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Six Nations: 5 things we've learned from half-way point weekend
By PA
Ireland and England edged two desperately close encounters while France ran amok against Italy as the third round of the Guinness Six Nations delivered more thrills and spills.
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Here, the PA news agency examines five things learned from the weekend’s action.
England turn the tide
“There is loads for us to get better at” was Maro Itoje’s diplomatic assessment as England staged the ultimate smash and grab raid on Scotland, who dominated the Allianz Stadium showdown on just about every meaningful attacking metric including the try count of three to one. But. to their credit, Steve Borthwick’s men appear to have found a knack of winning. After a year of falling agonisingly short in tight finishes against top opposition, they have reeled off successive one-point victories against France and Scotland. They may be riding their luck at times but the resilience being shown at clutch moments is a precious step forward.
Advantage Fin Smith
A sliding doors moment in the race for the British and Irish Lions fly-half duties may have unfolded at Allianz Stadium. While Scotland’s favourite for the jersey Finn Russell missed a late match-winning conversion, as well as his two other shots at goal and was bumped off in the tackle, Fin Smith was showing his mettle in adversity. A momentum-changing hit on Tom Jordan was followed up with a monster penalty that ultimately won the game for England. Some of Russell’s attacking play was irresistible but Smith showed the steelier nerves when it mattered. Ireland’s rising star Sam Prendergast is also displaying some classy touches but, after just two Test starts, the 22-year-old Smith is right in mix.
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France are back
Fabien Galthie wanted a reaction after France blew their chance against England in round two and his heavily-changed team duly delivered an 11-try rout of Italy. Antoine Dupont’s influence was stamped all over their record Six Nations victory and the two-try captain even finished the game playing at fly-half en route to taking the man-of-the-match award. Wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey was also a major threat as France’s accuracy and power set up their title collision with unbeaten Ireland in Dublin on March 8. On this evidence, France are going to take some stopping.
Sherratt’s minor miracle
Wales went into their Six Nations clash against Ireland as 25-1 no-hopers but ended it with pride restored and re-established as a competitive force after giving the Grand Slam-chasing Irish their biggest test of the Six Nations so far. Interim boss Sherratt masterminded a stunning transformation over the course of four training sessions as Wales fans left the Principality Stadium full of hope rather than despair. Scotland are next up, followed by England, and Wales will fancy their chances after delivering comfortably their best performance since crushing Australia during the 2023 World Cup.
Great teams find a way to win
Ireland, the world-ranked number two nation, far from lived up to that status for large parts of a gripping encounter against Wales. Trailing 18-10 and with centre Garry Ringrose having received a 20-minute red card, it appeared that they would struggle to find a way back. But when the going got tough, the tough got going, with Ringrose’s replacement Bundee Aki making a breathtaking contribution in all areas and rookie fly-half Sam Prendergast kicking three nerveless penalties when pressure was at its most intense. There was no panic, just calm decision-making when it really mattered. Bring on France.
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Finn Russell comprehensively outplayed Fin Smith. Russell is a proven kicker. An off day and all difficult angled kicks unlike Smiths.
Another thing we learned is that England are all but eliminated from the title race. Odds have drifted badly to 16-20-1.
If Ireland beat France England cant catch them. If France beat Ireland they will need France to draw/lose against Scotland.
France’s performance against Italy brings up a physicality issue for Ireland. Quite simply Ireland can not allow France have the fornt foot, Dupont and co will not be missing chances like Twickenham.
Joe McCarthy will start, Beirne to no 6, and Furlong on the bench if fit.
Ireland will use kicking and territory to move France around the park and conserve energy. If France win: it will be massive momentum for them towards the Nations League next year and RWC 2027.
Russell’s first kick was not difficult angled at all for a player of his caliber. But fair play, everybody can have a bad day off the tee, this doesn’t make him a lesser player by any means.
Not quite so sure I would say advantage Fin Smith. Kicked well and tackled well granted, but Finn Russell controlled the game.