Shaun Goosen looks back at the weekend's rugby action which saw France grab an all-important win against Ireland, URC wins for the Sharks as well as the Stormers and more!
France down Ireland in Paris thriller
France beat Ireland 30-24 at the Stade de France on Saturday to keep their Grand Slam hopes alive and assume command of the Six Nations. Fabian Galthie’s charges are now the only remaining unbeaten side in the competition following Scotland’s loss in Cardiff. While Ireland were always going to be at a disadvantage after Johnny Sexton was ruled out with a hamstring injury, the hosts were deserving of their win and will now be favourites to go all the way.
An Antoine Dupont score within two minutes teed Les Bleu up nicely from the outset, and while Mack Hansen scored an electric individual try a few minutes later, France went into the break with a 19-7 lead. Ireland fought back hard in the second stanza, winning it 17-11 after tries to Josh van der Flier and Jamieson Gibson-Park, but another five-pointer to Cyril Baille pretty much sealed the deal for the French with over a quarter of the game to play.
Wales down Scotland, Italy no match for England
Wales beat Scotland 20-17 at the Principality on Saturday to pick up their first win of the championship. The result came as a hammer blow to supporters of Stuart Hogg and his men, who many were hoping would push the likes of Ireland and France hard for a rare shot at the title. It was not to be, however, as Dan Biggar and his troops produced a fantastic shift to come away with four log points.
In Rome on Sunday, a Marcus Smith-inspired English side blanked Italy 33-0 to register their first win of the tournament. 23-year-old Smith put in a Man of the Match performance to guide Eddie Jones’ men to an easy win following a week in which they were under huge pressure from parts of the media. While there will be greater tests ahead, they will head into the week’s break second on the standings.
Sharks overcome Bulls, Stormers thump Lions
The Sharks beat the Bulls 29-22 at Loftus on Saturday after both sides were reduced to 14-men. The visitors (12th) lost Morne Steyn after he was sent off following an uncharacteristically horrendous hit on Lukhanyo Am early in the first half, while Sharks’ scrumhalf Grant Williams got his marching orders later on after a collision with Chris Smit. Despite a late Bulls comeback, the Durbanites (ninth) held on for the win.
The Stormers beat the Lions 32-10 in Johannesburg. The men from the Cape maintained their great run of form to rise to seventh on the standings as the country’s highest placed team. The hosts are 14th after picking up just two wins from their nine games so far.
