6 nations this Saturday
This was a fantastic and dramatic day of rugby with two great games and upsets.
Firstly, well done to Italy, so often the whipping boys but they have really improved. A draw with France (that they should have won) now backed up with dramatically victory over a talented Scotland side. Both teams played exciting, attacking rugby and both defended terribly, which made it a great game. All those people saying Italy should be kicked out have gone quiet now and I hope they can keep building and be consistently competitive.
England were fantastic in beating the odds and what is perhaps the strongest Ireland team of all time. After three performances that were frankly crap and with Ireland playing formidably I did not see how they could do it but they did. It was a victory made all the sweeter by the fact that Ireland almost snatched it with that late James Lowe try. Then, with 14 men due a late injury, they somehow found the verve, spirit and energy levels to win with the last action of the match.
The Ireland players looked shocked at the end and quite understandably. I can't remember a team so dominant after the first three rounds but there will be no grand slam. I still think they will beat Scotland and take the trophy though.
Borthwick's young England team remains a work in progress but this was real progress. They won the forward battle against a formidable Irish pack and played some great rugby in the backs. If they can make this the standard, then the future looks bright.
Firstly, well done to Italy, so often the whipping boys but they have really improved. A draw with France (that they should have won) now backed up with dramatically victory over a talented Scotland side. Both teams played exciting, attacking rugby and both defended terribly, which made it a great game. All those people saying Italy should be kicked out have gone quiet now and I hope they can keep building and be consistently competitive.
England were fantastic in beating the odds and what is perhaps the strongest Ireland team of all time. After three performances that were frankly crap and with Ireland playing formidably I did not see how they could do it but they did. It was a victory made all the sweeter by the fact that Ireland almost snatched it with that late James Lowe try. Then, with 14 men due a late injury, they somehow found the verve, spirit and energy levels to win with the last action of the match.
The Ireland players looked shocked at the end and quite understandably. I can't remember a team so dominant after the first three rounds but there will be no grand slam. I still think they will beat Scotland and take the trophy though.
Borthwick's young England team remains a work in progress but this was real progress. They won the forward battle against a formidable Irish pack and played some great rugby in the backs. If they can make this the standard, then the future looks bright.
41-45, M
