Six Nations

Ireland player ratings: After a crucial - maybe even tournament-deciding - win against France, a rapidly improving Italy at Stadio Olimpico.

[James Ryan](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/james-ryan/) in a play or two later. [Jack Conan](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/jack-conan/) – 6 A late calf issue also sidelined [Garry Ringrose](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/garry-ringrose/), forcing a change-up in the midfield. Maybe Doris’ weakest performance of the championship to date, which is no great slight given his superlative form in the first two rounds. Rumours have linked Henderson with a move to France this week but if any conjecture about his club future didn’t show here. Lucky to avoid being sin-binned for a swinging hand to the face of Cappuzzo. Fumbled a try that may well have settled the contest with 20 or so minutes to go. A sloppy pass gifted [Bundee Aki](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/bundee-aki/) – 6 Finished off with an F-Bomb in his post-match interview. Another superb outing here for the former Ireland Sevens star. than a seismic task.

Ireland's hunt for a Six Nations Grand Slam is on after the world's top-ranked team overcame Italy 34-20 in an entertaining encounter in Rome on Saturday.

However Byrne then slotted a penalty of his own before Hansen scored his second try of the match with nine minutes remaining when he slipped away from the defensive line to cross under the posts and guarantee Ireland the win. Bruno made the half-time score a respectable 24-17 in favour of the Irish when he intercepted a sloppy Aki pass and charged most of the field to score under the posts for a score converted by Garbisi. However Italy recovered from the early blow and after a long spell of pressure swept the ball across to the right flank and into the hands of Nicolo Cannone, who burst through the Irish defence and fell just short of the try line.

Wing Mack Hansen scored a brace of tries as Ireland held off a spirited challenge from hosts Italy in Rome to claim a 34-20 bonus-point victory in the Six ...

Following a 34-20 victory for Ireland over Italy in their Six Nations fixture, here's our five takeaways from the match at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

But a Test rookie coming off the bench against Scotland at Murrayfield is not ideal, with Ireland fans no doubt keeping a close eye on Furlong’s recovery updates in the coming week or so. McCloskey and Aki were superb on attack, with both players showcasing their physicality and softer skills, particularly in the first half. This caused a midfield shuffle, with Bundee Aki shifting to outside centre and Stuart McCloskey reclaiming the number 12 jumper. There is a reason very few top teams run it from deep, and Italy need to learn the value of territory. A lot of attention has rightly been given to Paolo Garbisi and Ange Capuozzo, two players that have already shown their class regularly at international level, but others are also stepping up. It was very much a case of job done for Ireland as they picked up a bonus-point success over the Azzurri.

Ireland coach Andy Farrell was pleased with the five points but not the performance after watching his side labour to a 34-20 victory over Italy in their ...

"It is about the performance, about the next one. "We found a way and it's nice to get the bonus-point win away from home. they were tough and resilient and in the forwards they gave us absolutely nothing. "All credit must go to Italy, it was a proper Test match, they are a proper side," Farrell said. "We let them into the game through lack of discipline at times. I don't know what it was, four or five tries that we left out there," said Farrell.

Full-back Freddie Steward mastered an aerial bombardment to help England to a 20-10 victory over Wales in the Six Nations at the Principality Stadium on ...

The ball was recycled, but Dombrandt was on hand to win a crucial penalty for England, Farrell clearing. Halfpenny converted and, against all the odds, Wales were 10-8 up. Farrell's conversion came back off the post. "I thought it was a step forward for us. A raft of replacements took the sting out of the electric start to the second half. Fair play to them."

For the Welsh fans, they'll see this through a different range of red-tinted spectacles. You'll have those who talk of how it's 0-3 for Wales in this Six Nations, and look to the grim reality of the hand Warren ...

It was only on Wednesday when the game was green lit after their 10-day long tete-a-tete with the powers that be in Wales over contracts and a voice. They have had some fine days here in Cardiff; the sorts of days where the noise reverberates through your chest, you get carried away on the hymns and arias and you cannot see anything but a Welsh victory. But the new faces in the Welsh midfield in Mason Grady and Joe Hawkins are experiencing a different Principality Stadium. You'll have those who talk of how it's 0-3 for Wales in this Six Nations, and look to the grim reality of the hand Warren Gatland's been dealt. But speak to 100 people on St Mary's Street on Saturday evening and you'll have the same number of differing views on this game. Freddie Steward was at the forefront of the tussle -- and was fantastic throughout.

