RUGBY WRAP: Sharks smacked by Stormers in Durban and drama aplenty in first round of Six Nations

URC: Stormers take control of SA Shield after big win over Sharks

The second-placed Stormers scored six tries as they tore the Sharks to pieces in a resounding 46-19 victory at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Saturday. The result of the rescheduled round one fixture now sees the defending champions sit 10-points clear at the summit of the SA Shield, with the Sharks 17-points back in third on the local standings. Overall the Durbanites are eighth with their hopes of securing a home playoff place looking increasingly likely to be an uphill battle.

After a lightning start, the Stormers earned a healthy lead before a late Gerbrandt Grobler try made it 24-7 to the visitors at the break. The second half wasn’t much better for the Sharks, who again conceded early on to trail 43-7 at a stage before a converted Dan Jooste effort, coupled with Grobler’s second score made the scoreline slightly more respectable. Manie Libbok had the final say of the game late on through a penalty to complete a memorable win for the Capetonians.

Six Nations R1: Ireland comprehensive in win over Wales

World No 1 Ireland recorded a comfortable 34-10 over Wales at the Principality Stadium in the first game of this season’s Six Nations on Saturday. Andy Farrell’s boys scored as early as the second minute through Caelan Doris and added another several minutes later after James Ryan dotted down. A James Lowe effort a while later saw the Irish take a mammoth 27-3 lead into the break and although Wales rallied hard to draw the second-half 7-all, they were never really in it.

The result in Cardiff will provide Ireland with plenty of confidence as they head into their second-round clash with France in Dublin, while Wales will look to build on their performance; Warren Gatland’s first outing since returning to the head coach hot seat.

Six Nations R1: Scotland achieve Calcutta Cup threepeat

Scotland secured the Calcutta Cup for the third season in a row thanks to a thrilling 29-23 victory at Twickenham on Saturday. The visitors opened the scoring through recently recalled midfielder Huw Jones before Max Malins put England back in it. Malins would score another to go with an Owen Farrell penalty ahead of the break, but not before Duhan van der Merwe scored an absolute worldie as the hosts headed for the shed with a slender 13-12 lead.

Another tight forty minutes of footy followed, but van der Merwe’s second try with seven minutes to go ultimately condemned Steve Borthwick to a losing start to his reign as England boss.

Six Nations R1: France scrape past stubborn Italy

France were made to work hard for an eventual 29-24 win over Italy at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday in a game that could have gone either way. The defending champions, unbeaten in their last 13-Tests, looked likely to cruise to victory after leading 19-6 with half an hour gone, but the hosts clawed their way back into the contest to lead 24-22 with less than a quarter to play. Unfortunately for them though, Matthieu Jalibert scored thereafter as the French hung on for the win.

There’s plenty for Fabien Galthie’s charges to work on as they head to Dublin in the second round for a blockbuster clash with Ireland, while the Italians head to Twickenham.