Guinness Six Nations 2024 | Recap Round 3

Ireland Edges Closer to Six Nations Grand Slam with Gritty Victory Over Wales in Dublin

Ireland inched closer to a consecutive Six Nations Grand Slam with a hard-fought bonus-point victory against a determined Welsh team in Dublin.

The match began with Ireland’s Dan Sheehan and James Lowe scoring, putting Ireland ahead 17-0 by halftime. Wales’s chances improved after receiving a penalty try and Ireland’s Tadhg Beirne received a sin-bin early in the second half.

However, Ciaran Frawley’s try calmed Irish nerves, and Beirne later secured the bonus point. This win ties Ireland with England’s record of 11 straight Six Nations wins and keeps them on track for another Grand Slam, a feat last achieved by France in 1998.

Wales, facing their third consecutive loss, showed resilience, especially in the second half, but couldn’t significantly reduce the deficit.

Despite a slow start, Ireland’s scrum dominance soon led to Sheehan’s try. Lowe later added another try, breaking through Wales’s tough defense. Ireland’s 18-match home winning streak continued.

Wales, disappointed with their third loss, showed promise in the second half, contrasting their inability to challenge Ireland in the first. They gained momentum after a penalty try was awarded due to Beirne’s foul.

Ireland upped their game in response, with Frawley scoring a crucial try. Beirne redeemed himself by scoring later, preparing Ireland for their upcoming match against England in Twickenham.

Line-ups:

IRELAND

Frawley; Nash, Henshaw, Aki, Lowe; Crowley, Gibson-Park; Porter, Sheehan, Furlong; McCarthy, Beirne; O’Mahony (capt), Van der Flier, Doris.

Replacements: Kelleher, Healy, Jager, Ryan, Baird, Conan, Murray, McCloskey.

WALES

Wales: Winnett; Adams, North, Tompkins, Dyer; Costelow, Tomos Williams; G Thomas, Dee, Assiratti, Jenkins (capt), Beard, Mann, Reffell, Wainwright.

Replacements: Elias, Domachowski, D Lewis, Rowlands, M Martin, Hardy, I Lloyd, Grady.
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)

Man of the Mach: Bundee Aki (Ireland)

Stats:

Ireland (17) 31
Try: Sheehan (21′), Lowe (32′), Frawley (67′), Beirne (80’+2)
Conversion: Crowley (22′, 33′, 68′, 80’+3)
Penalty: Crowley (7′)

Wales (0) 7
Try: Penalty try (43′)

Van der Merwe’s Hat-Trick Leads Scotland to Historic Calcutta Cup Victory Over England

Duhan van der Merwe made history as the first Scotland player to score a hat-trick in the Calcutta Cup, driving his team to a momentous 4th consecutive Six Nations triumph against England at Murrayfield.

His extraordinary performance included three tries, outshining George Furbank and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso’s first tries for England. Finn Russell’s flawless kicking further solidified Scotland’s position in a match marked by errors from both sides.

Scotland and England now both have two wins in three games, with Scotland set to face Italy and England preparing for a match against Ireland.

This victory marks Scotland’s first quartet of consecutive wins against England since 1896, under the reign of Queen Victoria, enhancing Gregor Townsend’s impressive record as head coach against England.

The game began shakily for Scotland, trailing 10-0 within the first 15 minutes due to numerous mistakes. However, Van der Merwe’s dynamic play, starting with a powerful first try and a stunning second, turned the tide.

His third try early in the second half, following a strategic play by Cam Redpath and Russell, sealed his hat-trick. Russell’s three penalties and conversions contributed to Scotland’s dominance.

Despite receiving a yellow card for a reckless tackle, player-of-the-match Van der Merwe ended the game celebrating with his teammates.

England, led by Jamie George, who showed commendable spirit following personal loss, had a strong start but couldn’t maintain momentum.

Furbank’s early try and Ford’s composed drop-goal were highlights, but Scotland’s defense held strong, only conceding a late try to Feyi-Waboso.

