Title-holders France survived a late fightback to beat Ireland 26-21, while Wales were convincing 30-15 winners over Scotland in Six Nations rugby today.
Three first-half tries by winger Vincent Clerc and a second-half try from Cedric Heymans had given France a 26-6 lead with half an hour to go before Ireland began to claw their way back into the match at the Stade de France.
A penalty try followed swiftly by David Wallace’s bundled-over effort gave the Irish momentum in an exciting final 20 minutes.
Ireland flyhalf Ronan O’Gara missed a conversion before scoring a penalty that took his team to within five points of the hosts with five minutes to go.
France snuffed out Ireland’s late efforts and held on to remain unbeaten in this year’s tournament after last week’s 27-6 victory over Scotland at Murrayfield.
Wales also recorded a second successive win, helped by winger Shane Williams who scored a try in either half against Scotland at the Millennium Stadium.
Scotland’s points all came from the boot of Chris Paterson, who returned after being dropped to the bench last week to deliver more trademark immaculate goalkicking. He had a 100 per cent success rate at last year’s World Cup and Six Nations.
Wales, still on a high after last week’s comeback win over England, had dominated the first half but wasted several try-scoring opportunities that enabled Scotland to stay within a point of them just after halftime.
When Wales coach Warren Gatland threw on the experienced trio of Stephen Jones, Dwayne Peel and Matthew Rees, their fortunes began to improve.
Jones kicked Wales five points clear before Williams brushed aside several Scottish challenges and touched down in the left corner. Although the try was awarded, television replays appeared to show his foot was in touch.
Jones added the conversion and his penalty made sure Scotland were still searching for their first win.
Scotland await news on their captain Jason White, who went off in the first half with what looked like a head injury.
The action continues on Sunday when England travel to Rome to play Italy.
England, still recovering from their shock 26-19 defeat by Wales last weekend, have injury problems with Mike Tindall, David Strettle, Tom Rees, Lewis Moody and Andrew Sheridan all absent.
They are boosted by news that captain Phil Vickery should be fit to play after recovering from a calf problem.
The World Cup finalists have a good record at the Stadio Flaminio, having averaged 46 points a game in their four previous Six Nations visits. England flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson is just four points away from 1,000 for his country.
Italy have made one change to the starting line-up after their 16-11 defeat by Ireland last week and coach Nick Mallett has said they will need to improve on that showing when “any reasonable team” would have put 40 points on them.
Dave in Dublin (or Rome)
Guest
On a weekend break in Rome (where england were playing today) and got to watch the ireland france match in an Irish pub with a motley clientele of English, French, Irish, American and even the odd Italian. France were sensational in the first half. Running the ball from everywhere and crafting three tries out of sheer blinding pace. Amazing to think that Vincent Clerc, scorer of all three first half tries, was actually dropped from the team as France continue to experiment post world cup and only got back in when his chosen replacement cried off with injury. France demolished the Irish line out too, but surprisingly, their scrum was pants. They went backwards at a rate of knots, conceding one penalty try after repeated infringements at a 5m scrum and a mauled over try which they were unable to stop. It showed that france could win a grand slam this year, despite throwing in a lot of new young players and experimenting. But the Irish comeback, which left them hammering at the french line while only one score behind also showed that for all their razzle dazzle, if France can't keep it up for 80 minutes, somebody will do them. I fancy the welsh to in cardiff in the last match.