The opening Six Nations weekend was a cracker with some eye-catching rugby. TIBS News is on hand to review the action.
Scotland beat ‘Auld Enemy’ England
Scotland battled hard in a 20-17 victory over England as they retained the Calcutta Cup for the first time since 1984, following a late Finn Russell penalty.
Rugby’s oldest test rivalry was a typically hard-fought and tense affair at Murrayfield.
Despite England’s early dominance, and a 17-point haul for Marcus Smith on his Six Nations debut, a penalty try and sin bin for Luke Cowan-Dickie in the final quarter turned the tide for the Scots.
Eddie Jones’ side had the majority of the possession in the early stages with their pressure paying off in the 15th minute as it led to a penalty, which Smith nervously converted.
The Murrayfield crowd were abnormally silent, until winger Darcy Graham burst through England’s defence, brilliantly deceiving Joe Marchant before offloading to Ben White who scored on his debut, after replacing Ali Price due to HIA, to put his side 7-3 up.
Penalties from Smith and Russell both cancelled each other out, sending Gregor Townsend’s side 10-6 up at half-time.
Jones’ side began the second half, yet again, on top and went within one point after another Smith converted penalty.
The 22-year-old had a day to remember when in the 53rd minute, England’s maul left Scotland exposed and Smith went over to score on his tournament debut.
With England now leading 10-17, the home crowd attempted to drive their team forward but to little avail. Until the 71st minute, when a cross-field kick from Russell was heading towards Duhan van der Merwe until Cowan-Dickie purposely punched it into touch. Referee Ben O’Keefe had an easy decision to award a penalty try and sin-bin the Englishman.
Murrayfield erupted into pandemonium as they watched their side defend their 20-17 lead with brilliant grit. Scrum after scrum, Townsend’s side battled away until they eventually turned the ball over as, quite fittingly, captain Stuart Hogg blasted the ball into touch.
Scotland travel to Wales next whilst England will surely bounce back as they travel to Italy.
Ireland cruise to emphatic win over holders Wales
Defending champions Wales were battered 29-7 by Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in the tournament opener.
Andy Farrell’s side dominated the encounter from the beginning as Bundee Aki scored after just two minutes.
A constant wave of green faced the Welsh defence as, on his 102nd cap, Jonny Sexton converted an easy penalty to put them 10-0 up in front of an entertained home crowd.
The onslaught continued for Wayne Pivac’s side, who haven’t won in Ireland since 2015, as Andrew Conway squeezed the ball over the line to put them 17-points up.
Any chance of a Welsh comeback was further hindered when Josh Adams got sin-binned in the 49th minute for an off-the-ball tackle on Sexton.
A dazzling quick counter from Ireland, followed up by a raking pass from Jamison Gibson-Park, found Conway for a much simpler try.
Farrell’s attack continued their fine form from 2021 and a superb Garry Ringrose try earned his side a bonus-point.
Wales finally had something to cheer about in the dying embers of this clash when Taine Basham, on debut, intercepted a loose Tadhg Beirne pass as the game finished 29-7.
Although Wales’ line-up missed over 700 caps due to injury, the nature of their display will worry fans as they host Scotland next.
Favourites France begin with bonus-point win over Italy
On Sunday, France, looking for their first Six Nations title since 2010, began in enthralling fashion beating the dogged Italy 37-10 thanks to a hattrick from Gabin Villiere.
The Azzuri shocked the French early on as 19-year-old Tommaso Menoncello went over to put Italy in the lead.
However, their joy didn’t last long as Anthony Jelonch and Villiere both crossed the try line before half-time.
Villiere completed his hattrick in the second half with Damian Penaud also going over as France finished strongly to gain a bonus-point.
Next up for the French is a tough test against Ireland in Paris.
