The penultimate week of the 2022 Guinness Six Nations is fast approaching and there is still plenty to play for. Rugby Raconteur is having a good championship correctly predicting 8 results out of the 9 games played to date. Let’s see how we see this weekend’s matches:
Wales v France
First up in the unpopular Friday night slot sees Wales welcome high-flying France to the Principality Stadium. Once gain these two teams carry the burden of playing night rugby. For Wales it is an especially poisoned chalice. They have played 10 Friday night fixtures in the Six Nations since their controversial introduction in 2009 - 6 of those matches at home with only 3 wins – a mere 50%-win rate – far below Wales normal home win rate.
Pivac and Wales can feel aggrieved by the standard of refereeing demonstrated by Mike Adamson. His refereeing performance also raised issues and arguably altered the result of the game at Twickenham. There were many areas of serious concern – the length of time it took to set scrums and the number of resets, and the consistency of judgment at the tackle and post-tackle among them.
The most critical aspect was also one of the simplest: the ability of the referee to preserve the legal space demanded at the formation of a lineout. The referee’s first mandate is, therefore, to establish a clear and obvious one-metre gap between the two lines, and ensure there is no contact between them before the ball is thrown in.
In the match at Twickenham, this rule was rarely observed – particularly on the Welsh throw, and particularly at lineouts in the two red zones, where the outcomes were much more likely to be significant.
Wales can feel particularly upset about the critical lineout in the 43rd minute which led to Alex Dombrandt’s controversial try. At first impression, it looks like miscommunication on the Welsh side between thrower (Elias) and caller (Adam Beard), which enables Alex Dombrandt to pick up the shrapnel at the tail and force his way over for the try.
When you watch the line out again, at the instant of release, there is no gap whatsoever between Adam Beard and Maro Itoje on the jump, or between Wyn Jones and Charlie Ewels, the two front lifters supporting them. Adam Beard has no room to even get off the ground, and it was very surprising that neither the referee himself nor his TMO found anything worth reviewing in the footage; or if they did, that they considered it irrelevant.
Credit must be given to Maro Itoje and the England forwards however, for exploiting to the full the loophole the officiating of the lineout offered them, right to the very end of the game.
The second area brought into focus was the treatment of head injuries. Wales have been very heavily criticised over handling of Tomas Francis’ head injury assessment against England.
Progressive Rugby wrote a letter to World Rugby, the Welsh Rugby Union and Six Nations Rugby, saying: “Francis attempts to stand and falls back and struggled to get to his feet.
“He is seen holding his head. He is then seen using the post for support. He displays clear signs of ataxia and of being dazed. Francis displayed clear symptoms/indications under the World Rugby Head Injury Assessment protocol that necessitate the immediate and permanent removal from play. No HIA was needed.
“While, after a delay, Francis was removed from the field he was, incorrectly, allowed to undergo an HIA assessment and returned to the field, playing until the 56th minute, at which time he was permanently replaced by Leon Brown.”
For Wayne Pivac, the game at Twickenham in Round 3 showed the best and worst of Welsh rugby. For the first half, Wales didn’t really show up comprehensively losing the forward battle whilst in the second half – the three tries’ Wales scored after 53 minutes also showed how periods of individual brilliance can beat one of the best organised defences in World rugby.
At 17-0 down, Welsh fans were fearing the worst because though they were dominant, England had been no great shakes. If the likes of Daly, Nowell and Smith clicked then Wales would have been dispatched with ease.
The side had other ideas, roaring back to register three well-worked tries, outscoring their opponents three to one. The catalyst to this comeback were two thirty-year-olds who have been no stranger to the treatment table in recent years. Alex Cuthbert nicknamed ‘Horse’ ran like a thoroughbred for 80 minutes in a throwback of his 2012-13 pomp. The other member of the band reunion was Taulupe Faletau who had played only 120 minutes of rugby since July 2021 and yet topped the tackle charts for Wales and carried for 66 metres, still driving through tackles to the game’s denouement.
There was also a zip to Wales’ back play that had been absent for some time. Josh Adams, returned to his rightful wing position, carried with venom, and Nick Tompkins, reinforced his growing influence in the team with a try and a performance laced with tenacity, dexterity, and no little skill. The shape and alertness of the backline was a sharp contrast to the out of sorts performance seen out in Dublin and Wayne Pivac has asked that, with two home fixtures, there is further progress in a team which has shown it can compete without Alun Wyn Jones and Ken Owens.
