Round one of the Six Nations certainly didn’t disappoint, with three thrilling matches taking place on the weekend. Shaun Goosen reviews.
France 17-38 Ireland in Marseille on Friday
Defending champions Ireland put 14-man France to the sword in a display that places them in pole position to defend their championship title. Johnny Sexton heir Jack Crowley overcame an indifferent start to produce a solid display at flyhalf while Leinsterman Joe McCarthy justified his selection ahead of veteran James Ryan with a Man of the Match performance that should see him keep hold of the No 4 jersey going forward.
On the other side of the fence, France were directionless in attack and passive on defence and there’s a good case to be made that even had Paul Willemse not been sent off for his second yellow card in the first-half, Fabien Galthie’s men may still have finished second best. While that in itself isn’t too surprising given some of the names unavailable for selection at present (*cough Antoine Dupont cough*), the nature of the performance raises a lot of questions heading into their second-round tie at Murrayfield.
⌚️ There was plenty of time for Dan Sheehan to crash over the line for the bonus point try for Ireland to kick off their #GuinnessM6N title defence against France! #Breitling #DefiningMoment @Breitling pic.twitter.com/QHsU6Xz2KZ
— Guinness Men's Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) February 5, 2024
Italy 24-27 England in Rome on Saturday
Italy showed plenty of fight in their narrow Stadio Olimpico defeat which will stand them in good stead ahead of their daunting trip to Dublin this weekend. A converted touchdown after the final hooter earned them a valuable bonus-point and there’ll be plenty to build on for Gonzalo Quesada’s outfit, who outscored the visitors three tries to two.
England did well to grind out the result but they’ll know only a massive improvement across the board will do if they are to stage a genuine title challenge this season. Can they deliver more against Wales at Twickenham on Saturday?
⌚️ Alex Mitchell selected the opportune moment to crash his way over the line for England and steer them towards an opening round victory against Italy 🙌#Breitling #DefiningMoment @Breitling pic.twitter.com/joBH2281NK
— Guinness Men's Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) February 3, 2024
Wales 26-27 Scotland in Cardiff
The undoubted clash of the round, Scotland managed to hang on for a first win in the Welsh capital in 22-years after leading 27-0 at one stage early in the second-half. Despite the huge scoreline, Wales showed their characteristic dogfight to claw their way back into the contest, thanks in large part to a Scottish side leaking penalties.
While it wasn’t enough to salvage their impressive head-to-head record in Cardiff, Wales will be pleased that they didn’t lie down and die. England in London next up for them while the Scots welcome a hurting French team to Edinburgh.
Sensational rugby, Duhan with his second of the game 💙#WALvSCO #GuinnessM6N pic.twitter.com/xFXAOznt44
— Guinness Men's Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) February 3, 2024
