Six Nations

2022 - 3 - 13

Post cover — Image courtesy of "Wide World of Sports"

Pitch invading pest flattened by security guard (Wide World of Sports)

Six Nations: Notorious pitch invader Daniel Jarvis flattened by Twickenham security guard during national a...

"I thought we were in a position to win the game. "To play like that with 14 men for 78 minutes against an Ireland team respected as one of the best in the world takes some doing, and I'm proud to be part of the group." England was out of the title mix after its second defeat in four matches, but it still has a say in the fate of the championship. If England loses in Paris, France clinches the Six Nations and a Grand Slam. England lock Charlie Ewels was sent off for a dangerous head-on-head collision with James Ryan, which knocked the Ireland lock out of the match. A couple of days in the clink would soften his cough."

Ireland hold off England to stay in Six Nations title hunt after Ewels ... (The Guardian)

Ireland clinched a bonus point win over 14-man hosts at Twickenham to remain in contention for the Six Nations title.

The place almost erupted when it momentarily looked as if Sexton’s long pass had been picked off by Steward for a potentially game-changing interception try. Given Itoje was sick during the week, it was one of his more colossal efforts. It is not every day that England lose a massive home game by a record margin and still feel a quiet pride at the final whistle. Here, too, was another reminder of why England had won 22 of their previous 25 Six Nations games in their own steepling backyard. Top-level sport is about retaining composure and Ewels, on this occasion, conspicuously failed the test when he clattered James Ryan with the game barely begun. What might have unfolded had the Bath lock Charlie Ewels not been shown a red card after just 82 seconds is a legitimate debate but there were also moments when a raucous home crowd dared to believe a rugby miracle might just be possible.

'You're a ******* animal' - 5 things we learned from the Six Nations (RugbyPass)

France remain in Grand Slam contention, with Ireland the only team capable of denying them the Guinness Six Nations title.

Even if France go on to complete the Grand Slam, Ireland will be able to reflect on a satisfying Six Nations that bodes well for the World Cup next year – as long as they have not fallen into their customary trap of peaking too soon. But what emerged from the Principality Stadium was a new respect for the defence overseen by Shaun Edwards as waves of Welsh attackers were repelled by the blue wall. As well as being integral to the dominance of the home scrum, he was magnificent on both sides of the ball and when a team-mate could be heard on the ref mic saying “you’re a ******* animal Genge” it was meant as a compliment.

Ireland keep Six Nations title hopes alive with composure against a defiant England (ESPN Australia)

Ireland keep Six Nations title hopes alive with composure against a defiant England. Ireland scored four tries against a depleted England. Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images.

For all the heroism, this will still go down as a bonus point victory for Ireland. Gibson-Park was the man who kept them ticking over and on track while England did their best to wrestle things back. They had heroic performances throughout: Ellis Genge and Kyle Sinckler, who was replaced by Will Stuart at the break due to injury, had the Irish front-row's number and forced their six scrum penalties. Ireland headed into the game as heavy favourites, and west London was a mix of quiet Irish optimism and English tentative hope in the build up. "The composure we showed at 15-all to stick to our task and come away with the bonus point, we should be immensely proud of that," Ireland head coach Andy Farrell said. Ultimately, the pressure and personnel told to steer Ireland home by a commanding 17-point margin, complete with the bonus point, having kept their composure amid the chaos. And they found it immensely difficult to break down England, who played through a combination of raw emotion -- spurred by a bouncing Twickenham -- and disciplined organisation to frustrate Ireland. England had the ascendancy in the set piece -- winning six scrum penalties -- and enjoyed the bulk of possession.

Eddie Jones admits the prospect of yet another fifth-place Six ... (Daily Mail)

The defeat by Ireland means they will once again be consigned to mid-table mediocrity when the championship concludes on Saturday.

‘We want to take it to them. Eddie Jones always rails against the idea of copying another side, but Wales showed France can be fallible. England could do a lot worse than try something similar. Randall has many qualities, but Youngs’ kicking is far better. The results will catch up.’ We’re disappointed we haven’t, but sometimes circumstances mean the results don’t mimic the performances. For them to be playing for the Grand Slam, it does become something in their head and the only way we can make that live in their head a bit more is to play with such intensity that we put them on the back foot.’ Obviously, our aim was to win the championship. France look ruthless behind the scrum and bthey will surely score tries in Paris. England will have to match that, but if they don’t do it at the Stade de France, defeat and another mediocre Six Nations finish looks likely. Eddie Jones has admitted the prospect of a fifth-place Six Nations finish for the second successive year would be unacceptable for his England side. Eddie Jones said the prospect of a fifth-place Six Nations finish for England is unacceptable 'It's not good enough, why would it be good enough?': Eddie Jones admits the prospect of yet another fifth-place Six Nations finish for his England side would be UNACCEPTABLE... as they prepare to face France next

Wales, Ireland and Scotland warned they'll never win Six Nations ... (WalesOnline)

Talk was raised again about the world champion Springboks coming on board after Italy went down to a 36th straight defeat.

“The problem with international rugby is that it is the result of long-term athletic development. Wales have never won a game in South Africa in the history of matches between the two nations, which date back to 1906. "I’m going to say something here. “That cannot happen. Nevertheless, private equity form CVC, who have taken a sizeable stake in the Six Nations, are said to want to grow the tournament and feel the pulling power of South Africa would create huge new commercial opportunities. “Unless there’s fundamental change, the drumbeat for South Africa to be in this is going to get louder.”