Wales don’t have the power and athleticism of the top nations up front, but they have generally done a better job of covering it up and using other areas of their game to get on top. And while Wales don’t have too many effective carriers, they have always managed to find good defenders and superb breakdown operators that bring the big boys to floor quickly and efficiently, and duly disrupt opposition ball.
When they are at their best, they are one of the most difficult teams to play against. Injuries, however, have hampered Wales significantly and being without the brains trust of Ken Owens, Alun Wyn Jones, Justin Tipuric and Josh Navidi has left them with big holes to fill.
Wales also, quite frankly, miss Shaun Edwards, with their defence nowhere near as effective since the departure of the Englishman to France. Although they did superbly well to stay in contention against England, it was, on several occasions, close to breaking point, while their efforts in Round One versus Ireland were abysmal.
Head coach Wayne Pivac rectified that somewhat by ending the Josh Adams experiment at centre and, as a result, they have been far more solid since then, but France will test how much they have improved in their next game. You do rather worry for them in that clash, with Galthie’s men no doubt fancying their chances of dominating the set-piece and giving Dupont plenty of quick ball to work with.
Wales will always battle, and Tomos Williams and Dan Biggar will put them in the right positions if the forwards are indeed competitive, but they just haven’t had the cattle this year to defend their Six Nations title.
Wayne Pivac has named a starting XV that shows four changes from the Guinness Six Nations round three 23-19 defeat to England but finds room to keep Tomas Francis and Josh Adams in the team despite their respective head knocks sustained in London.
The sole alteration in the backline sees Jonathan Davies restored to the midfield in place of Nick Tompkins. Tompkins misses the game because of a concussion injury sustained when starring in Saracens' victory over Leicester at the weekend.
Josh Navidi has been named in Wales’ side, just a few days after playing after playing for Cardiff in the URC last weekend, his first game since October. He makes his first appearance for Wales since facing France in last year’s Six Nations, a match in which he scored his first Test try for his country.
Seb Davies is selected at blind-side flanker, his third start for Wales in this position and first appearance in the starting XV since the Australia match last autumn. Taulupe Faletau (number 8) completes the back row.
The remaining Wales alteration is at loosehead where Gareth Thomas is named - starting his second match for Wales. He joins Ryan Elias and Tomas Francis in the front row.
Francis and Adams have been managed clinically by Wales medical personnel in following all the required return to play protocols, as specified in the World Rugby Regulations. Having suffered no adverse reactions and no complications in successfully completing each stage of the return to play protocols, both are available for selection.
Wales’ back three remains unchanged with Josh Adams and Alex Cuthbert selected on the wings and Liam Williams named at full-back.
For the fourth consecutive match Will Rowlands and Adam Beard continue in the second row, while captain Dan Biggar is at fly-half and Tomos Williams at scrum-half.
Among the replacements Dillon Lewis returns as tighthead cover and Louis Rees-Zammit is also named. Wyn Jones, Dewi Lake, Jac Morgan and Ross Moriarty are the other forward replacements. Kieran Hardy and Gareth Anscombe provide half back cover.
France continued their momentum towards the title and a Grand Slam with a Six try demolition of Scotland at Murrayfield. Many people wondered if their Murrayfield hoodoo would continue. Yes, France lost there in 2020, 2018 and 2016 but in case you haven’t noticed, this is a different France.
Mentally they are in a better place than they have been since Bernard LaPorte was head coach. It’s no coincidence that LaPorte is the peacemaker between their clubs and union, the leader who has facilitated this dramatic and sustained upturn in their results.
They’re on a mission now, to secure a grand slam this year, a World Cup next season. Part one looks certain now, part two evidently a lot trickier to predict.
Fabien Galthie’s men have certainly shown themselves to be the most complete team in the competition. They have a fearsome pack which has several destructive carriers, as well as savvy breakdown exponents, who provide quick ball and turnover chances for their talented backline to feast upon. In Antoine Dupont, they have the world’s best player, and he dictates play superbly, but he is not alone in terms of the decision-making process. Both Romain Ntamack and particularly Gael Fickou offer support in that facet, with Fickou also the defensive leader in the side.
