By Reuters
Ireland underlined their status as the world’s number one team as they overwhelmed defending champions France 32-19 on Saturday in a fantastic Six Nations match that absolutely lived up to its billing, delivering wonderful tries and relentless quality.
It was the first time in Five and Six Nations history that the world’s two top-ranked teams had gone head to head but Ireland looked superior for most of the match as they ended France’s 14-game unbeaten run and also ended the visitors’ three-game winning run against Ireland.
Caelan Doris of Ireland breaks with the ball.Credit:Getty
Anyone doubting Ireland’s claim to be the best team in the world, on the back of their series win in New Zealand last year, will struggle to make an argument after yet another performance that showed their wonderful mix of attacking speed and intensity and utterly committed and organised defence.
“It was a huge game and right to be billed that way,” said Ireland coach Andy Farrell. “We can be unbelievably proud of it. The fight we showed was astonishing at times.
“The spirit was great, we played some good stuff in the first half and probably should have had some more points. That’s not being greedy as we got a bonus point. France are a world class side who are so dangerous but playing here we expect to go out and perform and win.”
Ireland were on the board first with a cleverly made try for fullback Hugo Keenan but the visitors hit back in classic French style. After a pass went to ground in their own 22, France looked in danger but regathered and surged forward in a thrilling counter-attack that ended with Damian Penaud scoring.
Ireland regained the lead with an extraordinary finish by James Lowe. Knowing he was about to be tackled by Penaud, the winger dived up and over, simultaneously reaching out one-handed to somehow squeeze the ball just inside the line.
France prop Uini Atonio was then sinbinned, and was somewhat lucky to escape a red for a high hit, and Ireland took immediate advantage as the pack forced prop Andrew Porter, earning his 50th cap, over the line.
James Lowe scores a spectacular try.Credit:Getty
Ireland looked set for a fourth with Mack Hansen almost at the line only for scrumhalf Antoine Dupont to show incredible strength to wrestle him away.
It was typical of France’s committed defence and they stayed in touch with three Thomas Ramos penalties, though Johnny Sexton popped one over to make it 22-16 after one of the best 40 minutes the competition has seen for years.
A penalty for replacement flyhalf Ross Byrne and a drop goal by Ramos made it 25-19 with 20 minutes remaining but though France had more possession, they struggled to create scoring opportunities against the superbly-drilled Irish defence.
Ireland then pushed again, with a relentless series of attacks that ended after 19 phases with man of the match Number Eight Caelan Doris providing a brilliant offload for Garry Ringrose to go over for the bonus-point earning fourth try.
France coach Fabien Galthie said: “We were overwhelmed in important moments. We were close for a long time but could not bridge that gap and the Irish managed to keep us in our half.
“We have to admit that the best team won and this game will give us a lot to analyse and keep us ambitious.”
Ireland will expect to make it three out of three when they visit Italy in two weeks, while France host Scotland.
Fantastic Finn helps Scotland to record 35-7 win over Wales
Scotland flyhalf Finn Russell was at his creative best in a crushing 35-7 bonus-point win over Wales in the Six Nations at Murrayfield on Saturday, a record victory in the contest.
It was also the first time since 1996 that Scotland had won their opening two matches in the competition.
Scotland’s Blair Kinghorn, centre, celebrates scoring a try.Credit:PA
Hooker George Turner, replacement fullback Blair Kinghorn and number eight Matt Fagerson added to a brace from wing Kyle Steyn as Scotland ensured it would not be a third year running in which they beat England in the opener but then lost to Wales.
The Welsh dominated territory in the first half but their numerous visits to the Scotland 22 failed to provide points with their only try in the game via hooker and captain Ken Owens.
Scotland are second in the Six Nations table with 10 points from their two games, only behind Ireland on points difference, while Wales have yet to break their duck as the return of coach Warren Gatland has failed to change their fortunes so far.
It was a first win for the Scots over Wales in Edinburgh since 2017, having lost five of the previous six meetings at all venues, and beat their previous record winning margin of 25 points set 99 years ago in 1924.
Wales have conceded over30 points in both Six Nations games this year.Credit:PA
“It was a great game and a great result,” Russell said at the post-match presentation. “We knew we had struggled to back up the first game (in the past). I was just doing my job out there, making the other boys look good.
“You can see the continuity in the squad, the boys are on the same page and that helped us attack like we did today. The defence also shut them out so a good performance all round.”
It was the second week in a row that Wales started slowly in the opening 20 minutes and they again struggled on their own lineout, adding to the mounting list of concerns for Gatland.
After two Russell penalties, Scotland scored their opening try as Turner burst clear from a driving maul and showed good strength to get the ball down under pressure from two defenders.
Wales had 70% of the territory in the first half and stayed in the game as Owens barged over from a driving maul. They trailed 13-7 at the break, with wing Rio Dyer dropping the ball with the tryline gaping on the stoke of halftime.
Scotland turned up the heat in the second period with Russell taking charge as he controlled the game.
He laid on two tries for Steyn, first with a brilliant offload in the tackle and then an intelligent cross-field kick that was perfect for the wing to dot down.
Russell had a hand in the next two scores as well, another kick providing the attacking impetus for Kinghorn to go over before his long, looping pass was perfect for Fagerson to run onto and score.
“We had a lot of changes in the pack and the boys showed the potential of where we want to go,” an upbeat Owens said.
“We had a good first-half performance, delivered everything we spoke about. Second half we had back-to-back errors and put pressure on ourselves. It allowed them to come at us.
“It is early days with a new coaching staff and new players coming in. Hopefully we can turn the corner against England (on Feb. 25). We believe in what we are trying to achieve.”
