Guinness Six Nations 2023 | Recap Round 3

Ireland beat Italy 20:34 in Round 3 of Guinness Six Nations 2023

Ireland’s Grand Slam hopes to remain alive after a hard-fought victory over Italy in Rome.

The game was far from straightforward for Andy Farrell’s side, who were heavy favorites going into it.

James Lowe had a try ruled out at the start of the game, but seconds later, Ireland responded with captain James Ryan powering over the line.

The game then sparked into life as Lorenzo Cannone powered down the field, leading to Stephen Varney scoring Italy’s opening try. Hugo Keenan hit the right response by finding space to score a try himself.

Highlights

A try from Mack Hansen gave Ireland a 24-10 lead after he put daylight between the two teams.

However, a Bundee Aki pass was intercepted right at the break, with Pierro Bruno running the length of the field to score a try, leaving Ireland leading 24-17 at the break.

The second half was less exciting, with Ireland and Italy trading penalties, and a Bundee Aki try being disallowed.

In an error-strewn performance, Ireland had to dig deep, and the introduction of Conor Murray proved to be a game-changer, as he set up a Mack Hansen try, helping Ireland to a 14-point victory.

In Round 4 of the Guinness Six Nations, Ireland makes the trip to face Scotland while Italy welcomes Wales in Rome.

Line-ups:

Italy: Capuozzo; Padovani, Brex, Menoncello, Bruno; Garbisi, Varney; Fischetti, Nicotera, Ferrari, Cannone, Ruzza, Negri, Lamaro (capt), Cannone.

Replacements: Bigi, Zani, Riccioni, Iachizzi, Pettinelli, Fusco, Morisi, Allan.

Ireland: Keenan; Hansen, Aki, McCloskey, Lowe; R Byrne, Casey; Porter, Kelleher, Bealham; Henderson, Ryan (capt); Doris, Van der Flier, Conan.

Replacements: D Sheehan, Kilcoyne, O’Toole, Baird, O’Mahony, Murray, Crowley, O’Brien.

Referee: Mike Adamson

Man of the Mach: Mack Hansen (Ireland)

Stats:

Italy (17) 20
Try: Varney (7′), Bruno (41′)
Conversion: Garbisi (8′, 42′)
Penalty: Garbisi (19′, 56′)

Ireland (24) 34
Try: Ryan (3′), Keenan (13′), Aki (20′), Hansen (35′, 71′)
Conversion: Byrne (14′, 22′, 72′)
Penalty: Byrne (65′)

Wales suffers misfortune after England wins scrappy Six Nations encounter

England secured a nervy 20-10 victory over Wales in the Six Nations on Saturday, with tries from Anthony Watson, Kyle Sinckler, and Ollie Lawrence.

The match highlighted the work that both teams need to do to become competitive in the championship. Wales’ preparation for the game was hampered by a week of player strikes over contracts and other issues.

Despite being five points behind, Wales remained in the fight until the last five minutes when Lawrence’s try secured a deserved win for England.

Highlights

This was their first win in Cardiff since 2017 and their second successive Six Nations victory. Wales, on the other hand, have yet to earn a point in the championship, having lost all three matches.

Ireland leads the standings with 15 points, followed by Scotland and England, both with 10 points. England dominated the match, defending strongly and looking like the more dangerous side, but struggled to hold onto the ball in the second half.

For the Welsh, it continues in two weeks against Italy, while England hosts France in London.

Line-ups:

Wales: Halfpenny; Adams, Grady, Hawkins, Rees-Zammit; O Williams, T Williams; G Thomas, Owens (capt), Francis, Beard, AW Jones, Tshiunza, Tipuric, Faletau.

Replacements: Brown, Bhatti, WP Nel, J. Gray, Dempsey, Horne, Kinghorn, Harris

England: Steward; Malins, Slade, Lawrence, Watson; Farrell (capt), Van Poortvliet; Genge, George, Sinckler; Itoje, Chessum; Ludlam, Willis, Dombrandt.

Replacements: Walker, M Vunipola, Cole, Lawes, B Curry, Mitchell, M Smith, Arundell.

Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)

Man of the Mach: Freddie Steward (England)

Stats:

Wales (3) 10
Try: Rees-Zammit (41′)
Conversion: Halfpenny (42′)
Penalty: Halfpenny (22′)

England (8) 20
Try: Watson (19′), Sinckler (45′), Lawrence (75′)
Conversion: Farrell (45′)
Penalty: Farrell (10′)

Fighting Scots lose to France in a high-class encounter

Scotland suffered their first defeat in the 2023 Six Nations Championship against France, despite a valiant effort after conceding two early tries and having Grant Gilchrist sent off in the eighth minute.

The match, which marked the 100th meeting of these sides, was played out amid a riot of colour and noise in the Stade de France, with a blistering rendition of La Marseillaise whipping the crowd into a frenzy before kick-off.

The hosts got their noses in front in the fifth minute and never relinquished their lead, eventually winning 32-21 and outscoring the Scots by four tries to three.

Scotland’s confidence was high following bonus-point victories over England and Wales, but hopes of winning their opening three games in the championship for the first time in 27 years were undone in the opening minutes.

Highlights

Scotland showed composure, courage, and no little skill as they attempted to retrieve the situation, but France’s early lead proved too big. Huw Jones continued his fine form with a try in each half, but France notched three in the first 18 minutes through Romain Ntamack, Ethan Dumortier, and Thomas Ramos, the latter after he intercepted an overly ambitious pass from Finn Russell.

Russell’s converted try in the 67th minute brought Scotland back to within four points, but it was the closest they got, and Gael Fickou’s late score snuffed out any hope of a comeback. Scotland’s Six Nations title challenge is not over, and they now face another huge match at home to Ireland on March 12.

Despite the defeat, Scotland’s performance was commendable, considering they played with only 14 men for the majority of the match. Their next match against Ireland will be crucial, as they seek to keep their title hopes alive.

Meanwhile, France’s win keeps them in contention for the Six Nations title, with a difficult match against England next on their schedule.

Line-ups:

France: Ramos, Penaud, Fickou, Moefana, Dumortier; Ntamack, Dupont (capt); Baille, Marchand, Haouas, Flament, Willemse, Jelonch, Ollivon, Alldritt.

Replacements: Barlot, Wardi, Falatea, Taofifenua, Cros, Macalou, Couilloud, Jalibert.

Scotland: Hogg, Steyn, Jones, Tuipulotu, Van der Merwe; Russell, White; Schoeman, Turner, Z Fagerson, R Gray, Gilchrist, Ritchie (capt), Watson, M Fagerson

Replacements: Brown, Bhatti, Nel, J Gray, Skinner, Dempsey, Price, Kinghorn

Replacements: D Sheehan, Kilcoyne, O’Toole, Baird, O’Mahony, Murray, Crowley, O’Brien.

Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)

Man of the Mach: Gaël Fickou (France)

Stats:

France (22) 32
Try: Ntamack (5′), Dumortier (8′), Ramos (19′), Fickou (80′)
Conversion: Ramos (6′, 20′, 82′)
Penalty: Ramos (36′, 58′)
Red Card: Haouas (11′)

Scotland (7) 21
Try: Jones (26′, 48′), Russell (68′)
Conversion: Russell (26′, 49′, 69′)
Red Card: Gilchrist (7′)