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The Breakdown | Six Nations verdict: dominant Ireland and super Dupont take the plaudits

A record 91 tries, a match for the ages, Italy’s ‘Florence Dallaglio’ shining, and an England side who ‘weren’t good at anything’France may not have won the title but, once again, they possessed the best player in the tournament. Antoine Dupont was so good against England it was almost laughable: sharp, clever, strong, able to kick off both feet … if he looked slightly weary at the start of the championship, he was back to his best by the end of it. Damian Penaud, Jonathan Danty, Hugo Keenan and Caelan Doris also deserve honourable mentions. Continue reading...

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Ireland devour rub of the green after Steward’s slip settles the nerves | Luke McLaughlin

England caught Ireland out in the opening exchanges but any doubts were snuffed out after the unfortunate red cardThe rain rolled across Dublin in mid-morning. A timely cooling blanket, perhaps, to regulate the collective temperature on this unique weekend in the Irish capital. It felt as if you could sink your teeth into the sheer excitement, anticipation and nerves of the occasion; Ireland’s opportunity to clinch a grand slam on home soil for the first time.With St Patrick’s Day falling on Friday, a dominant display by the Irish contingent at the Cheltenham Festival and a grand slam simply waiting to be sealed and delivered, the mood around the city had been, shall we say, buoyant. As one distinguished Irish writer...

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Russell holds key for Scotland to topple Ireland and set up title tilt

Talismanic fly-half’s air of maturity suggests it could be his time to halt opponents and help ensure a fitting championship finaleIn a not unfamiliar plotline Scotland enter the penultimate round of the Six Nations desperate for a win. Refreshingly, this time such a result would mean not the avoidance of a wooden spoon but a tilt at their first championship of the century – a first Six Nations title, full stop.Perhaps desperate is the wrong word then. Would-be champions are never desperate for anything. If Scotland want to convince as such, they will be using bold words, such as “confident” and “ambitious”, and they must play accordingly at Murrayfield on Sunday afternoon. Continue reading...

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Bortwick’s call on Smith proves abject failure as England are drowned out | Gerard Meagher

The fly-half debate will rage on after Marcus Smith failed in conditions that George Ford would have been better suited forThere is something very English about fly-halves being hung out to dry in the rain. England did not lose this match because of Marcus Smith, rather they were thumped by a fabulous France team who ruthlessly exposed the limits of Steve Borthwick’s side and gave an exhibition in how to handle the heavens opening. Still, the cold hard facts are that Smith did not deliver the statement performance he was expected to and England’s fly-half debate rages on. The biggest call of Borthwick’s tenure to date can unequivocally be called the most damning of failures.All the more so when you...

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France match is chance for Borthwick and Smith to show fresh vision | Ugo Monye

Picking a more adventurous fly-half opens up the chance to find a new gear in attack that’s needed to match the world’s bestSteve Borthwick is not a coach who makes statements or grand gestures for the sake of it. He is always someone who leads with his actions rather than his words. But his team selection against France gives off a clear message. It is an acknowledgment that the game we have seen England developing in this Six Nations is not enough to win a World Cup.It is not enough, either, to beat the teams ranked second and first in the world. A solid set piece, a solid defence and kicking gameplan is all well and good. But that does...

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