LET’S GO OUT AND DO SOME DAMAGE!
WALES rugby legends Shane Williams and Lee Byrne were two of the fans to join the Welsh exodus to Rome this weekend. The pair were pictured on Lee Byrne’s Twitter page in an Italian bar availing themselves of some light refreshments in the Eternal City, with Byrne posting the message: “When In Rome... and all that.”
Hundreds of Welsh rugby fans have made the trip over to Rome for today’s showdown with Italy, with many flooding social media with pictures of their sightseeing trips to famous landmarks such as the Colosseum and the Vatican, in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
As the Six Nations opened with a bang yesterday, Wales will be confident of recording an opening game victory against perennial underdogs Italy.
However, with Scotland upsetting one of the favourites Ireland, and England 10 minutes away from defeat against France at Twickenham yesterday, Rob Howley’s men will do well not to take anything for granted, in what looks like an incredibly open Six Nations Championship this year.
All they have to do is take a look at that Scotland v Ireland game.
With Ireland in supreme form, having recorded an historic victory against the All Blacks in November, Scotland proved that meant little as they got their Six Nations campaign off to a storming start with victory over a disappointing Irish side at Murrayfield.
Full-back Stuart Hogg scored two tries to set the home side on their way to an impressive win.
Keith Earls reduced the arrears but Alex Dunbar went over to put the Scots in a commanding lead.
The visitors mounted a spirited fightback and tries from Iain Henderson and Paddy Jackson put Ireland to within a point of the hosts before Greig Laidlaw’s penalties sealed victory.
At Twickenham, England were expected to win well against an inconsistent French side, although that was never the case. France looked set for an unexpected victory with 10 minutes of the game to go.
However, Ben Te’o’s late try helped England escape with a record 15th consecutive victory in their Six Nations opener.
In the scrappy affair England were heading for defeat after Rabah Slimani’s try, following a clever off-load from flanker Kevin Gourdon.
Camille Lopez and Owen Farrell exchanged three penalties apiece as Eddie Jones’ side struggled to show any fluency in their play.
But good work from Danny Care from the breakdown, and a powerful James Haskell charge, helped set up Te’o for the winning score to get their title defence off to a winning start.