Anthony Watson – on his first England start for two years – went over for the only try of the first half, and prop Kyle Sinckler and center Ollie Lawrence added ...

England will rarely have had a more straightforward win in the Welsh capital. Fair play to them." For England coach Steve Borthwick, it’s two wins from three to start his tenure as his team continued to rely on big defence, a solid kick-and-chase game and a strong set-piece – the country’s traditional strengths. Wales’ sole try came from an intercept on halfway, with winger Louis Rees-Zammit motoring clear for the score. *

Warren Gatland felt his Wales side created their own problems in the Six Nations defeat to England, while England's Steve Borthwick lauded his players' ...

"We drew a line in the sand on Wednesday and not having that as an excuse. There was a fair contingent there today, they were incredible," he said. And I'll keep backing the boys to do that. The energy and work-rate I can't question," he said. Whether it's nailing a lineout, or the ball going to ground off a pass. "We weren't making any excuses over what happened during the week.

England lowered Wales' colours while the Irish picked up a bonus point in beating Italy.

Australian wing Mack Hansen has scored a brace of tries for Ireland as they held off a spirited challenge from hosts Italy in Rome to claim a 34-20 bonus-point victory in the Six Nations and stayed on course for the grand slam. But France, at home, and Ireland away make for the toughest possible finish to the Six Nations for the English. England have piled on the misery for Wales with a 20-10 victory that left the beleaguered hosts nursing a third straight loss to open the Six Nations.

Ireland's hunt for a Six Nations Grand Slam is on after the world's top-ranked team overcame Italy 34-20 in an entertaining encounter in Rome on Saturday.

However Byrne then slotted a penalty of his own before Hansen scored his second try of the match with nine minutes remaining when he slipped away from the defensive line to cross under the posts and guarantee Ireland the win. That is just a credit to Italy, we knew it was going to be a tough game. I was one of those whose discipline wasn't good enough." Montpellier fly-half Garbisi then kicked Italy to within four points of Ireland with a 56th-minute penalty and the hosts avoided the deficit being extended two minutes later when Aki was adjudged to have lost possession before dotting down. Bruno made the half-time score a respectable 24-17 in favour of the Irish when he intercepted a sloppy Aki pass and charged most of the field to score under the posts for a score converted by Garbisi. However Italy recovered from the early blow and after a long spell of pressure swept the ball across to the right flank and into the hands of Nicolo Cannone, who burst through the Irish defence and fell just short of the try line.

Ireland coach Andy Farrell was pleased with the five points but not the performance after watching his side labour to a 34-20 victory over Italy in their ...

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell was grateful his side could get the win against Italy in a “proper Test match” at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

The coach underlined how dangerous this [Italy](https://www.planetrugby.com/team/italy/) side is and is delighted to come away with a bonus point win. “Which Irish fan wouldn’t have been biting their nails when the cross-field kick (from Ignacio Brex at 27-20) went in and bounced very close. We just weren’t accurate enough in certain areas.” “We’re absolutely gutted about that result today. It was a proper Test match,” Farrell said It was a tough match.

Wins in their opening two matches have boosted confidence before the clash with a fired-up France at the Stade de France.

As a 21-year-old in 1995, his out-the-back pass – the celebrated “Toonie Flip” – to send Gavin Hastings steaming through for a memorable winning try at the old Parc des Princes helped the Scots end a 26-year winless streak in the French capital. France were leading five minutes into injury time when Duhan van der Merwe finished off a remarkable 23-phase assault, despite Scotland being a man down for the final 10 minutes after Russell’s red card. They have a settled side, with Finn Russell and Richie Gray playing some of the rugby of their lives, and are bolstered by the return of two British & Irish Lions. Watson, a potent breakdown bandit, will be key to stopping France hitting their stride in attack while adding speed and ball-carrying vibrancy to Scotland’s own. The tighthead has history against Scotland. Hamish Watson, fully restored to fitness, replaces Luke Crosbie on the openside flank.

England boss Steve Borthwick was pleased with his side's composure after going behind early in the second period to comeback and win 20-10 in Cardiff.

