6 Nations Saturday Wrap-Up
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6 Nations Saturday Wrap-Up
Another great day of rugby in the 6 Nations as Ireland and England both picked up wins, with 15 tries scored between the 2 matches.
Ireland 58-15 Italy
In the first game of the day Ireland brushed aside a poor Italy side without any issues in Dublin.
Ireland got off to a flyer through Andrew Trimble, the returning Jared Payne captilising on an Italy error to help setup an attack for Trimble, who scored in the corner. The error from the Italians summed up their day. Jack McGrath added a 2nd try from close range 5 minutes later, only his second try in Ireland colours.
Italy got on the board through Edoardo Padovani through a penalty and Sexton responded with a penalty of his own. CJ Stander was next on the board for Ireland, another try from close range which gave him his 1st Ireland try. Try of the day came from a great team try started off by a Simon Zebo offload, Ireland surged forward throiugh Sexton, he offloaded into Trimble who found Fergus McFadden, with all the space out wide McFadden found Heaslip who scored in the corner. Half time 25-3 Ireland.
The second half started how the first started, an Italian error and Jared Payne on hand to capitalise. This time the Ulsterman caught onto Padovani's looping pass and ran 30 metres to score under the sticks. Healsip added Ireland's 6th of the day from short range and sub Sean Cronin made an instant impact darting over from 20 metres out to score.
Italy got their first try of the day, a skip pass from Padovani found Odiete out wide and the full back got over in the corner.
Ireland went back on the offensive, Madigan with some sharp feet got his name on the scoresheet. Italy added a second through Leonardo Sarto before sub Fergus McFadden got Ireland's 9th of the day.
A overwhleming win for Ireland who pick up their first win of the campaign, Italy on the other hand looked completely out of their depth and seem to be going backwards rather than forward.
England 25-21 Wales
England secured the Triple Crown in their first campaign under Eddie Jones and setup a Grandslam clash next weekend with France with a win over Wales at Twickenham.
Eddie Jones' men put in one of their best performances in a long time in the first half putting constant pressure on Wales and not taking their foot of the pedal.
The home side were on top and found themselves playing most of the rugby in the Welsh half. Wales' defence kept the English attack out, with Owen Farrell settling for 3 early on as Baldwin was penalised for holding on.
Wales were struggling and when Craig Joubert penalised the Welsh scrum, Farrell stepped up and slotted over the penalty with ease to double England's lead to 6-0 after 20 minutes.
With the pressure England were exerting Wales kept making errors and Joubert penalised Wales once more, this time Lydiate not rolling away and Farrell stepped up to keep his 100%% record intact.
England were creating chances but lacked that edge to finish them off, however on the half hour mark that changed. The outstanding Maro Itoje broke through the Welsh defence, fed Brown who then found Watson, the winger used his superb finishing ability to beat the Welsh defence and put England into a 14-0 lead. Farrell converted to make it 16-0 and the score stayed the same until half time.
England added a further 3 in the opening 10 of the second half as Joubert pinged Wales at the breakdown, Farrell knocking over his 14th point of the game.
Wales came back into the game and put heavy pressure in England's 22 but some great defence kept out Warren Gatland's side. However after doing all the hard work, a delayed clearance kick from George Ford was charged down by Dan Biggar who had acres of space to touchdown and get Wales back into the game.
The game slowed down after a break in play, Wales captain Sam Warburton down for a worryingly long period of time but good to see the flanker put his thumb up as he was stretchered off.
2 quickfire penalties from Owen Farrell looked to close out the game with England holding a 18 point lead with 10 minutes to go. The Saracens out-half scoring 20 points and holding a 100% kicking record.
However the game changed as some Welsh pressure eventually led to England conceding penalties and Dan Cole was sent to the bin leaving the hosts to see out the game with 14 men.
With the extra man Wales got one back with 7 minutes to go, some great interplay from the Welsh backs set up George North to score and give Wales a small glimmer of hope with the score at 25-14.
Minutes later Wales setup for a fantastic finale as Faletau used his power to fend off the English defenders and score, Priestland converted and there was only 4 points in it with 3 minutes to go.
Wales pushed for a winner but a Manu Tuilagi tackle on George North ended the Welsh threat and England held on to go 4/4 in the 6 Nations.
A deserved result for England who were the dominant side but credit must go to Wales who fought back well and made a game out of it.
England go to Paris next week knowing that a win will give them their 1st Championship since 2011 and a 1st Grandslam since 2003.