They are looking very difficult to beat, so where can teams target to stop Les Bleus claiming a Grand Slam? Well, Scotland had some success at the set-piece, winning scrum penalties and stealing lineout ball, but neither of those areas have been especially strong for their next opponents, Wales, and England. However, if there is one team that could get it right, it is the Red Rose, who have a powerful front five on paper, even if they have yet to truly fire.
Nevertheless, Galthie and his coaches will want to properly shore up their scrum and lineout as they have, under pressure, had the odd brain fade. It is still a young team and they have made the odd stupid mistake, which could cost them when it gets to the crunch moments. If either the Welsh or English do get on top up front, then it will be interesting to see how this French team responds. So far over the past few matches, Galthie’s charges have done well, but that may alter in the cauldron of the Principality Stadium or when a Grand Slam is on the line. Either way, we will learn a lot about this France squad over the next two matches.
France head coach Fabien Galthie has kept changes to a minimum as they prepare for their crucial Six Nations Test against Wales in Cardiff on Friday. The only alteration to side that took to field in the Round Three victory against Scotland at Murrayfield sees Gabin Villiere returning from injury to take his place on the left wing.
He comes into the run-on side at the expense of Covid-hit Damian Penaud, who lined up on the right wing against Scotland. Yoram Moefana, who was on the left wing in that encounter, shifts to the right and will now wear the number 14 jersey.
In other news, scrum-half Antoine Dupont has been declared fit after missing training earlier in the week due to an arm injury. Dupont captains the side once again and is joined in the half-backs by Romain Ntamack while Gael Fickou and Jonathan Danty are the starting centres and Melvyn Jaminet lines up at full-back.
In the forwards, Gregory Alldritt will start at number eight with Anthony Jelonch and Francois Cros the two flankers while Cameron Woki and Paul Willemse pack down in the second row.
Up front, Julien Marchand lines up at hooker alongside Uini Atonio and Cyril Baille, who are the two props.
There are some alterations amongst the replacements as well with Les Bleus preferring a five/three forwards/backs split on their replacements bench instead of a six/two split which they used against Scotland.
That means Matthis Lebel comes into the squad for the Wales clash as extra backline cover while Romain Taofifenua drops out of the squad due to Covid and Mohamed Haouas takes over from Demba Bamba as one of the reserve props.
This will be the 102nd meeting between these two nations. France have won 47 of the previous matches, and Wales 51... with three draws.
France have won each of the last three games, including a dramatic, last-gasp 32-30 triumph in Paris last March that denied Pivac’s side a Grand Slam.
Wales are missing a huge amount of experience, but still displayed their battling qualities against both Scotland and England.
The Friday night clash under the lights at the Principality will be a real occasion to savour and they will hope that passionate home crowd can help achieve an upset and derail France’s Grand Slam dreams.
However, Les Bleus just look too good as things stand, combining brute force with brilliant flair, guile, ingenuity, and a ruthless edge as well as formidable strength in depth.
France are arguably the best team in the world and not even the absence of the lethal Damian Penaud on the wing should affect their conquering of Cardiff. Wales showed signs of improvement in the second half of a mediocre match against England, but they would have to reach levels that they do not know they can reach to halt France's procession to the title. For Les Bleus, it should all come down to Le Crunch, on the final weekend against England in Paris.
Their usual meltdown does not seem forthcoming this time. Away win by more than seven points.
Wales 16 France 24
Italy v Scotland
For Italy, the game against Ireland was ruined by World Rugby’s own rule book. The Azzuri were reduced to 13 men in just the 19th minute due to a dubious law.
The loss of Gianmarco Lucchesi to injury early in the encounter was a critical point. Italy replacement Hame Faiva’s red card for an obvious high tackle on Irish hooker Dan Sheehan saw the hooker given his marching orders after just 20 minutes leading to uncontested scrums in Dublin and necessitated the removal of an additional player. As Italy still had to put eight men in each scrum, even though they didn’t have to contest, they had only five backs to defend Ireland’s seven at each set piece. The enormous advantage enabled Ireland to wrap up the bonus point by halftime.
Toa Halafihi was the man sacrificed, while a late yellow card for Braam Steyn meant the Azzurri completed the match with just 12 players.
With Italy already having lost fellow hooker Gianmarco Lucchesi, it created chaos for the Azzurri.
