The 2025 Six Nations continued in spherical three as Eire beat a spirited Wales facet in Cardiff, England edged previous Scotland by a single level and France smashed Italy.
There’s loads of meals for thought, however are these reactions irrational or reputable? ESPN Senior Author Tom Hamilton offers his takes.
Soar to:
England | Eire | Wales
Scotland | France | Italy
England will solely be “world class” in the event that they enhance their assault
Steve Borthwick’s facet are two from two within the Six Nations, after one-point wins over France and Scotland, however are they now able to problem with the very best? Their erratic assault on Saturday might say in any other case.
Verdict: NOT AN OVERREACTION
Borthwick is adamant England are on the verge of being a world-class facet. That is honest sufficient, and you may see the place he is coming from. For therefore lengthy they’ve promised a lot, however simply fallen quick. However you sense the tide is popping a bit now. England are enhancing and are getting the wins to again that up.
Nevertheless, their assault stays a piece in progress. Whereas luck is smiling on the second — they usually’ve earnt that after their slender defeats final yr — their assault nonetheless has room for development. In opposition to Scotland they most popular to kick in their very own half, seemed to field kicks and resorted to blunt pressure and gradual positive factors. England scored one attempt to Scotland’s three, and that was lucky given there was scant proof of Tommy Freeman grounding the ball. The sheepish grin he gave afterwards when requested if he managed to get the ball down spoke volumes.
The boos England acquired from their very own followers within the second half had been harsh on one other field kick, but additionally an indication of the precarious relationship between fan and group. However how great it would be to see them marry the extra expansive fashion we have seen prior to now (admittedly one with the injured Immanuel Feyi-Waboso) with their aggressive defence, and nonetheless get throughout the road.
England are making progress below Borthwick, however maximising their assault’s potential has been a decade-long wrestle. Getting the very best out of their array of expertise, marshalled by the good Fin Smith, is the following step for this group.
Sam Prendergast is the front-runner for Lions fly-half
The Eire fly-half put in one other age-defying efficiency for his nation on Saturday. He is now the favorite to get the keys to No.10 for the vacationers this summer time.
Verdict: NOT AN OVERREACTION, however issues will change weekend on weekend.
A few months in the past, when you’d stood outdoors Twickenham, the Principality Stadium, the Aviva or Murrayfield and requested 100 followers who’s going to be the British & Irish Lions fly-half, then roughly 80% of the solutions would’ve been Finn Russell. He was, and doubtlessly nonetheless is, the favorite to start out at fly-half in the summertime on their tour of Australia. However issues are shifting, and Prendergast is now within the field seat.
That is no slight on Russell — for me, he is nonetheless the premier No.10 within the northern hemisphere — however you may see how Andy Farrell’s logic may go right here. Jamison Gibson-Park will probably be scrum-half, and the chances are, Bundee Aki will probably be at No.12. So who do you wish to convey that axis collectively? Nicely, Prendergast.
Forward of his Six Nations debut towards England in spherical one, there have been a couple of doubts over his temperament. He performs for an extremely profitable Leinster group; most of the time, he has an armchair trip there. Starring at fly-half for Eire was meant to be a agency take a look at of his mettle. However he is handed all three exams to this point with flying colors.
He was improbable once more in Cardiff on Saturday, hit a 50:22 to die for, kicked effectively below strain and it was his composure which helped Eire dwelling towards a spirited Welsh facet. Count on the fly-half debate to alter each weekend till that first Lions Take a look at, however proper now, Prendergast is within the field seat. Till subsequent weekend, anyway.
Time to provide Matt Sherratt the everlasting job
Wales seemed a lot improved towards Eire, and absolutely given the work Sherratt has carried out since he got here in on an interim foundation means he is good for the job?
Verdict: OVERREACTION
Wales confirmed much more attacking fluidity towards Eire on Saturday, and however for the contentious name on Ellis Mee’s non-try — the place he was deemed to have knocked the ball on — and the more and more irritating 20-minute pink playing cards, they might’ve received.
When is a pink card, not a pink card? Nicely rugby’s managed to twist itself in knots over that. Garry Ringrose’s hit on Ben Thomas was a pink card all day lengthy, but Eire solely needed to play with 14 males for 20 minutes. On got here Bundee Aki and he modified the match.
