Six Nations: Marcus Smith cements fullback spot? Ireland need reset?

It was destined to be on the spotlight weekends of the Six Nations, and it duly delivered. Spherical 4 introduced up an enormous victory for France to finish Eire’s hopes of a Grand Slam and sure the title, too. It offered yet one more defeat for Wales, this time in opposition to Scotland at Murrayfield, earlier than England completed off the motion by cruising previous Italy.

There’s loads of meals for thought, however are these reactions irrational or authentic? ESPN’s Tom Hamilton and James Regan weigh in.

Soar to:

England | Eire | Wales
Scotland | France | Italy

Marcus Smith’s finest England match is at fullback

Marcus Smith endured a tricky week having been dropped to the bench for Sunday’s match with Italy, however after simply 9 minutes, he was known as into motion. Is Smith now a fullback first, fly-half second, in all probability an entertainer third?

Verdict: OVERREACTION

All week, the narrative was round Smith being dropped and what it meant for his long-term prospects. It regarded like Borthwick had settled on Fin Smith at fly-half and Elliot Daly (or the injured George Furbank) because the long-term solutions to fullback. That left Smith within the wilderness. However with Ollie Lawrence succumbing to his brutal Achilles harm within the early levels of Sunday’s match, Smith was known as into motion.

The roar that greeted him because the TV cameras picked him up confirmed he’s nonetheless the star attraction on this England staff, and Smith proved his worth, as soon as once more.

Within the first minute of the second half he put in a match-shifting sort out on Matt Gallagher, and two minutes later, he crossed for the rating that broke Italy’s resolve and secured the bonus level. However is Smith now completely forged as a fullback for England? Briefly, no. Danny Care, his Harlequins teammate and generally England half-back associate, mentioned he’s nonetheless a fly-half first, and you need to agree.

Smith’s versatility is a superb increase for England, however he’s happiest at No.10. — Tom Hamilton

Overlook Six Nations historical past, Eire want reset

Earlier than Spherical 4, Eire have been chasing a historic third Six Nations title on the bounce. A Grand Slam was inside attain. Then they bumped into France. Simon Easterby’s staff have been dismantled and given a brutal actuality test. However do they should press the reset button?

Verdict: OVERREACTION

This outcome harm Eire. It was an emotionally-charged event with Peter O’Mahony, Conor Murray and Cian Healy all enjoying their last match in Dublin for Eire, and the staff have been determined to present them a worthy send-off. France had different concepts.

Even after seeing talisman Antoine Dupont undergo a brutal ACL harm within the twenty eighth minute, they nonetheless managed to maintain their depth excessive and executed a splendidly efficient gameplan that nullified Eire’s energy sport and gave them sufficient area and time to carry Damian Penaud and Louis Bielle-Biarrey into the match.

They ended up conceding 34 unanswered factors in a deadly 28-minute spell.

Now’s the time for evolution, fairly than revolution. Eire must usher in among the new period in opposition to Italy subsequent weekend — like beginning hooker Gus McCarthy — whereas in addition they must clean up the centre partnership to present themselves another choices there. However now shouldn’t be the time to panic. Little tweaks are wanted right here and there; they should line up the following band of Irish greats to step into the sizable void left by O’Mahony, Murray and Healy, however there is no such thing as a want to return to the drafting board. — Hamilton

Matt Sherratt’s Wales stint can nonetheless be success

It was one other robust weekend for Wales, ending in a record-extending sixteenth consecutive defeat. Their final hope now of ending that streak this month and avoiding the wood spoon is available in a house conflict in opposition to England — interim boss Matt Sherratt’s last sport in cost.

Verdict: NOT AN OVERREACTION

As Jamie George mentioned post-match on Sunday, Wales’ assembly with England in Cardiff is their “World Cup last.”

Wales have proven indicators of progress in Sherratt’s two matches up to now, pushing Eire and Scotland shut, however they’re nonetheless chasing that elusive victory and an finish to their undesirable run. Towards Scotland, they secured two bonus factors within the final play of the match as they scored their fourth attempt to received inside seven. They’re exhibiting admirable character and have undoubtedly taken a step ahead, however they badly want that victory as a tangible signal of progress.

Wales vs. England is likely one of the matches of the yr, particularly when it is underneath the roof in Cardiff. The Principality Stadium will likely be in full voice, Wales’ younger gamers will discover a approach to increase themselves to a different stage and they’ll throw the whole lot at Steve Borthwick’s aspect.