You saw the speed of ball improve and we scored a really well worked try,” Borthwick said. “Getting up for an England-Wales game is not difficult. “I liked that it was an incredible Test match. “The two halves were very different, but that tells me a lot about our players. But the players adapted really well to win that pressure battle. England maintained their composure and built themselves in the game again, with Kyle Sinckler crashing over four minutes later.

Minute-by-minute report: A Six Nations showdown awaits in Paris. Join Daniel Gallan for all the latest news.

It was a poor pass and was never on as he went for a miracle ball to his right. It’s not a great one so Scotland have the feed to the line-out on the 22. Price fizzes it and Russell plays a flat line pass for Jones on a scything angle and he darts over under the posts. It’s only a toe that’s out, but he’s out, even though he wormed the ball on the ground. Russell stabs a grubber that puts the ball out close to the French line. He’s taking the ball flat at the line and working it for runners on the angle, which he did for Jones to score. Rather than go to their functioning maul Scotland go long on the line out. Clean ball goes down to the maul and it makes ground. Price gathers over the ball and delays just enough to find Russell on the wrap around. But Scotland hold up the ball carrier and it’s a maul. Scotland had done brilliantly to repel the French and win a penalty. There is still the title and the Triple Crown to play for, but that was a blow to lose that after playing so well and taking the game to a great French team.”

Follow live text updates and BBC radio commentary as Scotland travel to France in the 2023 Six Nations.

France were genuinely concerned they were going to lose that game. After a really tough start, we got back into it, had ascendancy in the second half. Losing was an unusual thing to feel and not a very pleasant one, but then we'll be planning for Twickenham. We were a lot more disciplined in our kicking game and that definitely helped us. It didn't really affect both teams' game plans that much. It was quickly levelled up. France defence coach Shaun Edwards tells ITV: "They dominated territory and possession, seemed to be attacking in our 22 for a lot of the game but that's what you expect from a top-class team. France showed their quality at the end. There's a chemistry, confidence, and trust in that midfield to read the game and find those lines. "Of course losing Hamish Watson is a blow and even when the opposition go to 14, when you've got 14, you're without Hamish, who plays at speed. "It's weird saying that when you've had two victories but a lot of our play was outstanding. FT: France 32-21 Scotland

Freddie Steward shines as England sink a stubborn Wales side which refused to go away after the lively Louis Rees-Zammit's try.

6 7 6 Lewis Ludlam Came up with a big turnover just before the interval in a key period where England held firm. 1 Ellis Genge Huge tackle on Halfpenny and a good battle with Francis at the scrum. 11 Anthony Watson Has a habit of scoring against Wales and took his try on his first start in nearly two years wonderfully well. 5 Alun Wyn Jones Was in the thick of things, stealing lineouts and so often a willing carrier.

Now Scotland go searching for a third win in a row, and will look to take inspiration from Finn Russell's spellbinding performance against Wales in Round 2.

Here’s everything you need to know about the game: It will be shown live on ITV 1 and STV 1, with coverage starting from 2:15pm. [Gregor Townsend](/topic/gregor-townsend)’s side have made a sensational start to their campaign with back-to-back wins over England and Wales. Scotland win: 3/1 Blair Kinghorn, 23. Ali Price, 23.

Having also been run uncomfortably close by Italy in Rome on opening day, there is a sense that Les Bleus need a commanding performance here to reassert their ...

Going into a game like this on the back of wins is a much better place to be than if you’re coming off the back of defeats. “I’m really comfortable playing with him on both sides of the ball. But they face a tough test against a Scotland side high on confidence after opening their campaign with successive victories for the first time since 1996. Follow France vs Scotland in the Six Nations live below! Two of the very best! Defending champions France are back on home soil for the first time in 2023 as they look to recover quickly from a titanic loss in Dublin a fortnight ago that saw their dreams of consecutive Grand Slams firmly dashed by rampant Ireland.

Scotland travelled to the Stade de France hoping to keep alive their dreams of a Six Nations Grand Slam, but Les Bleus crushed their unbeaten run following ...

