Scotland’s next task is to improve on the road, Wales show their worth with the ball and France still off the paceIt seems cruel that anyone in Scotland should have to talk about anything other than their victory, but in the hours after the match Gregor Townsend was already thinking about their next Test, away to Ireland. “We’ve got our own issues to deal with,” he said, “we have to show a truer picture of what we’re about when we’re away from home”. Scotland have been a poor side when they’re playing away for a long while now, but those two recent defeats, to England at Twickenham and Wales in Cardiff, were particularly bitter given how much better they’ve become...
The visitors’ showing when it dried up at Twickenham will give hope to Scotland when Eddie Jones’s side visit MurrayfieldIf it rains for the next five weeks, England will be crowned Six Nations champions because Eddie Jones’s side have once again demonstrated they are the best wet-weather team in the world at the moment.As seen against Wales, England had a plan and they executed it perfectly. What impressed me most was how the half-backs – and I include Owen Farrell in that – dropped those kicks in behind the wings and just showed far superior tactical awareness than their opposite numbers throughout. Related: Jonny May’s early tries take England over the line against battling Wales Related: Greig Laidlaw’s nerveless kicking...
Wales have case for moral victory in loss to England, Scotland prepare for ‘Big One’ and Ellie Kildunne’s stock continues to riseOne minute Eddie Jones is using the media to put pressure on opposition captains and fly-halves, the next he is criticising those whom he perceives are giving insufficient credit to himself and some of his players. “You guys tell me Mike Brown can’t play Test rugby … you guys are unbelievable!” he told his BBC 5 Live’s Chris Jones after Saturday’s narrow 12-6 win over Wales. “You’re always criticising him and now he has a good game you’re all on the bandwagon. You guys are better selectors than we are, that’s what you think you are.” Given England have...
The A teams used to provide supporting roles to the main event but also offered valuable international experience to fringe players looking to make the step upAll the best Six Nations championships start with a bang and, encouragingly, this one has been no exception. Duck beneath the headlines, though, and something we all used to take for granted each season is missing. Nobody has made a fuss – the majority have not even noticed – but the longer-term ramifications may yet prove significant.The absent friend? The traditional ’A’ team fixtures which once played supporting roles to the main events on international weekends. It was commonplace, for example, for the Irish Wolfhounds to play on a Friday night in Donnybrook or...
Italy need a pack to complement their impressive youngsters, Scarlets and Wales combine and Johnny Sexton finds a wayOne of the most striking elements of England’s seven-try victory in Rome was the wraparound tactic that set the visitors on the way to their 46-15 success. It has been Johnny Sexton’s signature move for years and George Ford and Owen Farrell have now taken a leaf out of the Irish playbook. Both England’s opening two tries by Anthony Watson involved Ford looping round and helping to create a midfield mismatch with Jonny May also coming at pace off his wing to confuse the defending side still further. Ford may find teams will now be lying in wait for him in future...