Wales Run Out of Comebacks—Ireland 27 Wales 12
South African Craig Joubert’s strict but correct refereeing of the tackle area had a big impact on the game. Both teams took some time to adapt to his requirements regarding competing for the ball after a tackle.
Ireland went into a 6-3 lead after an early exchange of penalties and, although they were achieving more penetration, the game was in the balance at this stage.
This season, it’s become traditional for Wales to give the opposition a helping hand and it was full back Lee Byrne’s turn this time. He was yellow carded, somewhat harshly, for illegally playing the ball on the floor and Ireland helped themselves to 10 points during his absence. Quicksilver winger, Keith Earls took full advantage of the extra space for the first try and scrum half, Tomas O’Leary stepped inside 2 weak tackles to race over for the second.
Restored to 15 players, Wales dominated possession for the rest of the match but the anticipated comeback was beyond them this time. They came close to scoring a pushover try but lost the ball at the base of the scrum and the chance went begging. Another attacking scrum opportunity was lost when Ireland took the ball against the head, for me a key moment of the game.
Jamie Roberts continued to punch hard but with little support.
Jonathon Sexton and Stephen Jones had exchanged penalty goals when Ireland scored the try of the match. The outstanding O’Leary burst through a poor tackle and, with Wales caught short on the right, he put Earls away for his second try of the match
Scotland Ruins my Party----Scotland 15 England 15
This result ruined my 100% prediction record for the season. Some pundits had warned that this could be a potential English hurdle but, after Scotland’s loss in Italy, I felt that even an under-performing England would have won.
It was a desperately poor game to watch. Scotland certainly played the more enterprising rugby but could not break the well organised English defence. Dan Parks unluckily hit the upright with 2 long range penalties which could have won the game for Scotland although the draw was probably a fair reflection of the overall game.
This match also featured a South African referee, Marius Jonker, who wouldn’t have had many toasts to his health drunk in Edinburgh that night. He didn’t have the most consistent of games and, on 2 occasions, was on the point of yellow carding an English player but changed his mind and put the card back in his pocket. His name will go down in Scottish legend and song.
Rampant France Outclass Italy----France 46 Italy 20
In theory, England could deny France their Grand Slam next week and, If Ireland beat Scotland, they could nick the Six Nations title.
However, nobody who watched Sunday’s match would give much for England’s chances. France scored 6 tries in utterly demolishing Italy and their skill levels were at a higher level than anything so far seen from anybody else in this Championship.
Up to this match, the eye catching French back has been Bastareaud, their centre “beast”. He missed Sunday’s game through injury but England will not have been encouraged to learn that he’s been passed fit for next weekend.
Rhys Morgan