Les Bleus travel to Twickenham when the tournament resumes in a fortnight's time, while Scotland host leaders [Ireland](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/ireland-rugby-union-team) at Murrayfield. [Gregor Townsend](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/gregor-townsend)'s side targeting three straight wins in their opening three games of a Six Nations for the first time. Player of the Match Fickou forced his way over to apply the finishes touches with seconds left on the clock, breaking Scottish hearts and any chance of a losing bonus point. For all the chaos that comprised the first 20 minutes, a tense 'tete-a-tete' grew turgid as reality set in for both teams. But after Gilchrist's quickfire red threatened to ruin Sunday's contest between two of Europe's best teams, equilibrium was restored in unfortunate fashion as Haouas became the first player to be dismissed twice in the Six Nations. Fabien Galthie's titleholders came out on top despite being outscored in the second half, with Gael Fickou, Romain Ntamack, Ethan Dumortier and Thomas Ramos each scoring to seal the bonus-point victory.

Gael Fickou gave the defending champions a bonus point in Sunday's clash with a last-minute try to add to those of Romain Ntamack, Ethan Dumortier and Thomas ...

Scotland reduced the arrears early on in the second half as Jones powered through for his second try as France's strategy was to limit the damage. Russell was more inspired to put the visitors on the scoreboard with a superb pass for centre Jones who touched down between the posts. Gael Fickou gave the defending champions a bonus point in Sunday's clash with a last-minute try to add to those of Romain Ntamack, Ethan Dumortier and Thomas Ramos, who kicked the rest of the points.

Scottish lock Grant Gilchrist and French tighthead prop Mohamed Haouas were sent off early in the first half for separate offences, leaving both teams playing ...

“After a really tough start, we got back into it, had ascendancy in the second half. "They dominated territory and possession, seemed to be attacking in our 22 for a lot of the game but that's what you expect from a top-class team,” he told ITV. Within less than 60 seconds of Gilchrist's sending off, France had its second try as the tournament newcomer Dumortier was fed by Ntamack in the corner. Such indiscipline could cost Haouas a World Cup place later this year. France was creaking but Scotland botched an attacking lineout to give away possession and let the French off the hook. Two tries from centre Huw Jones saw the Scots rally to 22-14.

France player ratings: Although France, last year's Grand Slam winners, suffered a setback in their previous match against Ireland, they...

[Huw Jones](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/huw-jones/) early in the second. [Francois Cros](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/francois-cros/) wasn’t quite at the races, while Matthieu Jailbert looked lively again. [Finn Russell](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/finn-russell/) pass. [Charles Ollivon](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/charles-ollivon/) – 7.5 He didn’t return. Was caught loafing covering back by [Stuart Hogg](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/stuart-hogg/), which gifted Scotland an attacking scrum on the 5-metre line. [Thibaud Flament](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/thibaud-flament/) – 7 [Antoine Dupont](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/antoine-dupont/) – 7.5 [Ethan Dumortier](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/ethan-dumortier/) – 7.5 Failed to get a pass away when France had a possible break in the offing in what was a breathless first half and was unable to stop Finn Russell on the angle. Was looking to make things happen even if none of them quite paid off. [Thomas Ramos](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/thomas-ramos/) – 7.5

Gregor Townsend's side were ripped apart early on as the hosts raced into a 19-0 lead.

Another Ramos penalty in the 56th minute edged France 11 points ahead, but the Scots remained in the ascendancy and they got themselves a third try in the 68th minute when Russell reached over after being played in by replacement Ali Price. Russell was again on the mark with the conversion. The conversion was successfully kicked by Russell.

France ended Scotland's hopes of a Six Nations Grand Slam with a 32-21 victory in a high-octane, nail-biting clash with both sides reduced to 14 men early ...

France full-back Thomas Ramos scored 17 points to end Scotland's hopes of a Six Nations Grand Slam with a 32-21 win at the Stade de France on Sunday.

Scotland's hopes of a comeback were ended with 20 seconds left as player of the match Gael Fickou claimed a bonus point for France and Ramos added the extras. The visitors hit back with 12 minutes to play as Russell attacked the France defence and found a gap to dive over and he succeeded with conversion to make it a four-point game. Scotland failed to make the most of good territorial gains and trailed by 19-0 as Ramos intercepted Finn Russell's pass to run in from 50 metres unopposed with just a quarter of the game gone. "It was that. Townsend's visitors, seeking just a second win in Paris in 24 years, decided to play with the strong wind in the first half but failed to make the most of the advantage early on. We managed to get out of difficult times to then be on top and then go and get the bonus point at the end."

