It was in Week 2 of this 12 months’s Six Nations that the motion actually kicked into gear. Wales sank additional with a humbling defeat towards Italy in Rome, England shocked France with a chaotic victory at Twickenham and Eire confirmed why they’re agency favourites for the title in a dominant win over Scotland.
There may be loads of meals for thought, however are these reactions irrational or legit? ESPN’s Tom Hamilton and James Regan weigh in.
Leap to:
England | Eire | Wales
Scotland | France | Italy
Fin Smith cemented England fly-half spot
England went with a Take a look at rookie at fly-half towards France. It was a bet. However Fin Smith put in a Participant of the Match efficiency. Is it now his shirt to lose?
Verdict: NOT AN OVERREACTION
Fin Smith may have crumbled. After kicking the match off, his first contact of the ball noticed him charged down. This was his maiden England begin, having been given the keys to No. 10. However as an alternative of letting it get to him, he pushed on and grew into the match, trusting his instincts and the uncooked skillset that is seen him given the chance within the beginning fly-half spot.
He was spectacular in defence, but additionally moulded the backline collectively in a more practical method than when Marcus Smith was at 10. After which got here the important thing moments which swung the steadiness of the match in England’s favour.
First the cross-kick to Tommy Freeman within the 58th minute. There have been audible groans from the England followers within the stadium as he launched it into the sky; they’d grown fatigued at seeing England beforehand kick possession away. However this was pinpoint, touchdown on Freeman who plucked the ball from the air above Louis Bielle-Biarrey and dotted it down. Later, with the match ticking in direction of full time with England six factors down, Smith was the fulcrum of the backs transfer that put Elliot Daly over. A couple of seconds later, he slotted the match-winning conversion, having taken on the kicking duties earlier within the match from Marcus Smith.
It was the efficiency of somebody far past his tender years, and nice Take a look at expertise. Nevertheless it was additionally precisely what England wanted. Marcus Smith will need to get his 10 jersey again — particularly with George Furbank returning within the coming weeks — whereas George Ford is much from carried out as a global fly-half. However Fin Smith is the incumbent and it is his jersey to lose. — Tom Hamilton
Eire will make historical past this Six Nations
Verdict: NOT AN OVERREACTION
This was meant to be the weekend the place Scotland snapped their 10-match dropping run towards Eire — however as an alternative, Simon Easterby’s crew eased by the match at Murrayfield, taking it 32-18.
Sam Prendergast had an armchair experience at fly-half and managed to steer the match brilliantly, whereas the bench made a agency impression, similar to they did towards England in spherical one. Two matches down, and it could not actually have gone any higher for Eire.
Two matches down, and it could not actually have gone any higher for Eire. You are feeling they have not even but reached high gear, and all of the whereas they’re clocking up the wins.
Up subsequent for Easterby’s crew is a visit to Cardiff to face crisis-ridden Wales, then it is France coming to city in spherical 4, and eventually, a flight over to Rome to sort out Italy. That France match is totally key. You anticipate they will win towards Wales — although anticipate Gatland’s aspect to place up one hell of a battle — and if there is a title on the road, they will win in Rome.
Nevertheless it’s that France match will determine whether or not they find yourself with the Grand Slam or not. Regardless, they’ve 10 factors from their two matches thus far, and all indicators are pointing in direction of them lifting the trophy for the third time in as a few years.
Wales dropping streak will attain 17 video games
Wales merely needed to discover a strategy to beat Italy. However as an alternative they got here away from Rome bloodied and bruised after a 22-15 defeat, their 14th Take a look at loss in a row. With Scotland, Eire and England to come back, they’re more likely to find yourself with the wood spoon once more.
Verdict: NOT AN OVERREACTION
Nothing went Wales’ approach in Rome. There have been dropped passes with the tryline gaping, 14 penalties coughed up, and unlucky errors compounding any progress. And the defeat left the gamers and administration desolate. It was their 14th Take a look at defeat in a row. They’re twelfth on the earth rankings, beneath Georgia.
“There isn’t any doubt it is difficult,” Warren Gatland stated afterwards. “You do query your self. You undoubtedly really feel the stress as a crew that hasn’t received for some time. It is not the best place to be in. However it’s a must to be sturdy.”
It stays to be seen if the WRU give him the time to show this round.
Dan Biggar, the previous Welsh fly-half, stated afterwards: “This crew look wanting perception and confidence. The curve has been downward. I do not assume something is off the desk. It might probably’t be. It might probably’t keep on.”
