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Six Nations Round 2 – Five Talking Points
Round two of the Six Nations delivered drama, controversy, and plenty to discuss. Here are five talking points emerging from the weekend’s action:
1. England’s Dramatic Turnaround
England bounced back from their opening round defeat to Ireland with a nail-biting victory against France. Elliot Daly’s late try sealed the deal in a game that saw momentum swing back and forth. While questions remain about consistency, England’s resilience and ability to “find a way” to win offers a glimmer of hope for their campaign. As Joe Marler commented:
“To pull it out of the bag – just – it was back and forth, I loved it. The atmosphere was incredible.”
Can they build on this momentum against Scotland?
2. France’s Costly Errors
France’s performance was plagued by uncharacteristic handling errors, squandering several try-scoring opportunities. Shaun Edwards admitted they “just got the dropsies for a day,” a sentiment echoed by captain Antoine Dupont, who lamented their wasted chances. Ronan O’Gara highlighted the “record number of knock-ons” and suggested that even the usually infallible Dupont showed he’s “human.” Will France’s ill-discipline cost them a shot at the title?
3. Ireland’s Grand Slam Hopes Intact
Ireland continued their dominant form with a convincing win over Scotland at Murrayfield. Their performance was described as “ruthless” and “clinical,” with Sam Prendergast impressing in the fly-half role. O’Gara suggested Ireland “had another couple of gears to go up,” highlighting their depth and control. Can anyone stop Ireland’s march towards a Grand Slam?
4. Scotland’s Struggles Against Ireland Continue
Scotland’s losing streak against Ireland extended to 11 games, as they struggled to contain the Irish attack. Despite a brief resurgence after halftime, Scotland ultimately fell short. John Barclay pointed to “unforced errors” and a lack of “attitude” in the first half, while Martin Johnson suggested the scoreline “flattered Scotland.” Can Scotland find a way to overcome their Irish hoodoo?
5. Wales’ Woes Deepen
Wales’ struggles continued with a defeat to Italy, their 14th in a row. James Hook described the performance as lacking “progression,” while Sam Warburton emphasized the need for new players to “step up and own that shirt.” Chris Jones highlighted the “deep-rooted” issues within Welsh rugby, suggesting the problems “go back 10-15 years.” Can Warren Gatland turn things around, or is Wales facing a long period of rebuilding?
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