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Wales on document dropping streak after defeat to Eire
Wales set a brand new document for his or her most consecutive losses within the Six Nations, after defeat to Eire in a hard-fought encounter.
However Wales confirmed enchancment. Sherratt has achieved an enormous quantity within the week or so he is had within the hottest of seats, however the requires him to be anointed Warren Gatland’s successor with rapid impact are untimely. Sherratt has already mentioned the job is coming too quickly in his teaching profession. Wales might but land a coach with the pedigree of Michael Cheika, Franco Smith or Simon Easterby.
It is time for Wales to pause and take inventory, relatively than go kneejerk. Sherratt is clearly a high quality coach, and the phrase from the camp is he’s extremely standard with the gamers, however all of Welsh rugby must hearken to what he himself is saying. Nevertheless it may very well be that ultimately, the calls change into too loud and he solutions his nation’s name.
Scotland’s output just isn’t a good reflection of their expertise
Scotland are one from three within the Six Nations. They’re hamstrung by accidents, however that is one other disappointing championship from Gregor Townsend’s facet.
Verdict: NOT AN OVERREACTION
Townsend will know this full effectively: Scotland have dissatisfied on this Six Nations. There are many caveats, although, which must be talked about. It is a Scotland group with out a number of key gamers, together with the monumental Sione Tuipulotu, whereas they missed Darcy Graham towards England on Saturday. However a return of 1 win from three, in a championship that promised a lot, is a poor return. One thing wants to alter with Scotland, they’re merely not getting the returns which this proficient group deserve.
Their lack of depth is an issue — and that is not Townsend’s fault. That tight-head Zander Fagerson went 74 minutes on Saturday is a stark reminder of how they’re struggling to seek out like-for-like replacements on their bench. And you will not see one other match the place the good Finn Russell struggled from the tee like he did towards England.
They had been poor towards Eire and unfortunate towards England, however the story of Scotland underperforming when the strain is telling is much too widespread.
France must discover one other gear to beat Eire
France scored 11 tries towards Italy, and smashed all types of data within the course of. However they’re going to must be even higher to beat Eire.
Verdict: NOT AN OVERREACTION
France had been totally ruthless towards Italy. What was doubtlessly a tough journey to Italy ended up being a jaunt in Rome. They scored 11 tries, Antoine Dupont was once more astonishing, and all is effectively in France once more after their careless defeat to England in spherical two. However nonetheless, you may’t assist however really feel they’ll have to enhance additional if they’re to wrestle the title again of their favour once they head to Dublin in spherical 4. Eire’s match with France on March 8 will find yourself being the match of this yr’s championship, however Les Bleus might want to rethink and refine their gameplan for Eire.
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How Six Nations historical past was made in Italy vs. France
Check out the document breaking numbers from France’s 73-24 win vs. Italy within the Six Nations.
This was bottled aggression unleashed towards Italy. Fabien Galthié was clearly livid with their 26-25 defeat to England and gave his group a rocket. Your perspective of their 73-24 win over Italy relies on the place your allegiances lie: had been France unimaginable? Or had been Italy horrible? It was a little bit of each. However Eire will probably be one other degree to something they’ve confronted within the Six Nations to this point. They’re going to want every thing to click on to win in Dublin.
Italy can nonetheless trigger an upset at Twickenham
England will give Italy’s capitulation towards France little credence. They’re going to be nervous about Italy’s thrilling backline, and punch within the pack.
Verdict: NOT AN OVERREACTION
Italy have been a disappointment on this yr’s Six Nations. They got here into the championship promising a lot, on the twenty fifth anniversary of their first look within the Six Nations. However they had been poor towards Scotland, did sufficient to get previous a dismal Wales group, after which fell aside towards France. It is a far too acquainted a narrative.
However don’t rule out them inflicting England all types of problem in a fortnight. Their centre partnership can rival any in world rugby, and in the event that they discover a approach to get morale up, and their depth again, then they’ll channel their wounded delight right into a doubtlessly historic efficiency at Twickenham on March 9.
Italy have by no means crushed England, and attaining that’s the solely method they’ll flip this championship right into a constructive match. England will probably be favourites, however do not for one minute assume Borthwick’s facet will probably be underestimating Italy.
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