CHRIS FOY’S SIX NATIONS WEEKEND VERDICT: Friday fixtures are falling quick on the expense of the paying spectator, Scotland may have combined emotions with their mid-table standing confirmed, and Italy provide nothing after their thirty sixth defeat in a row
- Friday fixtures proved to not work by 11,000 empty seats at Principality Stadium
- Wales have been super-smart towards France, decreasing their opponents probabilities
- Italy provide nothing, as they endure 36 consecutive defeats and function a bye
The Six Nations motion has confirmed that Friday fixtures do not work for spectators, Italy are only a bye for different groups and Wales have a shrewd defence.
Scotland, in the meantime, may have combined emotions about their fortunes, whereas a steward was pressured to cease a pitch invader at Twickenham in England’s defeat to Eire.
Because the match slowly involves a detailed, Sportsmail’s CHRIS FOY is available to ship his verdict for all the weekend’s drama…
Wales put in a stable defensive show to restrict France’s probabilities of their Six Nations conflict
It has been one other unfulfilling match for Gregor Townsend’s Scotland facet, in the meantime
Friday fixtures falling flat
Friday night time fixtures don’t work for the paying spectator — proved once more by the sight of 11,000 empty seats on the Principality Stadium, for the go to of France.
There are specific logistical points in Cardiff resembling restricted resort and match-day prepare capability, but in addition visiting followers face extra of a problem to journey in numbers, which is a part of the match’s enchantment. Three fixtures on every Saturday, please.
Combined emotions for Scots
Scotland produced some razzle-dazzle rugby in Rome, nevertheless it all felt so hole after defeats by Wales and France re-confirmed their mid-table standing.
Ali Worth was electrical in his fiftieth Check, Finn Russell threw Finn Russell passes and there have been a few gorgeous, end-to-end tries, nevertheless it’s been one other unfulfilling match for Gregor Townsend’s facet, with extra bother forward in Dublin.
Scotland produced some razzle-dazzle rugby in Rome, nevertheless it all felt so hole after two losses
Give that steward a increase…
There was a serial pitch invader at Twickenham and it was good to see him being swiftly handled this time.
Questions need to be requested about how the identical man — who has additionally focused Lord’s and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium — can preserve breaching safety across the perimeter of stands, and the way he was in a position to be a part of the England line-up for the anthem.
Not less than he was promptly flattened by a steward.
Strong welsh defence
Wales have been super-smart towards France, decreasing their opponents to a state of stuttering nervousness. Their kicking was intelligent and correct.
Dan Biggar was imperious — up-staging the acclaimed Romain Ntamack — however the Welsh additionally defended beautifully, credit score to Gethin Jenkins.
Up entrance, Will Rowlands’ kind has eased fears about Alun Wyn Jones’ eventual retirement.
Wales have been tremendous good towards France decreasing their opponents to a state of hysteria
Italy provide nothing — once more
That’s now 36 defeats in a row for Italy. Sorry, it’s a damaged report, nevertheless it’s additionally a damaged format in the event that they solely function a bye for each different staff within the match.
They’ll lose in Cardiff subsequent weekend to finish a seventh consecutive winless marketing campaign, towards the backdrop of South Africa’s dedication to realize entry.
CVC will probably be shedding persistence…
Italy provide nothing at Six Nations and have now suffered 36 defeats in a row
Nice scenes in Spain
There have been fantastic, emotional scenes in Madrid as Spain beat Portugal in entrance of a sell-out crowd to clinch their place on the 2023 World Cup.
They haven’t taken half within the international showpiece since 1999 and their re-emergence is a welcome growth for the game. World Rugby ought to make supporting the Spaniards a strategic precedence within the coming years.
Workforce of the weekend
Hugo Keenan (Eire); Ange Capuozzo (Italy), Chris Harris (Scotland), Gael Fickou (France), Jack Nowell (England); Dan Biggar (Wales), Ali Worth (Scotland); Ellis Genge (England), Julien Marchand (France), Tomas Francis (Wales); Will Rowlands (Wales), Maro Itoje (England); Courtney Lawes (England), Taulupe Faletau (Wales), Anthony Jelonch (France).
