After a first round that raised as many questions as it answered about the state of European rugby, the teams of the Six Nations were out largely to right the wrongs of last weekend.
France edge dire Parisian affair
France against Ireland was the first match on the slate, and fell far short of the expected calibre of game given the players on show, with France stealing a 10-9 victory from Ireland. The inclement weather conditions meant that handling was second-rate leading to 19 scrums and a colossal error count. Despite this Ireland were able to launch a couple of attacks that came to naught, but salvaged three first half penalties to France’s one, Johnny Sexton and Jules Plisson kicking the sides into a 9-3 half-time scoreline.
The grim going continued in the second perios, with France continuing to target the Irish backs, and specifically Sexton, with some borderline illegal challenges, and ground their way down into the opposing 22, with Maxime Machenaud feeding namesake Medard who scored the decisive try in the 70th minute. France are, somehow, two from two in the Six Nations and tied for first in the table.
Wales and Scotland up the ante
Wales and Scotland were both looking for their first win in the tournament, and thankfully delivered a wonderfully competitive and taut test match with Wales scoring two late tries to win 27-23. After surging back to draw with Ireland, Wales were arguably the form team and got on the board early, with Gareth Davies gathering the ball from a Dan Biggar chip (from an offside position) and sprinting in to score.
Scotland showed their new-found mettle by replying with one of the best passages of play of the tournament so far, pounding out 21 phases before Finn Russell’s chip through connected with Tommy Seymour who touched down and cancelled out Wales’ lead. Scotland’s hard-nosed play continued and Greig Laidlaw kicked two penalties from Welsh errors. Biggar added one of his own making it 16-13 to Scotland before, revitalised by Tom James’ long break, Wales scored twice in quick succession through Roberts and George North to put the game beyond the Scots’ grasp. Duncan Taylor finished a sweetly worked consolation try for Scotland but Vern Cotter’s men are still winless.
England explode into second half life
Sunday’s match saw England travel to Rome to take on Italy, and after all of Eddie Jones’ talk of hidings, England delivered a 40-9 victory, with Jonathan Joseph scoring a hat-trick. The Italians were in control, however, for much of the first half with Carlo Canna on shining form, kicking three first half penalties, while England were able to score a well-worked try through George Ford in the left-hand corner.
It was clear that Italy were smarting from last weekend’s battle with France and lost Zanni, Fuser and Garcia to injury and this fatigue allowed England’s fresh legs to dominate. Jonathan Joseph pounced for his first try, intercepting Leonardo Sarto’s loopy pass for the easiest of run-ins, before replacement Danny Care threaded a wonderful kick between the posts which Joseph gratefully received for his second.
An Italian turnover allowed England to surge into the 22 once more, and Joseph rounded out his trifecta by driving through three Italian defenders and touching down in the corner. Continuing an impressive outing for the England replacements was Jamie George who delivered a beautiful offload to send Owen Farrell over for the final score.
Six Nations Star Man: Tommy Seymour
Aviva Premiership
Upsets were the order of the day in the Aviva Premiership with a number of high-profile clubs being turned over.
Only one match is going to dominate the column inches this week and that is Wasps’ 64-23 (you read that right) victory over Saracens at Allianz Park, the largest home league defeat in the club’s history. Wasps were sublime and romped through the first half scoring three tries in the opening eight minutes through Charles Piutau, Dan Robson and Thomas Young. After Brad Barritt had crossed for Saracens, Wasps resumed the rout with Nathan Hughes crossing twice before half time to seize a first-half bonus point. Piutau and Robson scored their second tries and Jimmy Gopperth grabbed another for good measure, finishing the match with 23 points under his belt. Saracens were forced to console themselves with a Jim Hamilton score in the second period.
Starting the weekend off on Friday night was Newcastle’s 26-14 win over Leicester Tigers at Kingston Park. Simon Hammersley spearheaded a back division that gave Leicester fits, and opened the Falcons try-scoring account as well, sliding through a gap on the right side of the field. Adam Powell followed suit shortly after while Leicester could only muster penalties from Freddie Burns. The Tigers found their lone try on the hour mark through Laurence Pearce but Andy Goode and Craig Willis had kicked enough penalties to keep Newcastle above the waterline.