The Azzuri can feel aggrieved as there was a tackle by Ireland second row Ryan Baird after Faiva’s red card which has upset many Italians, some who feel the Six Nations strugglers often end up on the wrong end of such calls.
Baird clearly hits the Italian 22, Alessandro Fusco, with an upright tackle, his shoulder making contact with the head of the Benetton back. For all the world to see, it was effectively a carbon copy of Faiva’s hit on Sheehan.
Pretty much everything is a work-on for Kieran Crowley, but they have taken steps in the right direction in certain aspects of their game. The defence was arguably the big issue – it only took a few phases before it broke down under Franco Smith – but they have looked a better unit since the New Zealander took over.
Their effort against Ireland was admirable and, despite the heavy defeat, it may prove beneficial in the long run, while the set-piece is starting to function better as well.
The scrum is, in the main, holding up – albeit the Ireland match was obviously a non-event in that respect – and they are improving at the breakdown. Italy is, however, an inexperienced team and particularly in the pack they are somewhat learning on the job, with many of their players being thrown into action without gaining the necessary qualifications through the club game.
However, in captain Michele Lamaro, they seem to have found their next talismanic leader, following in the footsteps of Sergio Parisse, while the backline certainly has the raw materials to be a threat if the forwards can get them quality ball, but they are behind their competitors in just too many areas now. There is no facet of the game that Italy do better than any of the other teams in the Six Nations, but it is not to say that will still be the case five years down the line.
It is painful to watch Italy right now but there is ability in this current set-up and there is plenty of talent coming through the age-grade sides. Now patience is required, but there does come a point where they need to justify their place in the competition. Perhaps that will come against a forlorn Scottish outfit, who the Italians have had success against in the past.
They have the advantage of playing at home and the Scots don’t necessarily have the sheer power up front to overwhelm the Azzurri. Of course, a win is unlikely but if they can get a losing bonus-point from either their next match or the clash with Wales, that will give them something to build on.
After the joy of the Calcutta Cup success, it’s all gone rather wrong for Scotland. But to be perfectly honest, that first game hinted at several weaknesses which weren’t rectified for the matches with Wales and France. Immediately following the clash in Round One, England would have been frustrated to have lost that game but looking back now they would be even more irritated.
Jones’ charges dominated several aspects of that encounter, but they failed to take advantage, and, to the Scots’ credit, they won the big moments in the second period to emerge 20-17 victorious. Gregor Townsend’s men have since failed to build on that triumph and struggled to break down the Welsh defence in Round Two before being completely outplayed by Les Bleus.
The Six Nations has not gone according to plan for Scotland and the players have been told that no-one is undroppable as they prepare to resume their campaign against Italy this weekend. The sobering nature of Saturday’s defeat by France left Gregor Townsend with much to ponder as he contemplated the end of Scotland’s Six Nations title bid with two rounds of fixtures still to play leaving the Scots in fourth place, nine points adrift of Fabien Galthie’s side who lead the standings.
The 36-17 loss at BT Murrayfield was Scotland’s heaviest at home in the championship since 2015 when Ireland spanked Vern Cotter’s side 40-10 to confer upon the hosts the wooden spoon.
Saturday was the first time Townsend’s side had conceded six tries in a game during his 52-match reign. It was also the Scots’ biggest margin of defeat in the Six Nations since 2018, his first campaign at the helm.
The optimism that preceded the start of the tournament, and which was enhanced by the win over England on the opening weekend, has drained away to be replaced by the all too familiar feeling of Scotland being on the outside looking in as the main prizes are contested.
The game ran away from Scotland in a few key moments just before half-time when, trailing 12-10, they butchered two golden opportunities and then allowed Gael Fickou to score a try against the run of play.
Townsend had labelled this squad the strongest he had worked with since 1999 but hopes of emulating Scotland’s last championship-winning side have disappeared with the back-to-back losses to Wales and France. Fabien Galthie’s side are now in the box seat to clinch their first title in 12 years while the Scots will travel to Rome and Dublin seeking to salvage something from a campaign that began with such promise.
The improvements made by Townsend since the 2019 Rugby World Cup have been clear to see, with notable victories achieved over England (twice), France (twice), Wales and Australia. The problem for Scotland is the strength of their rivals is such that the bar is being raised every season.