England will likely be favourites, however unusual issues occur in Cardiff when these two meet. A win and the clamour to present Sherratt the job full-time will certainly show an excessive amount of for each him and the WRU. — Hamilton.

France needs to be apprehensive with out Dupont

Hardly ever will a efficiency be so memorable as France’s show in opposition to Eire. They scored 5 tries on their approach to an excellent 42-27 victory and earned command of the event. It got here amid a bitter word although as their dynamic playmaker Dupont was pressured off with a knee harm that was later confirmed to be a ruptured cruciate ligament.

The Six Nations trophy shouldn’t be in France’s fingers simply but, with Scotland nonetheless to go to on Saturday. Can they win it with out maybe the most effective participant in world rugby?

Verdict: OVERREACTION

Affirmation of Dupont’s harm is devastating for France and their supporters, in addition to all followers of rugby. He’ll miss the remainder of the season and probably the beginning of the following.

The silver lining for France is when Dupont was helped from the pitch in opposition to Eire after half an hour, the sport was removed from over they usually went on to blow Eire off the park.

Eire had been dominating. You’ll have thought at that time, with Dupont leaving the competition, that Eire would have seized their second. In fact, that did not occur. Maxime Lucu was a greater than succesful substitute and France ran riot.

Most significantly, different gamers stepped up, too. Fly-half Romain Ntamack steered the ship, the forwards — with the 7-1 bench break up — overpowered and out-muscled Eire’s pack. The very fact they did it with out Dupont will give Fabien Galthie’s aspect a wealth of confidence.

If something, the harm may galvanise them. It is going to be heartbreaking to not see Dupont try and steer France to the title in Paris subsequent week, however they’ve greater than sufficient to complete the job. — James Regan

Scotland’s Six Nations is already over

Scotland have been enduring a troublesome event to date. Accidents have been mounting, and defeats in opposition to England and Eire may have stung. Nonetheless, Gregor Townsend’s aspect rescued issues barely with a win over Wales at Murrayfield. However with a date in opposition to France in Paris on the horizon, is their event already over?

Verdict: OVERREACTION

Wouldn’t it be a shock to see Scotland emerge victorious in Paris? Completely, however that does not imply it may’t occur.

Scotland have a lot to realize from a optimistic outcome subsequent weekend. Victory would finish one other irritating marketing campaign on a excessive word and assist change the narrative for a aspect which has been hampered by harm. All of a sudden, they might have crushed Italy, Wales and France they usually may also argue they need to have crushed England.

They went all the way down to Eire after dropping Finn Russell and Darcy Graham half approach by. Beating France would give Scotland a lift in confidence they’ll carry into subsequent yr.

There’s additionally the small matter of the British & Irish Lions. Finn Russell, Blair Kinghorn, Darcy Graham, Duhan van Der Merwe, Huw Jones, Ben White, Jamie Ritchie, Rory Darge, Zander Fagerson and Pierre Schoeman are simply among the gamers who will need a large sport to impresser Lions coach Andy Farrell.

Eire’s efficiency in opposition to France has thrown the doorways open when it comes to choice. No person has a mortgage on a Lions jersey for the tour of Australia, and people Scotland gamers will wish to put their finest foot ahead in Paris. — Regan.

That is Italy’s most disappointing Six Nations

It was a well-known script for Italy on Sunday as they fell to a dark defeat in opposition to England. If they cannot discover a well beyond Eire on the Stadio Olimpico subsequent weekend, then they’ll finish with a single, slender victory over Wales and a slew of flat performances. When judged in opposition to expectations, is that this probably the most disappointing Six Nations but for Azzurri?

Verdict: OVERREACTION

Heading into the event, Italy have been seen as a aspect that might be massively aggressive and trigger points for each aspect they confronted. As a substitute, after 4 rounds of motion, it looks like they’ve regressed.

Their factors differential of -77 is the worst within the competitors, having conceded 166 factors — 39 greater than Wales. Even of their solo win, they have been outscored two tries to 1, and as an alternative of exhibiting their class, they bludgeoned their approach to victory with the boot.

They induced few points for Scotland, France and England in matches that felt just like the previous days the place Italy gave the opposition a simple likelihood to rack up the factors. With the gamers they’ve they need to be doing a lot better.

The Six Nations is brutal. You may’t be off your sport for a second. Possibly, after the relative success of final season, there was some complacency from the Azzurri. If that was the case, they’ve been dealt a wholesome dose of actuality this yr.

That mentioned, they’ve gained a sport, and it wasn’t an enormous shock.That ought to not but be taken without any consideration. — Regan

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