Next on the upset train were Sale, who defeated Exeter 23-17 at the AJ Bell Stadium. The Sharks led 17-0 at the break, and managed to hold off Exeter’s second-half comeback with the host’s tries coming from Johnny Leota, Nev Edwards and Mike Haley. Exeter’s strikes came from Dave Lewis and Jack Yeandle, but a losing bonus point was all the Chiefs could take back to Devon.
Striving to retain some normality to the Premiership, Northampton dismantled London Irish 35-7 and in doing so exorcised some of the demons of their home embarrassment by Wasps. James Craig, Alex Waller, Jamie Elliott and Lee Dickson grabbed the tries and they were awarded a penalty score to boot; Irish’s David Paice was their sole tryscorer.
Harlequins’ unpleasant start to 2016 continued at Kingsholm as Gloucester beat them 28-6 and looked convincing in the process. James Hook was on sparkling form, scoring 18 points including a try and was ably supported by Ben Morgan and Steve McColl who also added five-pointers.
Worcester came very close to unseating Bath, losing 16-14 after multiple attempts at game-winning penalties. The Warriors saw Cooper Vuna and Donncha O’Callaghan cross for tries in the first half, giving them a 14-6 lead at half-time. Bath hit back through a Jonathan Evans try and Tom Homer penalty but their lead was fair from unassailable. Ryan Mills and Tom Heathcote both had crucial opportunities to give Worcester the lead, from similar positions. Agonizingly, one kick went wide left and one wide right.
Aviva Premiership Star Man: Nathan Hughes
Guinness PRO12
Connacht went top of the PRO12 with their bonus point 26-21 win over Newport Gwent Dragons at Rodney Parade. An exhilarating first half saw Matt Healy and Tiernan O’Halloran score for Connacht, and the Dragons put Ashton Hewitt and Adam Hughes over in reply. Connacht added late tries through Eoghan Masterson and Bundee Aki to turn their win into a five-pointer.
Making sure that Irish clubs fared better than the national side, Leinster munched Zebre 52-0 with eight tries each being scored by different players. The game was effectively decided before half-time with the bonus point booked by tries from Isa Nacewa, Hayden Triggs, Luke McGrath and Adam Byrne. In the second, well, it was more of the same with Garry Ringrose, Sean Cronin, Jordi Murphy and Cian Kelleher finishing off the scoring.
Ulster’s Callum Black marked his 100th appearance for the club by scoring his side’s only try in a 13-10 victory over Glasgow. The Irishmen conceded early as Lee Jones finished off an efficient move for Glasgow but the kicking of Ruan Pienaar and Paddy Jackson kept Ulster ahead. After Black bundled over in the second half, Glasgow grabbed a losing bonus point with a crossfield chip to Taqele Naiyaravoro.
Scarlets added to the logjam at the top of the table by beating Edinburgh 22-21 thanks to a late Aled Thomas penalty. The fly-half kicked 12 points in total, allowing Scarlets to overcome their 1-2 try deficit, with Morgan Allen the scorer for the Welshmen. Edinburgh preferred to do their scoring with the ball in hand, Alex Toolis and Cornell Du Preez crossing for tries, but Greig Tonks and Nathan Fowles weren’t able to keep Glasgow in the lead as Thomas’ final penalty made the difference.
Another low-scoring affair saw Treviso earn their first win of the season, 13-7 over Cardiff Blues. Jayden Hayward was relied upon for the points until the Italians were awarded a penalty try after Cardiff repeatedly offended at scrum time. The Blues only try came from former Leicester Tiger Blaine Scully.
Sam Davies kicked Ospreys to victory over Munster 21-17, despite three excellent tries scored by the Irish. Duncan Williams’ charge down allowed him to gather for the first try of the game and Francis Saili showed great pace and footwork for his first Munster score. Ospreys’ own try did come eventually, Davies himself stepping through to score and kicked the conversion to go with his earlier penalty leading to a 12-10 Munster lead at half time. After the break, Robin Copeland scored another for Munster and Ospreys’ Owen Watkin crashed over with Davies kicking a further penalty to seal the deal for the Welsh side.
Guinness Pro12 Star Man: Sam Davies
Top 14
Again, just one Top 14 fixture was played this weekend and Bordeaux continued their giant-killing form, besting Toulon 15-12. No tries in this game, as Simon Hickey and Jonathan Pelissie were locked in a kicking duel with each player kicking four penalties leading to a 12-12 deadlock with minutes to go in the match. However, Ma’a Nonu was the unlikely villain for Toulon, going offside at a ruck and allowing Baptiste Serin to kick a 79th minute penalty to win the game.
