Ireland now stand alone in their hunt for the Grand Slam after a dominant Six Nations victory over England in Dublin on Sunday. The race for the title promises to be heated over the final two rounds of fixtures though, with Wales making a return to form in Paris 24 hours previously. Here are five things we learned from the weekend’s action.
Ireland turning their kick and chase into potent attacking weapon
It was apt that the decisive score in Dublin on Sunday was delivered via a cross-field kick and a committed chase and catch from Robbie Henshaw.
Ireland have developed this side of their game to such an extent that opposition sides must be fearful every time they see a player in green launch the ball forward.
The key to its success lies not only in the accuracy of the kicking from the likes of Johnny Sexton and Connor Murray, but also in the nature of the chase.
Under Joe Schmidt, the Irish have become adept at stealing the ball back on their own kicks, with Henshaw, Rob Kearney et al seemingly able to jump higher than their opponents.
In truth they are getting their hands higher than the player they are contesting with, utilising the skills that many picked up when playing Gaelic football as kids.
And it is not only cross-field kicks that are reaping rewards for the men in green, with England feeling the pressure every time a high ball was aimed their way.
Sunday’s result served to confirm Ireland’s reputation as the northern hemisphere’s in-form side, and also Henshaw’s place as Brian O’Driscoll’s anointed successor.
England are a work in progress, but should not get disheartened
The good news for Stuart Lancaster’s side is that they should not have to face Ireland again in a competitive fixture until the latter stages of the World Cup at the earliest.
England were second best virtually from the first whistle at the Aviva Stadium and struggled badly to gain any kind of foothold in the game.
The spotlight may also focus on George Ford’s kicking under pressure, after the fly-half’s jitters from the tee reared their head once again.
However, it was by no means all doom and gloom for the Red Rose in Dublin, and the scoreline should have been given a more favourable complexion as Jack Nowell was denied a try in the final minute thanks to a rather dubious forward pass call.
In the three years since taking over, Lancaster has transformed the way the team play but they are still very much a work in progress.
Injuries have not been kind recently either, and Sunday could and should be put down as an inexperienced side coming up against a well-drilled winning machine.
That said, with the clock ticking until the start of the World Cup on September 18, England are still undoubtedly moving in the right direction.
Lydiate, and Wales, prove a point in Paris
Dan Lydiate never quite convinced during his 14 months or so with Racing Metro, yet back in the French capital on Saturday evening, he was integral as Wales got their campaign back on track.
Unsurprisingly, the flanker got through a prodigious amount of work in defence making 12 tackles in all, the second-most of any player on the visiting side.
However, it was a piece of magic with ball in hand that ultimately made the difference as Lydiate produced an unbelievable offload to release Dan Biggar, who scored in the corner.
It was a piece of skill that the silkiest playmakers would have been proud and dispelled the notion that the Ospreys back-row is in the team for the chop tackle alone.
There were some emotional scenes at the final whistle at the Stade de France, but none of the visitors had done more to prove their worth than Lydiate.
Indeed, Racing fans could understandably have been left wondering where these performances were hiding while he was employed in Colombes.
As for Wales, this result proved they will still have a big say in the destination of the championship title, with Ireland next up at the Millennium Stadium on March 14.
Excuses wearing thin for Saint-Andre
Philippe Saint-Andre was furious after watching France succumb to Wales, taking aim at his players’ ill discipline as well as Camille Lopez’s woeful first-half kicking display.
Calling his side the “Father Christmas of international rugby” as they gave the deadly boot of Leigh Halfpenny five kicks at goal that he gleefully accepted, he had a point.
France would have won the game had Lopez had a better day with the boot – or not needlessly passed forward to Yoann Huget – but that said Saint-Andre must take his share of responsibility.
Yes, an influx of foreign talent to the Top 14 has made his job that bit harder, however, in his time in charge of the side, Les Bleus have failed to improve.
In three Six Nations campaigns under the legendary winger, France have finished fourth, sixth and fourth. Their hopes of the championship are over for another year already, and for a country of their size and standing, that is simply not good enough.
Moreover, while Saint-Andre bemoaned the lack of French goal-kickers in the domestic league, he was able to pick two players on Saturday who share such responsibility for their club, Clermont Auvergne.
It was ultimately his decision to give the kicking duty to Lopez ahead of the more experienced Morgan Parra, too.
With the World Cup speeding into view, the time for excuses is quickly running out.
Scotland press the self destruct button again
One coach who appears happy to take responsibility is Vern Cotter, who admitted he wasn’t getting his message across after Scotland lost to Italy at Murrayfield.
Given the optimism that had engulfed the Scottish camp ahead of this weekend’s fixtures defeat to the Azzurri was a bitter pill for Cotter to swallow.
Indeed, narrow losses to France and Wales had hinted at a revival, but those hopes now lay in tatters. Cotter’s honeymoon period is definitely over.
To add insult to injury it was a former Scotland Under-20 international, Tomasso Allan, who made sure of Italy’s victory with a late conversion that sparked wild celebrations.
It will now be interesting to see how Scotland react to the setback with a trip to Twickenham next up, although suspended fly-half Finn Russell should be back for that match.
However, the Scots will have to raise their game considerably – they looked lethargic at Murrayfield as nine tackles were missed – if they are to avoid winning a fourth wooden spoon in just 11 years.
Bonus Point
Julian Savea highlighted his huge quality as he scored a breathtaking try for the Hurricanes in Super Rugby last weekend. A certain Jonah Lomu would have been proud of this effort…
