England and Ireland have put a little bit of distance between themselves and the rest at the top of the Six Nations table – but what were they key moments from the second round of fixtures in this year’s competition?
Ireland v Italy
However, we are going to be a little kinder and highlight Conor Murray’s try just inside the quarter hour mark.
It was significant for a couple of reasons. Firstly, Ireland already had a seven-point lead courtesy of Robbie Henshaw’s try and Jonny Sexton’s boot, so this put Joe Schmidt’s men firmly in control early on.
Second, it showed the Irish intent to play with some delightful interchange between Jacob Stockdale and Keith Earls to set Murray away for a really nice score.
Apart from a flaky final twenty minutes, Ireland will be happy with the tune-up this game provided for sterner challenges to come.
England v Wales
Take your pick. Farrell’s vision to release May early on, Launchbury’s offload for May’s brace, the Gareth Anscombe try that never was, and a whole host more – while not the sparkling spectacle we would have wanted the game certainly wasn’t without talking points.
As Wales looked for a late foothold in the game however, England found a try-saving hero who has deep Welsh roots.
Sam Underhill had been a star for the Ospreys before his move to Bath, and the 21-year-old produced a breath-taking last ditch tackle to stop Scott Williams scoring in the corner with the game on a knife edge.
The ground Underhill, a second half replacement, made up to bundle the Scarlets man into touch was incredible as Wales had opened England up with an electric break and some neat hands down the left channel.
After George North had drawn Mike Brown and released Williams, a try looked a formality. Williams may have slid for the line a touch soon but the speed and strength shown by Underhill to get across and roll him into touch a match-winner.
Scotland v France
With both sides coming off opening day defeats, it was likely the loser here would end up in a battle for the Wooden Spoon with Italy. France opened well and bossed long periods of the first half and Teddy Thomas’ brace had them in prime position.
Their defensive shape had not been great at times, but they had shown a spirit that could well have seen them home.
Then half time happened. They came out in the second period and appeared to leave their discipline in the dressing room. Scotland did nothing special to warrant the win but a string of penalties allowed Greig
Laidlaw to keep the scoreboard ticking over, and eventually tip in the home side’s favour.
In all, France shipped 18 second-half points through half a dozen very avoidable penalties.
That leaves their campaign in tatters, with immense pressure now on their next game at home to Italy.