Gregor Townsend’s were fancied by many to mount a challenge for the title this season and the coach himself spoke of his squad being the strongest he had worked with since 1999 when he was player in the last Scotland team to win the championship.
Quite simply, unlike the French, Irish and English – even if the latter haven’t found the right balance yet – they lack the destructive carriers to get them regularly across the gain line. Matt Fagerson did a tremendous job in their first game but, since his injury in the opening period of the second match, they have struggled for front foot ball.
They have two good sets of front-rows, who do contribute well to both the set-piece and the loose, and a second-row that has been effective at disrupting opposition lineouts, but they don’t have the power to match the top teams in the world. Scotland rely on work ethic, breakdown excellence on both sides of the ball and a fly-half who can create magic moments. They also have several talented outside backs and a previously stubborn rear guard, but defence coach Steve Tandy would not have been happy with what he saw against France.
On transition, while it can be difficult to get organised off turnover ball, they were far too slow to react and there was quite clearly more desire in the French ranks during the 80 minutes. That will be of most concern to Townsend and Tandy heading into the final two rounds where they will expect a vast improvement. It would also help if they could finish clear cut try-scoring chances, but there was more to that French defeat than just Stuart Hogg’s drop.
Gregor Townsend has reacted to the heavy 36-17 round three defeat to France by naming a Scotland starting team that shows five changes from their Murrayfield loss.
Sam Johnson replaces the benched Sione Tuipulotu in midfield while Kyle Steyn comes in for the suspended Duhan van der Merwe on the left wing.
Van der Merwe is out of the rest of the Guinness Six Nations after receiving a three-week ban from the Rugby Football Union. The 26-year-old received a red card for reckless or dangerous play during Worcester’s defeat at London Irish in the Gallagher Premiership on Saturday.
In the pack, George Turner is at hooker in place of the demoted Stuart McInally, Hamish Watson returns to openside with Rory Darge switching to blindside where Nick Haining loses out while Matt Fagerson is back at No8 in place of Magnus Bradbury.
On the bench, Scotland have gone for a five forwards/three backs split with scrum-half Ben Vellacott in line to make his debut.
More positively and realistically, Scotland ought to win by a comfortable margin and Scotland will be looking to pile on the points and boost their averages. It must be said that although Scotland have been inconsistent this year, they are not bad enough to lose in Rome.
I think any contemplation that Scotland are battling to avoid bottom place would be a complete capitulation and no excuses should be offered about the 'partisan' atmosphere in a half-empty stadium. More likely the Braveheart’s are fighting for third at best case and avoiding fifth at worst - the honour of which will surely go to them, England, or Wales. Therefore, if Scotland do somehow lose, then Townsend should either be given the bullet on the spot or fall on his sword.
This has been the worst showing of an Italian team in the Six Nations. They’ve scored 16 points in three matches this Six Nations, they’re yet to score a try in the second half of any three games. This is as bad a showing of an Italian side in the Six Nations as we’ve ever seen.
The contest in the forwards will be crucial. While the majority of tries scored against Italy have come from the backs, the platform has really been set by the success up front of the respective sides. In their three matches so far, the metres gained with ball in hand by the packs have been:
* France 201m – 50m Italy
* Italy 90m – 230m England
* Ireland 360m – 83m Italy
On a cumulative basis, Italian forwards have made less than a third of the metres of their opponents. For a Scottish pack that has yet to make 200m+ in any game this season there is a real need to take this opportunity to get on the front foot and provide a backline that is replete with Lions the kind of platform they can really go on a tear from.
Equally the Scottish big men must stand up and match what the other sides have done and shut down the Azzurri’s eight, smothering them and stopping their go forward. The impact of that in the previous fixtures has been to limit the possession getting into the hands of Italy’s most dangerous weapon, Paolo Garbisi. The Montpellier stand-off can pick a defence apart – but only when he has the ball. In this tournament he averages just 11 passes per 80 minutes, compared to 31 per 80 for the other countries’ starting 10s. Scotland need to ensure the young pivot’s contribution remains as inconsequential as possible.
The Scots have won their last 10 matches against the Italians, winning by a 19 point + advantage on four occasions and while that’s not exactly a convincing amount, this is arguably the biggest gulf in class seen between the sides in that time.