Try of the Week: George North gets the nod for his return to international try-scoring form against Scotland. The winger showed off his pace and footwork to hammer the final nail in Scotland’s coffin. Honourable mentions to two pieces of front-row brilliance: first from Jamie George in popping up to Owen Farrell for his try and second to Sean Cronin who also played provider to Garry Ringrose in Leinster’s win over Zebre.
George North #rugby #RBS6Nations #6Naciones pic.twitter.com/2ZuZqGIGQm
— Pasion Por Rugby (@PasionPorRugby) February 14, 2016
Hero of the Week: Scotland and Saracens centre Duncan Taylor is the recipient of Hero this week, for his lung-busting chasedown of Tom James who was free and clear on his way to a try. Taylor is not exactly renowned for his blistering pace but he showed that he should be, by tracking down the fleet-footed James.
Villain of the Week: George Clancy for failing to ask the right question to the TMO when reviewing Gareth Davies’ try. You’re not there to have a chat, ask ‘is there any reason I can’t award the try’ and allow the TMO to go over the entire situation. By focussing his questioning on Jamie Roberts and the potential knock-on, Davies’ offside position was overlooked and a try was allowed that shouldn’t have been. Not particularly villainous but irritating, even for a neutral spectator.
By Fraser Kay (@fraserkay)
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
32 replies on “Best of the Weekend: France & England set 6 Nations pace”
Not to appear curmudgeonly but the North try as try of the week? Really? It was Scotlands abject defending rather than George’s footwork that made that try.
Charles Piutau’s second or the Tommy Seymour try surely are the cream of the crop?
The build up for both was what made them.
Seymour for me – a really well worked try
Genuine question – what was offside exactly? I’ve watched it and I am confused. He isn’t in front of the kicker. Once the ball is tipped back by a Welsh player then there is no offside line – so being “in front” of the tipper isn’t offside. He then darts back to claim the tipped back ball. As I said, genuine question as I don’t get it. To even things up a little – Laidlaw did well to use Clancy as an extra blocker in the buildup to Scotland’s first score.
Well done Wasps. Loved it.
Cardiff – 2 steps forward, 3 steps back….
I think he was in front of the kicker? Wasn’t that the point. When it was kicked, Davies was still in front from the line out that had just been? So he was about 20 meters in front of the kicker and didn’t retreat?
The image here shows it well: http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/gareth-davies-wonder-try-wales-10889858
Thanks for clarifying – that article is a good explanation of it. Explains why Andy Nicol thinks they were robbed…
Andy Nicol always thinks they were robbed. Time to accept that little errors at crucial junctures is the real reason!
Great weekend to be a Wasps fan – what an incredible result and performance. I know Sarries had players missing, but so did we, and I thought their second strength team would be better than ours! The other Piutau brother looked brilliant at 12 next to Daly! Also as good as Vunipola has been, Hughes is surely a shoe-in for the England squad when he is available.
England – fairly abject. Jones got his tactics right to win the game but I can’t see us beating Wales in that form. Ireland looked poor so i think we may well be ok there. I’d like to see Itoje and Lauchbury start against Ireland, and I certainly wouldn’t want to see no midfield cover on the bench. Ford continues to be woeful, poor passing, sitting way too deep and looked completely lost with ball in hand several times just to be smashed back by Italian defenders.
Fore Ireland I’d go:
Marler, Hartley, Cole, Kruis, Launchbury, Itoje, Haskell, Vunipola, Youngs, Ford, Nowell, Farrell, JJ, Watson, Brown
George, Mako, Brookes, Lawes, Clifford, Care, Devoto, Daly
I’ve gone with the assumption that Brookes is fit now? I would also have Cips starting at 10 and Ford out of the squad if it was me but since Cips isn’t even in the EPS – not going to happen.
If Brookes is fully fit I would start him and drop the penalty machine to the bench
Personally don’t really get the Cole hate. Think he was very good at the scrum both of the past two weeks, and disruptive at the breakdown. I may be missing something but I only remember him giving away one pen this weekend?
