Ireland keep Six Nations Grand-Slam repeat in sight
IRELAND MOVED ONE STEP CLOSER to back-to-back Six Nations Grand Slams by beating Wales 31-7 in Dublin last Saturday (Feb 24).
The host’s squad strength was evident as Wales threatened a second-half comeback, forcing coach Andy Farrell to turn to the bench for replacements.
Ryan Baird, on for captain Peter O’Mahony, in particular stood out with a couple of dashing bursts through the Welsh defence.
“It was huge,” said Farrell of the initial impact made by his substitutions. “They were always going to come on and add some power when others are a bit tired.”
Meanwhile, Scotland managed to come back 30-21 in Edinburgh on Sunday.
Duhan van der Merwe became the first Scotland player to score a hat-trick of tries in a match against England as his side came from 10-0 down to defeat their oldest rivals in front of a raucous Murrayfield crowd.
“The first try was exceptional, the second one was a big momentum-swinger and the third one was great to see,” said a delighted Scotland coach Gregor Townsend post-match.
Elsewhere, France coach Fabien Galthie admitted his side were in a sticky patch after a remarkable 13-13 draw with Italy, where centre Jonathan Danty was sent off, left them at their lowest point since he took over following the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
Last year’s World Cup quarter-final defeat by South Africa on home soil was a huge disappointment and Galthie’s bid to get Les Bleus back on track is stuttering.
A change of his coaching staff and the absence of key players, including star backs Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack will only increase criticism before a Mar 10 match away to Wales.
But Sunday’s result in Lille saw Italy return to the top 10 of the world rankings for the first time since 2013.
Strong performances from captain Michele Lamaro and fly-half Paolo Garbisi, who would have won the match had not his injury-time penalty hit the post, put Italy in a good place to target Scotland on Mar 9 or Wales a week later for just their third Six Nations win since 2015.