After a two week break the Six Nations returned on the weekend, but one would hardly notice given the lack of expansive rugby on offer. Maybe next week, we hope.
SCOTLAND 18 vs 28 WALES
Saturday, March 9, 14:30 GMT, Edinburgh
As expected, excitement was at a premium at Murrayfield. Pillows might have sold better than pints as a horrendous amount of penalties ground any hint of action to a shuddering halt. Of the threadbare football that was played, Wales had the ascendency with their physicality in defense and directness on attack.
Richard Hibbard scored the only try of the match, appropriately from a pick and drive, and the rest went to the kickers. Leigh Halfpenny managed to rebound from three straight early misses to slot his last seven in a 23 point performance. Also of note were the successful returns of Alun Wyn Jones and Sam Warburton, who both would have caught the eye of Warren Gatland who was in attendance.
SCORING
Scotland – G. Laidlaw 6p
Wales – L. Halfpenny 1c 7p, R. Hibbard 1t
CARDS
Wales – P. James yellow
SCOTLAND
S. Hogg; S. Maitland, S. Lamont, M. Scott, T. Visser; D. Weir, G. Laidlaw; R. Grant, R. Ford, E. Murray (G. Cross 76); R. Gray (A. Kellock 29), J. Hamilton; R. Harley, K. Brown (capt.), J. Beattie (R. Wilson 68).
WALES
L. Halfpenny; A. Cuthbert, J. Davies, J. Roberts (S. Williams 72), G. North; D. Biggar, M. Phillips (L. Williams 72); P. James (R. Bevington 80), R. Hibbard (K. Owens 60), A. Jones; A. W. Jones, I. Evans; R. Jones (capt.) (J. Tipuric 48), S. Warburton, T. Faletau.
IRELAND 13 vs 13 FRANCE
Saturday, March 9, 17:00 GMT, Dublin
Dreadful weather in Dublin contributed to a difficult game for both sides. Each were desperate for a win but neither capable of taking their chances as several opportunities for points went begging. Ireland looked to be in control of the match in the first half and took a ten point lead into the intermission after an early try from captain Jamie Heaslip.
The second half was a different story, as the French refused to capitulate and a Morgan Parra penalty brought them to within a score. A real head scratcher from Declan Kidney came when he replaced man-of-the-match Conor Murray with a quarter of the match to play and the game still in the balance. It proved costly as Les Bleus clawed back and eventually Louis Picamoles crossed from a quick tap penalty to leave the scores level.
SCORING
Ireland – P. Jackson 1c 2p, J. Heaslip 1t
France – F. Michalak 1c 1p, M. Parra 1p, L. Picamoles 1t
IRELAND
R. Kearney; F. McFadden (L. Fitzgerald 62), B. O’Driscoll (C. Murray 71-75), L. Marshall (I. Madigan 71), K. Earls; P. Jackson, C. Murray (E. Reddan 62 {S. Cronin 79}); C. Healy, R. Best, M. Ross; M. McCarthy, D. Ryan (D. O’Callaghan 67); P. O’Mahony (I. Henderson 76), S. O’Brien, J. Heaslip (capt.).
FRANCE
Y. Huget; V. Clerc, F. Fritz (M. Bastareaud 52-58, 67), W. Fofana, M. Medard; F. Michalak, M. Parra; T. Domingo (V. Debaty 65), B. Kayser (G. Guirado 67), N. Mas; C. Samson, Y. Maestri (S. Vaha’amahina 50); Y. Nyanga (A. Claassen 65), T. Dusautoir (capt.), L. Picamoles.
ENGLAND 18 vs 11 ITALY
Sunday, March 10, 15:00 GMT, London
Somebody forgot to tell the Azzurri that the match was over before it began. A combination of Italian vigour and English indifference saw that the game remained a contest until the final whistle. Some tense moments at the end saw England forced to defend their line for several minutes, but Italy’s limited attack couldn’t find a way through the blockade.
The tries that many predicted would come for England never materialized, as all of their points came from the boot of Toby Flood, a fact that will not sit well with coach Stuart Lancaster ahead of their championship decider against Wales next week. The Italians will take pride from their performance, defending well and scoring a fine try on a wide kick from Luciano Orquera to Luke McLean.
SCORING
England – Toby Flood 6p
Italy – L. Orquera 2p, L. McLean 1t
CARDS
Italy – E. Gori yellow
ENGLAND
A. Goode; C. Ashton, M. Tuilagi, B. Barritt (B. Twelvetrees 66), M. Brown; T. Flood, D. Care (B. Youngs 57); M. Vunipola (J. Marler 57), T. Youngs (D. Hartley 71), D. Cole (D. Wilson 76); J. Launchbury, G. Parling (C. Lawes 45); J. Haskell (T. Croft 50), C. Robshaw (capt.), T. Wood.
ITALY
A. Masi; G. Venditti, G. Canale, G. Garcia, L. McLean (T. Benvenuti 71); L. Orquera, E. Gori (T. Botes 57); Al. de Merchi (A. Lo Cicero 76), L. Ghiraldini (D. Giazzon 58), M. Castrogiovanni (L. Cittadini 28); Q. Geldenhuys (A. Pavanello 62), J. Furno (F. Minto 62); A. Zanni, R. Barbieri (S. Favaro 62), S. Parisse (capt.).
