Sunday Snippets

Six Nations Round-Up: The 2015 edition of the RBS Six Nations has been blown wide open by Warren Gatland’s Welsh troops, after they defeated Ireland 23-16 in the game of the tournament to date. An enthralling encounter from minute 1 to 80, Wales ran out deserved winners after a monumental defensive effort, consisting of 289 tackles, and a clinical approach in attack. Dominating their visitors to the Millennium Stadium in the physicality stakes, Wales raced into a 12-0 lead after the opening quarter, courtesy of some intense pressure and an ill-disciplined Irish performance. Despite seeing captain Sam Warburton go to the bin midway through the opening half following Wayne Barnes losing his patience with both sides at the breakdown, Wales went in at the break six points to the good at 15-9. The second half continued in much the same vein, with both sides playing an exciting brand of rugby and bringing an intensity unseen so far this tournament. Midway through the second forty, a 30 phase effort from Ireland was held out by the hosts, in what was arguably the game’s critical moment. In what felt like a try for the home crowd and players alike, Wales stoic efforts will no doubt have pleased the onlooking Shaun Edwards, Minutes later, the game would be all but sealed, after Scott Williams ran an arching run beyond the Irish defence to dot down for Wales’ first try of the game, having spotted a gap vacated by the rushed defence of Jamie Heaslip. Despite the inevitable Irish comeback, including a deserved penalty try at the maul, Wales hung on to the dying moments and while some may question the final decision of referee Wayne Barnes at a 5m scrum, the 2 points went to the better side on the day. 

Having seen Ireland go down earlier in the day, Stuart Lancaster’s England knew a big win over Scotland in the Calcutta Cup would have put one hand on the Six Nations trophy before next weekend’s grand finale. However, despite their attacking prowess throughout, the hosts at Twickenham endured a case of white line fever, wasting ample opportunities to run away with a comfortable victory. In what would eventually be a 23-15 win for Lancaster’s charges, tries from Jonathan Joseph, George Ford and Jack Nowell sealed the victory which moves England tot he summit of the Championship based on points difference. All might have been significantly different however, with Scotland emerging from the first 40 with a 3 point lead, courtesy of a clinical performance in the game’s second quarter. An added intensity from the English and a quality attacking performance from flyhalf George Ford, saw the home side over the line with relative ease. With the Championship now likely to come down to points difference, Lancaster will undoubtedly be disappointed with his side’s inability to finish off multiple chances. England welcome France in the final game of the tournament next Saturday, when they will know what exactly is required of them having seen both Wales and Ireland play earlier in the day.

Ryan Sheady