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Last weekend saw the completion of Round 3 in the Six Nations Championship with Italy, Wales and Ireland emerging the victors.
The Scotland-Italy match at Murrayfield was Vern Cotter’s third attempt to put some points on the league table in this year’s competition. But the Scots were undone by an Italian side that has started to score tries and are gaining in confidence despite their opening high-margin losses to Ireland and England.
Italy generally give up the most points in their second round match, and they did so again versus England, conceding six tries. What some people focussed on was that England also conceded three tries to the Italians, who were full value for their scores.
Scotland, perhaps, should have taken more notice. They were ahead in the 70th minute 19-15 with penalties leading the way along with an intercept try. The Italians, recognising that their first-choice kicker Kelly Haimona was never going to win them the match with his abysmal accuracy, dotted down two tries.
In the final minute, Italy poured forward again, and after hammering Scotland on their line, eventually won a penalty try that was easily converted to win it 22-19.
Italy now have the second highest try total in the Championship with six, and are off the bottom rung of the ladder. Next up they have France at home in Rome. With the way Philippe Saint-Andre’s men are playing, don’t bet against Italy adding to their try and points total.
France are suffering badly under Saint-Andre’s coaching, and except for a brief spell in the second half they were decidedly second best to Wales in Paris. The Welsh picked themselves up after their loss to England and a stuttering 26-23 win against Scotland to emerge 20-13 victors over France. The win put them back in the hunt for the Championship title, assuming Ireland could defeat England the following day in Dublin.
Ireland duly delivered at Lansdowne Road, pummelling the English back three with high balls and hard, fast chasing. Johnny Sexton was his usual imperial self, nailing all but one of his kicks and giving his opposite number, George Ford, a harsh lesson in game management.
However, it was his half-back partner, Conor Murray, who was the real star of the show. His pinpoint kicking from the base of the scrum kept England on the back foot, and the Irish forwards moving.
It was his presence of mind to spot an opportunity in the second half, after Ireland had won a penalty, to try and kick into the corner for the onrushing Robbie Henshaw. Henshaw and England’s fullback Alex Goode rose high for the ball, but Henshaw won out and managed to dot down before being pushed over the goal-line.
At 19-3, Ireland were firmly in the driving seat, and even with the unexpected departure of Sexton with a slight hamstring strain they were able to hold firm for the inevitable English onslaught in the last 10 minutes. It finished 19-9 and left Ireland on course for a Grand Slam. Joe Schmidt looked reasonably happy but said Ireland had more work to do.
Schmidt and Gatland will now go head-to-head in Round 4 when Ireland have to travel to the Millennium. No doubt the Welsh will be itching to give their Irish visitors a tough welcome.
For all that, the Welsh stadium has been a happy hunting ground for Ireland, with their provincial teams winning the Heineken Cup final twice, as well as defeating Wales in 2009 for the Grand Slam.
The defending champions have played Wales 15 times since the start of the Six Nations, with their records standing at 15 won and five lost. Five of those victories have come in Cardiff.
If Gatland can rouse his troops for another victory, then Wales, Ireland and England will head into the final round with three wins each and seeking to win the Championship on points difference. Wales will have Italy in Rome, then Ireland play Scotland in Murrayfield, with the grand finale featuring England-France at Twickenham.
No doubt the broadcasters, Welsh, English and neutral fans will be hoping for such an outcome. Schmidt, O’Connell and the Irish squad have other ideas, however, and will be aiming to put another Welsh notch on their Six Nations belt come March 14.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.