In a dramatic 2024 Six Nations clash, France secured a…
Guinness Six Nations 2023 | Recap Round 1
France was given a scare as they managed to cling onto a 29-24 triumph over Italy in Rome.
The visitors jumped out to an early advantage when Thibaud Flament crossed the goal line in the fifth minute. Thomas Ramos and Ethan Dumortier added two more tries, as the defending champions looked very secure in the first half.
Italy kept up – with a try from Ange Capuozzo plus three penalty kicks from Tommaso Allan – to be down by 5 points at the half.
In the second half, Italy was given a penalty try when a rolling maul was prevented from reaching the line.
The home side then went ahead when fly-half Allan knocked over his fourth successful penalty kick. However, substitute Matthieu Jalibert reconstructed France’s lead with a bonus-point try in the 68th minute.
Highlights
A resurgent Italy pushed hard in the last 10 minutes, but they couldn’t find the critical breakthrough. It is now the 10th straight Guinness Six Nations win for France over Italy.
Round 2 of the Guinness Six Nations will see Italy play England at Twickenham on Sunday (12.02.23, 3 PM), and France face Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Friday (11.02.23, 4.45 PM
Line-ups
Italy: Capuozzo; Bruno, Brex, Morisi, Menoncello; Allan, Varney; Fischetti, Nicotera, Ferrari, Cannone, Ruzza, Negri, Lamaro (capt), Cannone.
Replacements: Bigi, Zani, Ceccarelli, Iachizzi, Pettinelli, Zuliani, Fusco, Padovani.
France: Ramos; Penaud, Fickou, Moefana, Dumortier; Ntamack, Dupont (capt); Baille, Marchand, Atonio, Flament, Willemse, Jelonch, Ollivon, Alldritt.
Replacements: Barlot, Wardi, Falatea, Taofifenua, Lavault, Macalou, Le Garrec, Jalibert.
Referee: Matthew Carley (England)
Attendance: 41,232
Man of the Match: A. Dupont (France)
Scotland beat England in the latest Guinness Six Nations match and now have possession of the Calcutta Cup for the fifth time in six years.
Even though England had a 23-19 lead over Scotland with only 15 minutes remaining in the game, they lost the match due to a try scored by Scotland’s Duhan van der Merwe.
England’s new head coach, Steve Borthwick, has only been in charge for one game and already faces familiar issues, such as the balance of the midfield.
With Wales up next in the championship, Scotland’s captain Jamie Ritchie is confident that his team can have a good run at the championship at this point.
England was aware they should have won, but Borthwick spoke of “having to go through some pain,” indicating that there may be more losses to come. England’s game plan was to stop Finn Russell, but he proved too tricky to contain.
Highlights
Despite England’s good start, Scotland took the lead and held on until the end. The match had its ups and downs, but Scotland ultimately came out on top with Van der Merwe scoring the winning try.
England will be facing Italy next Sunday (12.02.23, 3 PM) in yet another encounter at Twickenham, while the Scottish team will go head-to-head with Warren Gatland’s Welsh side on Saturday (11.02.23, 4.45 PM) at Murrayfield.
Line-ups:
England: Steward; Malins, Marchant, Farrell (capt), Hassell-Collins; Smith, Van Poortvliet; Genge, George, Sinckler, Itoje, Chessum, Ludlam, B Curry, Dombrandt.
Replacements: Walker, M Vunipola, Cole, Isiekwe, Earl, Youngs, Lawrence, Watson.
Scotland: Hogg; Steyn, Jones, Tuipulotu, Van der Merwe; Russell, White; Schoeman, Turner, Nel; R Gray, Gilchrist; Ritchie (capt), Crosbie, M Fagerson.
Replacements: Brown, Bhatti, Berghan, J Gray, Dempsey, Horne, Kinghorn, Harris.
Referee: Paul Williams
Attendance: 81,000
Man of the Mach: D. Van der Merwe
Ireland beat Wales in the first Guinness Six Nations match, despite some Welsh improvement after halftime, highlighting the challenge ahead for Warren Gatland as coach and the strength of the Irish team.
Wales’s performance against Ireland in their first Guinness Six Nations game under Warren Gatland’s second stint as coach was a one-sided affair, highlighting the challenges Gatland faces in turning the team around.
Wales struggled under previous coach Wayne Pivac, and the state of Welsh rugby is also in turmoil due to allegations of bullying, sexism, and racism. Ireland, the world’s top-ranked team, proved too strong for Wales in the Principality Stadium, scoring three quick tries in the opening 27 minutes.
Despite improved play from Wales in the second half, the contest was effectively over by then. Ireland’s superiority was clear, but Gatland did not make excuses.
Gatland will have to make changes, including personnel, after Alun Wyn Jones was ruled out of next week’s game in Scotland due to a head injury. Ireland, meanwhile, came out with a significant win, showing their strength and depth as a team.
For Ireland, this was a significant win. Despite the absence of key players such as Jamison Gibson-Park, Tadhg Furlong, and Robbie Henshaw, the team underlined their strong form.
Highlights
Conor Murray, Stuart McCloskey, and Hugo Keenan were impressive, with Ross Byrne making an impact after replacing Johnny Sexton. This win marked Ireland’s first win in the Guinness Six Nations since 2013 and solidified their status as a strong contender in the tournament.
In a week’s time, Ireland welcomes France in Dublin (11.02.23, 4.45 PM), while Wales travels to Edinburgh to face Scotland (11.02.23, 4.45 PM).
Line-ups:
Wales: L Williams; Adams, North, Hawkins, Dyer; Biggar, T Williams; G Thomas, Owens (capt), Francis, Beard, AW Jones, Morgan, Tipuric, Faletau.
Replacements: Baldwin, Carre, Lewis, Jenkins, Reffell, Webb, O Williams, Cuthbert.
Ireland: Keenan; Hansen, Ringrose, McCloskey, Lowe; Sexton (capt), Murray; Porter, Sheehan, Bealham, Beirne, Ryan, O’Mahony, Van der Flier, Doris
Replacements: Herring, Healy, O’Toole, Henderson, Conan, Casey, R Byrne, Aki.
Referee: Karl Dickson (ENG)
Attendance: 74,500
Man of the Mach: H. Keenan
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