Line-ups:

SCOTLAND

15-Kinghorn, 14-Steyn, 13-Jones, 12-Tuipulotu, 11-Van der Merwe, 10-Russell (co-capt), 9-White; 1-Schoeman, 2-Turner, 3-Fagerson, 4-Gilchrist, 5-Cummings, 6-Ritchie, 7-Darge (co-capt), 8-Dempsey

Replacements: 16-Ashman, 17-Hepburn, 18-Millar-Mills, 19-Skinner, 20-Christie, 21-Horne, 22-Healy, 23-Redpath

ENGLAND

15-Furbank, 14-Freeman, 13-Slade, 12-Lawrence, 11-Daly; 10-Ford, 9-Care; 1-Genge, 2- George (capt), 3-Cole, 4-Itoje, Chessum, Roots, Underhill, 8-Earl

Replacements: 16-Dan, 17-Marler, 18-Stuart, 19-Martin, 20-Cunningham-South, 21-Spencer, 22-Smith, 23-Feyi-Waboso

Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)

Man of the Mach: Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland)

Stats:

Scotland (17) 30
Try: van der Merwe (20′, 30′, 45′)
Conversion: Russell (21′, 31′, 47′)
Penalty: Russell (35′, 58′, 66′)

England (13) 21

Try: Furbank (5′), Feyi-Waboso (67′)
Conversion: Ford (7′)
Penalty: Ford (15′, 50′)
Drop-goal: Ford (37′)

Italy’s Last-Minute Heartbreak: Garbisi’s Missed Penalty Denies Historic Six Nations Win in France

Paolo Garbisi’s last-minute penalty struck the post, preventing Italy from securing their first Six Nations win in France. Garbisi’s rushed penalty, following the ball falling off the tee, marked a dramatic end to the match.

Italy nearly clinched victory with Ange Capuozzo’s late try and Garbisi’s challenging conversion, equalizing against a 14-man French team. French centre Jonathan Danty received a red card for a high tackle on Juan Ignacio Brex, reflecting France’s frustrating first half.

Despite early French dominance and a try from Charles Ollivon, Italy stayed competitive, with Martin Page-Relo and Garbisi scoring penalties. The Azzurri, more energized in the second half with a player advantage, came close to making history in the game’s final moments.

The draw extends Italy’s Six Nations struggles, with their last win being in Cardiff two years ago, their sole victory in the last 45 attempts. France, still recovering from their World Cup disappointment, lacked cohesion in attack, despite winning at Murrayfield previously.

The French team, affected by Danty’s dismissal and Matthieu Jalibert’s injury, struggled in the second half. Italy capitalized on this disarray, with Capuozzo scoring a try, and Garbisi narrowly missing the decisive penalty.

Italy remains at the bottom of the standings and will face Scotland next, while France, currently fourth, is set to play Wales.

Line-ups

France

Ramos; Penaud, Fickou, Danty, Lebel, Jalibert, Lucu; Baille, Mauvaka, Atonio, Woki, Tuilagi, Boudehent, Ollivon (capt), Cros.

Replacements: Marchand, Taofifenua, Aldegheri, Taofifenua, Roumat, Abadie, Le Garrec, Moefana.

Italy

Capuozzo; Menoncello, Brex, Mori, Ioane, Garbisi, Page-Relo; Fischetti, Nicotera, Zilocchi, Cannone, Ruzza, Favretto, Lamaro (capt), Vintcent.

Replacements: Lucchesi, Spagnolo, Ferrari, Canali, Zambonin, Zuliani, Varney, Marin.

Stats

France (10) 13
Try: Ollivon (7′)
Conversion: Ramos (7′)
Penalty: Ramos (14′, 45′)
Red Card: Danty (40’+1)

Italy (3) 13
Try: Capuozzo (70′)
Conversion: Garbisi (71′)
Penalty: Page-Relo (40’+4), Garbisi (61′)

Referee: Christophe Ridley (England)

Man of the match:  Tommaso Menoncello (Italy)

STANDINGS

Pos	Team	Pl	W	D	L	B	Pts
1	Ireland	3	3	0	0	3	15
2	Scotland	3	2	0	1	1	9
3	England	3	2	0	1	0	8
4	France	3	1	1	1	0	6
5	Wales	3	0	0	3	3	3
6	Italy	3	0	1	2	1	3

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