Only England’s poor execution kept the scores even.
England twice went close to scoring the opening try. First Vunipola reacted quickly to an advantage to drive for the corner only to be bundled out just short of the line.
Then Hartley got the ball down under the posts but he was adjudged to have gone again after the tackle.
Farrell finally gave England the lead after good work by Haskell forced the Irish to hold on. Half time score 6-3.
Five minutes into the half Haskell found himself in the bin when he went high on Murray. Ireland took advantage advantage as Murray snipped from the back of a ruck to score the game’s first try. Sexton made it 10-6.
Farrell brought England within one point after Toner was penalised, 10-9 with 30 to go.
With England back to their full complement a Nowell break on the right brought England close to the Irish line. A few quick recycles later Watson dived over in the left corner, 14-10.
England struck again almost immediately as a Vunipola burst from the back of a maul sucked in Irish defenders. England put it through the hands and Brown went outside the narrow Irish defence to score in the corner. Farrell made it 21-10.
In the final 15 minutes Ireland twice went close. First Henshaw was tackled as a stretched to score then van der Flier seemed to have scored but the replays were inconclusive on the grounding.
Game Changer – With England leading 21-10 Nowell made a try saving tackle on Henshaw as a looked to score in the corner. The try would have given Ireland time and momentum to possibly go on and win.
Man of the Match – the GAGR award has to go to Billy Vunipola for another dominant display.
Rugby is the game they play in Heaven. So you might ask why is it not more popular? As in all religious matters the heathens greatly outnumber the devout, but the devout will receive their due reward in time.
ESPN match details here
The wrap-up
England remains the only team with a perfect record of no losses and no draws but it won’t mean anything if they lose to Wales in Round 4 at Twickenham in two weeks’ time.
If Wales win that game they will nudge ahead on the ladder and likely win the trophy because they play Italy in the last round while England are against France in Paris.
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