The other may be in last season’s encounter, when the Scots ran out 42-point winners at Murrayfield, and although this is in Rome, the hosts haven’t shown enough to suggest they can keep this within just a few scores.
A narrow 25-22 victory over Japan back in June 2018 is Italy’s only result of note in recent memory, with all their victories since then coming against lower tier nations. In fact, each of their last 12 defeats since facing Scotland themselves back in November 2020 have all come by more than that 20-point margin.
Is there anything left to say about Italy here? Scotland won't have any trouble racking up a win – and probably a cricket score line.
Italy 8 Scotland 32
England v Ireland
The pick of the weekend’s fixtures sees Ireland visit Twickenham to face Eddie Jones’ England. The England coach can point to two wins out of three and still being in with a chance of winning the Championship, but in current form, Tests against Ireland at home, and Grand Slam-chasing France at the Stade de France would look anything but a sure thing.
Against Wales, England had first half dominance which they did not turn into the total humiliation that was called for at half time by TV pundit Clive Woodward. They had a Manu Tuilagi-sized reason for registering only one hotly debated try from Alex Dombrandt on an afternoon where nearly 82,000 fans basked in the late winter sun.
Indeed, Tuilagi took up column inches before and after the match with Tom Curry saying the Sale man was simply ‘unique’. With the conveyor belt of England midfielders yet to offer an improvement on the big man, he will still be in the frame when his latest hamstring injury repairs itself.
Marcus Smith, a debatable man of the match awardee, was nevertheless steady kicking off the deck for points, and will have gained invaluable experience from playing without the spectre of Owen Farrell in camp, and his burgeoning relationship with Harry Randall was done no harm, allied to his already telepathic relationship with Alex Dombrandt.
England are a work in progress, and how much work that squad needs, is down to who you talk to. There are 15 Tests left to the World Cup and Eddie’s modus operandi is still clear, in his eyes anyway.
Quite frankly, there are several areas where England need to improve, from their attack to a few issues around their wide defence and set piece. They have done some things well and to their credit managed to control field position in all three of their matches so far, but Jones’ side have certainly not taken advantage. While Marcus Smith has created openings, those opportunities have failed to result in dominance on the scoreboard, leading to tight matches against Scotland and Wales.
Outside of Smith, they have lacked a bit of spark and you wonder whether there is enough pace in the back three. Freddie Steward, Max Malins, and Jack Nowell are all fine footballers, but they don’t have the raw running talent of Adam Radwan or Ollie Hassell-Collins. Having one of those two in the outside channels would certainly give England a bit extra and provide the opposition with something else to think about.
They could also do with a gain line presence now that Billy Vunipola has been dropped and with Manu Tuilagi regularly on the sidelines. Alex Dombrandt has done a good job but he’s not quite as effective at close quarters than Vunipola and maybe the introduction of Alfie Barbeary alongside the Harlequins number eight in the back-row would give them a bit more go-forward. Ellis Genge has shown up well in his carrying, while Kyle Sinckler is always a useful player in the loose – despite not quite finding his form yet – and Maro Itoje is starting to take more responsibility with ball in hand, but their pack is not a truly effective unit now.
The forwards equally need to improve in the set-piece having struggled in the lineout against Wales. They also haven’t been dominant at the scrum, and they really must step it up if they are to challenge both Ireland and France in their final two matches.
Eddie Jones has made 2 changes to the team that beat Wales.
Sam Simmonds starts at No.8, while Harlequins centre Joe Marchant retains the 13 spot outside of Henry Slade with Elliot Daly dropped to bench
Kyle Sinckler has bene passed fit after earlier injury doubts and Alex Dombrandt has sufficiently recovered from Covid to secure a place amongst England’s replacements. His inclusion was pending a successful run-out in today’s training session and while removed from the starting XV that defeated Wales, he can provide number eight cover from the bench.
Joe Launchbury replaces Nick Isiekwe on the bench and is set to make his first England appearance since December 2020.
Harry Randall again starts at nine.
With Luke Cowan-Dickie injured, Jamie George starts at hooker and Jamie Blamire - who has five England caps - is on the bench.
Tom Curry is included at flanker having completed return-to-play protocols following a concussion sustained in victory against Wales, and captain Courtney Lawes completes the back row.
