IRISH ARE IN A GOOD POSITION

Solid start for Schmidt’s team

TWO rounds in and we are still on course for a seismic tournament-deciding St Patrick’s Day showdown between England and Ireland in Twickenham.

Neither side can claim to be ticking all the boxes but they are clearly the best two teams in the competition and likely to improve as they build up to this year’s defining clash.

So, as we pause for a two-week breath, it’s time for the mid-term report...

IRELAND B+

TO be top of the table after the first two rounds is very satisfying for Joe Schmidt’s men, setting them up perfectly for a charge towards silverware.

Being ahead of England on points difference, with both sides having faced Italy, is a big boost while the benefits of digging so deep to grab victory in Paris are far-reaching.

Furthermore, Schmidt has expertly managed the difficult balance of relying on established performers while bringing on the up-and-comers and long-term objective of achieving quality depth in every position is well on track.

After the weather-affected grind of Stade de France, Ireland were predictably able to flex their attacking muscles against Italy and, even allowing for the watery level of opposition, there was some potency on display.

The build-up to the visit of Wales will be dominated by the defensive lapses that allowed the Italians to cross for three second-half tries — there should be some intense sessions with defence coach Andy Farrell in the interim.

Overall, the championship could be categorised as ‘so far, so good’ with even the injury issues capable of being turned into an advantage through further widening of options. Star pupils: Keith Earls, Johnny Sexton, Andrew Porter, Jack Conan. Extra homework: Bundee Aki, CJ Stander, Jacob Stockdale. The big question: How well can Ireland cope with injuries? Schmidt will need some fringe players to step up in a big way.

ENGLAND B

TOOK a while to get going against Italy before cutting loose impressively and were pushed far harder at home by the Welsh than they would have expected.

England have been less convincing than they looked last season, leading to rattiness from coach Eddie Jones who, even by his standards, has been particularly spiky with the media.

However, the England machine has still been grinding impressively and, despite coming under huge pressure from Wales, they still found a way to come through, meaning Ireland’s victory last year remains the only blip of Jones’ tenure.

With the forwards packing a hefty punch, the Ford-Farrell axis clicking and the back three on fire, the victory habit is cemented into this team’s mindset now. Star pupils: Owen Farrell, Joe Launchbury, Anthony Watson. Extra homework: Ben Te’o, Dan Cole. The big question: What is their best backrow? When England won the World Cup in 2003, the backrow of Hill, Back and Dallaglio was set in stone — less than two years out from Japan 2019, Jones continues to chop and change.

WALES B-

HEADING into the Six Nations, all the talk was of Warren Gatland being jaded after the Lions tour and in charge of a squad not entirely sure of the direction they were heading.

Blowing away the hyped-up Scots in Cardiff banished those doubts and suddenly Gatland’s men were being talked about as potential champions. England put a halt to the rampant optimism but not before being given an almighty rattle by the Welsh, who are benefiting from a rampant backrow and Scarlets-infused enthusiasm.

The furore over match officials not awarding a try to Gareth Anscombe (the correct call after the Kiwi clearly failed to control the ball) has dominated the fallout and Wales cannot afford that sense of grievance to morph into petulance ahead of a trip to Dublin where they will need complete focus. Star pupils: Josh Navidi, Aaron Shingler, Rhys Patchell. Extra homework: Cory Hill, Josh Adams.

The big question: Will the hangover from Twickenham impact their season-defining clash in Dublin? If Wales are to outfox Ireland at Lansdowne Road, they need to be at peak pitch mentally.

SCOTLAND C

IF Ulster are the Arsenal of the club game then Scotland are the Ulster of international rugby — capable of magic at home but also abject no-shows on the road.

After a superb November campaign, Gregor Townsend’s men went into the championship as everyone’s dark horses but were almost comically bad against Wales first up.

Under a coach of Townsend’s ability, they were always going to respond and Scotland were able to take advantage of French indiscipline and uncertainty in front of their own fans.

The forwards are capable of punching above their weight, with Huw Jones and Stuart Hogg capable of lighting up any backline, but they have issues at half-back and the habit of falling apart on the road suggests ongoing mental frailty. Star pupils: Huw Jones, Stuart Hogg, Jonny Gray. Extra homework: Finn Russell, Cornell du Preez, Greig Laidlaw. The big question: Can they find control at halfback? His placekicking was clinical, but Laidlaw was ponderous and prone to error at No9 while Finn Russell has struggled badly. There is an argument for picking Laidlaw at 10 against England after he did well when moved there against France.

FRANCE C-

THEY could/should have beaten both Ireland and Scotland but caved in both contests and now, with two losses from two, there are signs that France are already starting to unravel under new coach Jacques Brunel.

French players being quizzed by Scottish police after a post-match night out in Edinburgh will do nothing to dispel the air of indiscipline hanging over this squad, which has manifested itself on the pitch in the concession of 23 penalties (10 against Ireland, 13 against the Scots), many of which were reckless at best, incredibly stupid at worst.

France have some serious ability in their ranks, notably winger Teddy Thomas and hooker and captain Guilhem Guirado, but are playing like a team of individuals rather than a unified, well-drilled force. Italy at home next up will help, but that could end up as their sole victory. Star pupils: Teddy Thomas, Guilhem Guirado, Arthur Iturria. Extra homework: Sebastien Vahaamahina, Geoffrey Palis, Remi Lamerat.

The big question: Can Jacque Brunel instil cohesion? It is still unclear exactly what plan France are playing with everyone seemingly doing their own thing.

ITALY D-

CONOR O’SHEA and his men will cling doggedly to the positives of early oomph against England and three second-half tries against Ireland but there is no escaping the fact that Italy are way off the pace.

Indeed, in the 18 years since they were brought on board, the Italians, if anything, have gone backwards and now seem to go into every match merely trying to keep the score down.

Analysis of their team is pointless beyond saying that they are not at the level required. Star pupil: Matteo Minozzi. Extra homework: The Six Nations, on revisiting Italy’s involvement. The big question: Is there now a case for bringing in Georgia? They nearly beat Wales in November, have been asked to train against England and are ahead of Italy in the world rankings.