Six Nations: talking points from the fourth round of matches

Six Nations champions England can thank Manu Tuilagi’s late intervention and Wales’ ponderous early efforts, France are still capable of spoiling the grand slam party, and calls for Italy to be relegated are not entirely fair A day of discovery and breakthrough and near breakdown. Maro Itoje and George Kruis were outstanding, individually and as a pair, and Twickenham could break into song early, so tight was the home team’s grip. Roll back the years; the pack was mighty and the backs were flowing. What could possibly go wrong? Nothing in the end, but this was a scramble to the finish, a reduc…