Both sides had played dismissed in the opening 10 minutes for dangerous head contact with Scotland lock Grant Gilchrist dismissed before French prop Mohamed ...

Within less than 60 seconds of Gilchrist’s sending off, France had its second try as the tournament newcomer Dumortier was fed by Ntamack in the corner. France was creaking but Scotland botched an attacking lineout to give away possession and let the French off the hook. Two tries from center Huw Jones saw the Scots rally to 22-14.

Scotland player ratings: Scotland's hopes of a first Six Nations Grand Slam were brought to an end in Paris as France edged a...

On just before the hour. Managed the lineout well alongside his brother and added his weight to some powerful carries. Might have dummied to van der Merwe when the big wing was bundled into touch on 24 minutes. Back at the Stade de France since winning 2019 Top14 final with Toulouse for the first time. Maybe a bit guilty of leaving Scotland’s mauls early and will have been disappointed with a costly fumble in the first half as Scotland attacked the French line. [Ben White](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/ben-white/) – 7 At his best, he is sensational. Made an excellent defensive read as the hosts looked to break. [Sione Tuipulotu](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/sione-tuipulotu/) – 7 Found plenty of room in the outside channel and scored two superb tries. Denied a couple of attacking chances by dubious forward passes, but worked hard on and off the ball. [Stuart Hogg](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/stuart-hogg/) – 7

Gael Fickou gave the defending champions a bonus point in Sunday's clash with a last-minute try to add to those of Romain Ntamack, Ethan Dumortier and Thomas ...

Some brilliant moves, however, brought Dumortier on the cusp of a fifth try for France, but the winger made a poor choice in front of the line. Scotland reduced the arrears early on in the second half as Jones powered through for his second try as France's strategy was to limit the damage. Russell was more inspired to put the visitors on the scoreboard with a superb pass for centre Jones who touched down between the posts.

Check out our five takeaways from the Six Nations clash between France and Scotland that took place at the Stade de France on Sunday.

Their defence was stretched to breaking point but came through, their players returning from injury put in massive shifts and they seem to have found an outstanding back up to Uni Atonio at tighthead prop in the rather large shape of Sipili Falatea. In the second half, France allowed Scotland 12 throws for one reason or another, failing to control the one point of attack where the visitors held a clear advantage. It was defensive intellect of the highest order, exactly the quality that defines Fickou’s game, and his display was capped off with both a player of the match award and a late try. But to suggest it’s all Russell is to ignore the part Ben White is playing in releasing his fly-half. They had considerably the better of both possession (55%) and territory (64%) but never managed to quite get the breakdown momentum in later phases to challenge French width. France will be delighted in many aspects of this match. A man known for his workrate, he was absolutely everywhere, tidying mess, stopping momentum and in simple terms, making an absolute nuisance of himself. With Ollivon and Thibaud Flament also having big impacts in ‘D’, Shaun Edwards’ week of rollickings appears to have paid off. Scotland’s response to going three tries down in relatively quick succession was one built upon belief, passion and rather more pragmatically, a fantastic display of lineout and maul intellect, and growing scrum power as the match wore on. In short, two thirds of their starting back-row went before the first quarter had finished. Ethan Dumortier followed soon after, and in the 18th minute Finn Russell produced yet another try assist, but sadly for France, as Ramos sprinted 70 metres to dot down under the posts. Referee Nika Amashukeli, who had an absolutely outstanding Test match, dished out another red card on advice of his TMO and the game resumed as a 14-man-a-side contest.

"We don't have good news: the first diagnosis is a rupture of the inner cruciate ligament," Galthie told a news conference. "You know the protocol for this type ...

Gael Fickou gave the defending champions a bonus point in Sunday's clash with a last-minute try to add to those of Romain Ntamack, Ethan Dumortier and Thomas ...

Some brilliant moves, however, brought Dumortier on the cusp of a fifth try for France, but the winger made a poor choice in front of the line. Scotland reduced the arrears early on in the second half as Jones powered through for his second try as France's strategy was to limit the damage. Russell was more inspired to put the visitors on the scoreboard with a superb pass for centre Jones who touched down between the posts.