No matter what occurs after the ultimate throes of the Six Nations, Wales nonetheless have three matches on this event. They’ve Eire at residence on Feb. 22, Scotland away on March 8 after which England in Cardiff on March 15.
The wonder and ridiculous nature of this sport is you’ll be able to persuade your self they might discover a strategy to win a kind of Assessments regardless of type and logic saying in any other case. Stranger issues have occurred, and also you do fancy Gatland to tug a rabbit out of the hat.
He is carried out it earlier than, and few are higher at successful when backs towards the wall, however a look on the bookmakers sees Wales destined for the wood spoon. It is going to take a monumental effort to keep away from this changing into 17 defeats on the bounce. — Tom Hamilton
Antoine Dupont was overhyped earlier than England conflict
France will probably be kicking themselves this week having seen victory slip by their fingers at Twickenham on Saturday on a 26-25 defeat to England. In a sloppy efficiency, even Dupont wasn’t immune from key errors and one may argue that the feting of his abilities by many as the best in world rugby union for the time being is an overreach.
Verdict: OVERREACTION
Admittedly, the sight of Dupont making key errors at numerous phases of the match was weird — though it was totally loved by the Twickenham trustworthy.
Whereas England followers had the final snort on Saturday, do not be fooled into considering Dupont was in any approach overhyped.
He’s the world’s greatest participant by a ways. He was nonetheless instrumental in France’s good moments. He bought them going earlier than handing off to Damian Penaud who arrange their opening attempt.
The France skipper additionally labored his aspect completely up subject of their quick response to Ollie Lawrence’s attempt for France’s second. However his impression, each due to England’s stress and France’s personal errors, was extra restricted than typical.
He lower a stern determine within the post-match information convention and admitted his aspect bombed at the least three tries. Being the implausible participant he’s, he’ll be ensuring neither he or his teammates have a repeat of their failure at Twickenham, so anticipate him to be again with a fireplace in his stomach Italy and particularly towards Eire subsequent month. — James Regan
Scotland’s Gregor Townsend is within the sizzling seat
After an escape job towards Italy in week one, Scotland had been effectively overwhelmed 32-18 in Edinburgh on Sunday as their dropping streak towards Eire stretched to 11.
Verdict: OVERREACTION
Accidents could finally spare Scotland’s blushes this 12 months, however there have nonetheless been patches in each their matches that will probably be of significant concern.
On paper, they’ve a powerful aspect from 1-15, with expertise all around the park. They wobbled towards Italy, however the wheels fell off towards an excellent Eire aspect. The absence of Finn Russell and Darcy Graham owing to a nasty collision was an absolute dagger — however nonetheless, they had been by no means really within the battle.
The picture of Russell and the injured Sione Tuipulotu on the sidelines towards Eire will go away Scotland followers questioning what may need been, and it is a sight that may ease the stress on Townsend. How can he be anticipated to compete with a lot dangerous luck by way of accidents? Who is aware of what could have unfolded had these two, in addition to Scott Cummings, been on the pitch.
What it does imply is the sport towards England in a fortnight is shaping as much as be essential — extra so than typical even — for either side and maybe crucially, the coaches. — James Regan
Italy have been underwhelming thus far
After a sluggish begin which price them dearly towards Scotland, Italy earned victory towards Wales on Saturday which may see them keep away from the wood spoon once more this season.
VERDICT: NOT AN OVERREACTION
The primary half towards Scotland was disappointing, with their key gamers failing to make an impression. They then hosted a really underwhelming Wales aspect who had been once more closely criticised after the 22-15 defeat in Rome.
Saturday’s recreation was an opportunity for Italy to activate the razzle dazzle and assert their authority over their wood spoon rivals. As a substitute, they seemed as if they had been pleased to cruise and, whereas penalty factors had been handed to them and so they performed good, you’ll anticipate extra progress from a aspect with a lot attacking potential.
They did not put the foot on the throat as high groups do, and allowed Wales again into the sport late to earn a rating which flattered them. Italy may kick on from right here, however followers will probably be hoping for extra tries and pleasure going ahead. — James Regan
– Tom Hamilton at Twickenham: How England broke their hoodoo
– James Regan on France: ‘Golden technology’ want title greater than ever
– Why rugby ‘mavericks’ are a factor of the previous
– WATCH: Relive a few of Six Nations’ traditional video games
– NEWS: Maro Itoje hails England bravery in chaotic win
– Six Nations and Girls’s Six Nations: Full fixture record
