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This year's edition of the RBS 6 nations kicked off in Paris last weekend and was accompanied by the usual passion and pride that we've come to associate with the Northern Hemisphere's premier rugby competition. TRF takes a look back over what was a hectic weekend of international rugby, with France cruising to a home victory against Italy, England scraping a win in Murrayfield against a blunt Scotland and Leigh Halfpenny securing Wales a hard fought win in Dublin with a last minute penalty against Ireland.
The privilege of getting the tournament underway fell to France and Italy, who played out an entertaining contest in the Stade de France, the French emerging victorious with 30 points to Italy's 12. Dimitri Yachvilli and Kristopher Burton exchanged early penalties before Aurelien Rougerie scored the first try of this year's tournament, cutting through a massive gap in the Italian midfield to give the French a seven point advantage. Italy replied with a penalty before Louis Picamoles and Julien Malzieu combined off the back of a French scrum 5 minutes before half time to work an excellent try – Malzieu beating several defenders in the process.
Both teams exchanged penalties early in the second half before Francois Trinh-Duc and Rougerie showed some nice football skills to allow Vincent Clerc go over for his 32 international try in the 54th minute. That left the score at 25-9 in favour of the hosts, the result being all but a certainty. Tobias Botes kicked Italy's fourth penalty of the day and debutant Wesley Fofana added another try for France to finish of the scoring. While there was always an element of control to France's performance, Italy will take some consolation in their own display, showing more of an attacking edge than we've seen from them in recent years while still competing well up front.
In the weekend's second game, England made the trip north to Edinburgh to take on Scotland at Murrayfield. For the hosts this game represented an ideal opportunity to gain some revenge for their defeat at the hands of the old enemy during the World Cup, especially considering the relative lack of experience in the England side. New England boss Stuart Lancaster made 10 changes to the team that crashed out to France in the World Cup quarter finals, with two debutants in the centres and Captain Chris Robshaw playing only his second game for the national team. It was England who hit the front first in the 23rd minute with Owen Farrell put over a penalty after a breakdown infraction from Scotland. Dan Parks responded in kind and then added another 3 points in the 33rd minute to give the host a narrow 6-3 lead after a drab first half.
That was about as good as it got for the much maligned Parks, who saw his attempted clearance changed down by opposite number Charlie Hodgson early in the second half. Hodgson then collected and went over for the game's only try. Despite dominating possession and territory for the rest of the match, Scotland were unable to break through and impressive English defence, well marshalled by Brad Barritt at 13. Farrell added another penalty in the game's dying minutes to seal the deal for England and heap further woe on Scotland, who now drop out of the top 10 in the IRB rankings as a result. Lancaster will have been impressed with his side's defence and discipline throughout, although their inability to secure good ball for much of the second half could well indicate that his blindside heavy back row wasn't up to the task. For Andy Robinson this game may have been another nail in the coffin. Scotland's inability to threaten the English line was typical of the side for the last number of years and the decision to go with Dan Parks at 10 backfired spectacularly. The performance of David Denton at 8 may be of some small comfort to Scottish fans.
Round one saved the best for last, with Wales and Ireland playing out a dramatic contest in the Aviva Stadium on Sunday. Ireland, no doubt still smarting from the beating inflicted on them by the Welsh at the World Cup, were without talismanic captain Brian O'Driscoll, while Wales were short a number of key players including Gethin Jenkins and Dan Lydiate. It was Ireland who took the early lead, with Johnny Sexton giving the hosts a 3-0 advantage from the kicking tee. Unfortunately for the hosts it wasn't to last, George North going over in the corner for a lovely try on the 8th minute after an excellent pass from Rhys Priestland. Serious questions must be asked of Ireland's defence in that situation, with the Welsh being allowed gain a 5 v 2 numerical advantage on the blindside.
Ireland then seemed to play into Wales' hands for much of the first half, opting to kick away the majority of their possession. It wasn't until the 36th that the hosts registered another score, Tommy Bowe cutting inside and releasing former Ulster teammate Rory Best, who went in under the posts. Sexton added the extras to give Ireland a wholly undeserved 10-5 halftime lead.
Wales got the second half underway without Captain Sam Warburton, forced off through injury at halftime. It was Ireland however who got on the scoreboard first however, Johnny Sexton nailing another penalty. Sexton's opposite number Priestland was to endure a dire day with the boot and on the 53rd minute Leigh Halfpenny took over kicking responsibilities, narrowing Ireland's lead to just 5 points. Minutes later the visitors were in front, George North breaking the Irish line (and Fergus McFadden) to send Jonathan Davies over. Sexton gave Ireland back the lead in the 59th minute with a penalty before the game's main talking point saw Bradley Davies perform an illegal tip tackle on Donnacha Ryan off the ball. Assistant referee Dave Pearson deemed the foul to only warrant a yellow card however, much to the surprise of all in attendance.
Ireland were able to capitalise on their numerical advantage, with Tommy Bowe going over soon after some excellent play from Johnny Sexton and Rob Kearney. The 6 point lead should have been enough for the hosts with only 10 minutes left, however North went over again for Wales to reduce the margin to just one point. A dangerous tackle from Stephen Ferris then gave Halfpenny a chance to snatch victory for Wales, which the young winger took with ease to give Wales a narrow 23-21 victory. The visitors will have been delighted with the performances of Halfpenny, North, Phillips and Tipuric while Ireland will have to take a serious look at themselves after their third straight defeat to Wales.
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