6 Nations: Round 2. Only 1 team can Grand Slam but 3 others can win the competition
Round 2 of the 6 Nations took place in generally miserable weather causing rare handling errors and giving chances to underdogs.
Match 1 saw Italy at home to Wales who were trying avoid a 14th consecutive defeat on the international circuit. In pouring rain, a scrappy first half finished 16-3 to the hosts who were measurably better but only able to score 1 converted try. In the second half, Wales scored 2 tries, one in the closing moments with Italy down to 13 men but 2 more penalties for Italy saw them run out the winners 22-15. Note that Wales provided 10 players for the last Lions tour to Australia 12 years ago but today, the national team is a shadow of its great past.
Match 2 pitted France against England at Twickenham where the hosts were justifiably the underdogs. Damp conditions (hardly a rarity in Europe in February) caused a first half of handling errors and wasted opportunities with the first score, a try for France not coming until the 29th minute. Despite more possession by Les Bleus, ENG drew level at the half with a converted try, 7-7. H2 saw a more spirited match with both sides going at each other hard cheered on by over 80,000 fans. ENG stayed behind until the 70th minute scoring a converted try (19-18) only for France to score their own 4 minutes later (19-25). But ENG weren’t done and a last minute try by veteran Eliot Daley converted by Finn not Marcus Smith took England to the showers as victors, 26-25. A great match for everyone.
The last match of the weekend had the only 2 teams left who could win a Grand Slam and hopes were high at Murrayfield that Scotland would convert their recent run of form to a victory over the #2 side in the world. The Irish 15 had a very different view of the occasion and roared out of the gates with a 5th minute try and were 5-17 up at the half. Sexton replacement Prendergast has slotted into his #10 role well (21 years old) to the dismay of Ireland’s opponents and he and the team scored 2 more tries and a penalty to run out 18-32 winners. Scotland were not helped by fly half Finn Russell being substituted due to injury but Ireland are really tough to beat anyway.
Ireland are on top with 2 bonus point wins and 10 pts with France and England joint 2nd on 6 pts, Scotland in 4th with 5 pts and Italy 5th with 4 pts. With 3 matches left, Ireland’s main test comes against France on March 8 between Wales and Italy; France have Ireland and Scotland (in Paris) a slightly more tricky route than England who have Scotland at home on Feb. 22 followed by Italy and Wales. Even Italy, with bonus point wins against France, England and Ireland could win but …… unlikely. So lots to play for but for anyone other than Ireland to be hoisting the trophy, France NEED to win in Dublin on March 8.
Next up, on February 22: WAL vs. IRE and ENG vs. SCO, February 23: ITA vs. FRA.