I think there were two pens of which one was totally unnecessary and that is my major issue. Most of the pens he gives away are just pure stupidity. yes his scrummaging is good but you get the same with Brookes added to which Brookes is a better ball carrier
he gave away 3 I think – same as last week
“but I can’t see us beating Wales”
Why? I’ve not seen much from Wales or Ireland to worry, and likewise they would say the same about England. Pretty even on current form I’d say, with England a slight edge at home, but it all comes down to whether either team can pick up their game. England are edging their way, but I can’t help but feel its the personnel letting Jones down at present. I’d eject Robshaw and Lawes from the 23, start Care over Youngs, Kruis and Launch in the engine room, Itjoje and Haskell on the flanks. Clifford, Beaumont and either Devoto or Daly on the bench.
Yep, this. I think everyone is hoping that if they say the other team is fave then it’ll be the small margin needed to make the difference in the general mediocrity. Eng faves for me. They have their toughest test at home and I feel will have enough to edge it.
You’re possibly quite right.
My actual logic for thinking Wales will beat England though is this.
If Jones picks the best forwards, on form, we’ll see Itoje, Clifford, George in there. Wales’ pack is far too experienced to lose that.
If Jones sticks with the current formula of playing all our experienced players – then I think Wales will smash us at the breakdown. Especially if Tipuric and Warburton start.
That being said – if Jones picks a nice mix. Robshaw OR Haskell for example – I’d quite fancy England. However, based on what I’ve seen so far (not that), Wales seem favourites.
I think it is quite clear that the quality is low this year (is it always and we just didn’t notice before the WC!?).
Ah but Jacob, the Warburton and Tipuric combo hasn’t clicked at all yet this 6N. For what reason, I’m not entirely sure, but they were certainly outplayed at the breakdown by Hardie and Barclay at the weekend – a duo that England effectively nullified a week previously.
I’m starting to think we’ve come full circle on the whole ‘fetcher’ thing. David Pocock is essentially a freak of nature at the breakdown – for all other teams, it’s a collective effort. I think Jones has increased every member of the England team’s effectiveness at the breakdown, which is why they have largely been successful in that area so far despite not playing a ‘genuine’ seven.
That said, I do think someone like Kvesic or Wallace of Fraser could add another string to England’s bow, and give them a more attacking outlook at the breakdown.
I’d say Warbs & Tips lost the breakdown to both Ireland & Scotland. What exactly does Lydiate offer from the bench??
Lydiate and Warbs to start, with Tips on at 50-60 to exploit some tired bodies with his natural footballing ability.
It’s also a little concerning that we’ve shipped 3 tries in 2 games. Most are lauding the defence because of a couple of eye catching Roberts tackles, and it usually is very good, but we’re normally looking at conceding 2-3 tries, max, all tournament.
Oh, i’d also add that Melon’s absence is certainly having an impact at the breakdown too. We’ve definitely lost a threat there. Hoping that Evans can develop himself over time beyond just propping up the scrum.
Yeh I do agree that Warburton/Tipuric hasn’t quite clicked yet. For me though, they’re being used in the wrong way. It seems as though Warburton is almost fulfilling a Lydiate role or workmanlike jobs – making the whole double-7 combo completely redundant.
Get where you’re coming from on the 7 thing – I certainly don’t think England have a good enough option at 7 in the fetcher role to pick right now. Maybe Kvesic, but certainly Wallace/Fraser are not better options that Haskell or Clifford. Jones is going about it in a sensible way, but I still have nightmares about how Wales dominated England at the breakdown during the second half at the WC…
Although neither Itoje or Clifford are sevens, ultimately I thought they made the real difference at the breakdown in the second half. Itoje properly went in for the ball at almost every ruck – I count Jackson shouting ‘hands off 20’ at him regularly as a good thing, coz it just shows he was being a nuisance without getting pinged – and Clifford was right alongside him on more than one occasion. At least until we find a seven option that Jones is happy with, could he be looking to build those two into the starting six and seven by the end of the tournament?
Its a balance thing
Aus back row works because they use Hooper’s speed to make the tackles and then use the freak that is Pocock to steal the ball. Meanwhile Fardy does all the grunt work and does it extremely well. But what they gain at the breakdown, they lose in missing a big ball carrier from the back row. Their game against NZ demonstrated this
For Wales, normally Lydiate will make those incredibly effective scything tackles and Warburton will get over the ball. Currently Warburton is filling the Lydiate role but not as effectively whilst Tipuric is trying to steal – but I think he’s too light at this level and is getting blasted off the ball. He’s most effective as a sub using his superb linking play and speed once the game breaks up.
