Ireland took on Italy in Dublin in a well-contested if not very brilliant match. Yet again, the Italians put in plenty of effort but simply couldn't make it pay. They had their chances and led 10 - 3 shortly before half-time, but missed kicks and a failure to convert pressure into points eventually cost them dear. For the best part of an hour, Ireland never looked truly comfortable and certainly never looked in control, but they did enough when it mattered and did take their chances, three times spurning kicking opportunities in favour of 5-yard line-outs and twice turning these opportunities into converted tries. As the game wore on, though, the Italians clearly tired, gaps appeared in their defences, they gave away more penalties and the Irish prospered; tries resulted and Jonathan Sexton's kicking made the most of almost every chance. In the end Ireland were deserved, if somewhat flattered and uninspiring, winners by 42 - 10.
Wales started very strongly at Twickenham and could have had a try in the opening seconds but for a fantastic last-ditch tackle by Strettle. Despite having the better of the play, Wales found the English defence a hard nut to crack and it was England that took the lead with a penalty after 23 minutes. This was quickly countered by Wales but England then produced some terrific play in the Welsh 22 that led to another penalty and their lead was restored on the half-hour. Suddenly, England were on fire with some more great play and the Welsh were under pressure, but it was Wales who equalised the score with yet another penalty. England, though, carried on throwing the ball around, with Tuilagi awesome, and gained their reward with a penalty towards the left touchline : 9 - 6 as the nerveless Farrell slotted it over.
The second half saw a third charge-down in 3 games by an Englishman, this time Botha, and not just a resultant penalty and 3 points, but also 10 minutes in the bin for Wales' Priestland. England, though, were unable to take advantage of the extra man as Wales kept possession for most of the penalty period and even gained 3 points from a penalty of their own. The match carried on at pace with much toing-and-froing until, with 8 minutes left, Wales gained a penalty under the English posts and the scores were levelled. Then, with 4 minutes to go, Lawes lost the ball in midfield and Scott Williams raced in to give Wales the only try of the match and victory by 19-12. England all but scored a try in the last moments of the match and might feel a little agrieved but, in the end, it was Wales who scored a try and just about deserved the win and the 'Triple Crown'. England, though, have nothing to be ashamed of and this is a team that is growing in stature with every match. This was the best match of the tournament so far, by miles.
On Sunday, France visited Murrayfield. Scotland started well, piling pressure on the French defence and gained their reward with a well-worked try followed by a penalty, to lead 10 - 0. The French hit back, rather against the run of play, to score a try close to the half-hour, but it was definitely Scotland that looked the better side at this point. Towards half-time, France came a bit more into it and equalised the scores with one penalty and could have taken the lead with another just before the break, following a clumsy Scottish tackle. Even so, the Scots had looked pretty good and at least a match for the Frenchies. Early in the second half the French did take the lead with yet another penalty and they also began to take a much greater part in the game. All of a sudden, Scotland won a turnover and raced away; a couple of pieces of great handling saw them score a second try to regain the lead 17 - 13 with a little under 25 minutes to go, but this was countered almost immediately by a French breakaway and try under the posts. France continued to be put under pressure but they held firm and increased their lead to 6 points with a dropped goal with not much more than 10 minutes to go. Despite decent Scottish effort, France held on and would have extended their lead but for another missed penalty. Scotland weren't bad but the French didn't look that impressive either, just good enough.
The Championship now looks to be between France and Wales and my money is on Wales. England might well sneak third in the table, which wouldn't be a bad result given the upheavals they've experienced in recent months. The wooden spoon looks destined to be decided on the final weekend when the 2 main contenders, Scotland and Italy, meet.
On Sunday, France visited Murrayfield. Scotland started well, piling pressure on the French defence and gained their reward with a well-worked try followed by a penalty, to lead 10 - 0. The French hit back, rather against the run of play, to score a try close to the half-hour, but it was definitely Scotland that looked the better side at this point. Towards half-time, France came a bit more into it and equalised the scores with one penalty and could have taken the lead with another just before the break, following a clumsy Scottish tackle. Even so, the Scots had looked pretty good and at least a match for the Frenchies. Early in the second half the French did take the lead with yet another penalty and they also began to take a much greater part in the game. All of a sudden, Scotland won a turnover and raced away; a couple of pieces of great handling saw them score a second try to regain the lead 17 - 13 with a little under 25 minutes to go, but this was countered almost immediately by a French breakaway and try under the posts. France continued to be put under pressure but they held firm and increased their lead to 6 points with a dropped goal with not much more than 10 minutes to go. Despite decent Scottish effort, France held on and would have extended their lead but for another missed penalty. Scotland weren't bad but the French didn't look that impressive either, just good enough.
The Championship now looks to be between France and Wales and my money is on Wales. England might well sneak third in the table, which wouldn't be a bad result given the upheavals they've experienced in recent months. The wooden spoon looks destined to be decided on the final weekend when the 2 main contenders, Scotland and Italy, meet.
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