In some ways, you must feel for this Irish side. They are arguably playing better than they did when they last won the Grand Slam in 2018, but Andy Farrell’s men simply came up against an outstanding French team in Round Two. Ireland has an effective game plan which generates quick ball, gets their playmakers in possession and challenges defences. With the likes of Tadhg Furlong operating as a dual threat on the gain line, mixing powerful carrying with dextrous handling, they are keeping opposition sides guessing and it is proving very difficult to stop.
To be honest, there wasn’t much between the teams in the game in Paris, which means they aren’t far from being among the world’s best, but Farrell would no doubt like them to get a bit more set-piece dominance, especially when they face England. Equally, when in control they have lacked a clinical edge at times, butchering chances late on against Wales and struggling to really put away an Italy outfit that were at least two men down for an hour.
Despite being satisfied with a substantial boost to his team’s points difference, Farrell felt the performance could have been more convincing.
A brace apiece for debutant Michael Lowry and James Lowe, plus further scores from Joey Carbery, Jamison Gibson-Park, Peter O’Mahony, Ryan Baird and Kieran Treadwell did the damage against the Azzurri.
Carbery also added two of his five conversion attempts, while substitute Johnny Sexton was flawless with his four.
At 36, questions about Johnny Sexton’s future are inevitable. Can he last to the next World Cup? Is it time to invest in someone else’s future, Ireland’s future, rather than hang onto its past?
Well, after the game against Italy, the answer to the first question is yes, the answer the second one, no. Joey Carbery got the nod to start against Italy. He lasted 54 minutes, scored a try, had a hand in a couple of others, and did okay. Then Sexton appeared on the scene. It took Ireland 26 minutes to score 28 points with their captain on the field, one fewer than the 29 they’d posted up until that point. What does that tell you about him, about the rest of the team, even about Carbery?
We saw it with our own eyes. Ireland were shapeless in attack until Sexton landed. Suddenly the team looked like they had a plan again. Ireland should bin any game plan that doesn’t include Sexton in it.
Ireland and England have each registered two wins and a loss so far, with the former higher in the standings courtesy of an additional bonus point.
Farrell’s men eventually ran in nine tries against the depleted
There were also handling errors in the first half against France, while their discipline let them down as well, leading to several opportunities for Melvyn Jaminet to take shots at goal. It will therefore be interesting to see how they react against Eddie Jones’ charges if the English are able to put them under similar pressure in Round Four.
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has made six changes to his side to face England. Captain Johnny Sexton returns to the starting XV along with Hugo Keenan, Andrew Conway, Bundee Aki, Cian Healy and James Ryan.
Ireland captain Johnny Sexton has been recalled in the starting XV returning to the line-up at fly-half and he will continue in the half-backs by in-form scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park.
The 36-year-old, who this week signed a contract extension and announced he’ll retire following the 2023 Rugby World Cup, replaces Joey Carbery.
Bundee Aki is restored at centre to partner Garry Ringrose while Andrew Conway and full-back Hugo Keenan are also back alongside James Lowe.
Up front, Ireland veteran prop Cian Healy wins his 115th cap in a front-row that also includes Leinster team-mates Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong.
Tadhg Beirne and James Ryan will line out in the engine room while Peter O’Mahony, Josh van der Flier and Caelan Doris make up a strong back-row.
On the replacements bench, Rob Herring, Dave Kilcoyne, Finlay Bealham, Iain Henderson, and Jack Conan cover the pack. Conor Murray, Joey Carbery and Robbie Henshaw are the backline options for what should be an absorbing Six Nations showdown.
For all the justifiable excitement surrounding Marcus Smith, this Six Nations was always going to pose a prolonged examination of his ability that had been unmatched in intensity over his young career to date.
The hosts’ defence should be challenged thoroughly on Saturday at Twickenham. And, make no mistake, Ireland will be gunning for Smith.
Ireland have only beaten England once at Twickenham since 2010, but this feels like it could be their year. They are favourites with the bookmakers and head to south-west London on the back of an incredibly impressive autumn - in which they beat New Zealand - and a narrow loss to probable champions winners France aside, have looked organised, coherent, and incisive this Six Nations, too.
England, meanwhile, are yet to fully click and, with the tournament's two most fancied teams coming up, this could be a make-or-break fortnight for Eddie Jones' side.
England 19 Ireland 23
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