Lydiate/Warburton seems far more balanced than Warburton/Tipuric to me.
At least they still have Faletau getting through a mountain of work.
As Jamie points out though, the breakdown isn’t just the responsibilty of the 6 and 7, but of the whole team. Watch NZ and see how even their backs are primed to try and steal the ball if they are given the opportunity, England showed a little sign of this on Sunday, in particular the chase and turnover effected by Brown and Joseph that lead to the first try.
I hope they continue. And if they can start clearing out the rucks properly when they have the ball in attack, I will be even more hopeful
I totally agree there is such a focus on fetchers that many teams seem to have lost the balance in their backrows to try and accommodate as many as possible. Australia were blessed in having Pocock as he is such a great fetcher and a ball carrier but what a lot of people forget is that they also have Hooper who can fetch, carry and smash rucks and Fardy who will tackle like a man possessed and smash rucks all day long.
The problem with playing as a fetcher is you need to shy away from the other two defensive roles of tackling and clearing out in order to be in the right place at the right time to compete for the ball. This means that the others in the backrow need to pick up this slack.
IMO all backrow players should be good at all three aspects and should make the right decision as to whether to tackle clear out or Jackle based on position and numbers at the breakdown.
Hang on a minute i made this comment before Pablito yet it is apperaing after making it look like im just repeeting what Pablitos said but less eloquently.
Pablito stop making me look like a fool…
ok more of a fool than normal
Did you go to the Sarries v Wasps game? Sadly I was there, and full credit to Wasps, they took full advantage of our absentees. Someone said to me before the game, that we just beat Italy, and now we’re going to lose to Wasps.
As this was largely the same team which beat Exeter away last week, I was not expecting the thumping we got.
Not sure you could say that was truly your second strength team!? But still you outplayed us, outmuscled us, and we had no response, so fair play for that.
Not as if Wasps didn’t have absentees of their won in fairness, and it’s not as if Sarries were reduced to a bare cupboard: they could still field the likes of Brits, Hodgson, Barritt, Bosch, Hargreaves, Hamilton, Gill, Wiggelsworth, Fraser, Vunisa, Burger… Sarries so often make the point that they have good squad depth that they can’t suddenly complain about losing a few players.
A fair point on our squad, but the main point here is that Sarries now rely more on our English (and Scottish) talent than people realise. Also most of the players you’ve pointed out here are 30+, and do not have the pace to fill a whole squad.
Sarries had 7 players (five in the pack) on England duty and one for Scotland. Of those 8, all of them would normally be in the matchday 23, and I would expect 6 of them in the starting 15.
As I said though this was largely the same squad that beat Exeter, so fair play to Wasps, they figured out our weakest areas and exploited them very well.
Sarries new this would happen come the Six Nations, and should be prepared for it. I am sure they will see this match as a blip and move on rapidly. Gloucester at home next week though, now looks like a much slippier banana skin than previously!
Wish I was there!
Ok maybe not quite as second string as yours, but we had Cittadini, Davies, Launchbury and Haskell all missing from our pack. Plus Simpson out too.
Still, I was thinking pre-game that I’d take a losing BP so incredible result!
Robson is a very good scrum half, and behind the pack you have Simpson will do well to get his 9 shirt back. I assumed he must be injured when I saw he wasn’t on the bench.
Agreed on Robson. He looks better for having played a few games in a row (Simpson got injured vs Toulon a few weeks back). Before that, he always looked well off the pace whenever he replaced Simpson in matches.
Watching the England game, I spotted something that I’ve not used/seen/noticed since my schooldays. Looked like at the breakdown, the England forwards were either looking to legitimately turn the ball over or, failing that, just booting the ball forwards so it squirted past Gori and put the Italians on the back foot. Does this happen elsewhere and I’ve just missed it or is this a cunning plan on England’s part (certainly a tactic I enjoyed using)?
I must admit I haven’t seen it used that much in international rugby lately, but it is something I see Itoje do week in week out for Sarries. I guess having very long legs makes it a bit easier.
As long as the player is in a legal position when he kicks it I can’t see anything wrong with it. He’s not playing the 9, or playing the ball with his hands?
Ah that’s interesting, another string to the young man’s bow.
Nothing wrong with it in my eyes, I always thought it was quite a good idea, especially if you’re being driven backwards. Interesting to see it being used, and to good effect in the international game. I imagine Conor Murray and Gareth Davies are just a touch concerned.