Six Nations Week Four and the only real winner was the weather. We did call two results out of three and it could have been three if Michalak and Parra had kicked all their goals as France produced a fight back.
The weekend opened with Scotland hosting Wales in a freezing and wet Murrayfield. It meant we had a kicking fest and not much rugby of any value. Wales were probably worth the win, not least for the power up front. Of our men Johnnie Beattie had another outing where he had a couple of carries and we did not see or hear much of him through the game. Given the preponderance of possession for the Welsh it is not surprising we did not see him going forward. Would have expected more in defence though and perhaps again it was because he was down and dirty we did not see him. Anyway just 5/10 is our rating.
For Wales with Coombs on the bench and not getting on we watched Alun Wyn Jones. He got through a fair amount of work which explains why Coombs did not get a look in. Alun could be seen doing the close quarters work and at times the dog as well as a few carries and some ball in the line-out.
All in all he was a constructive part of a rampant Wales who could have caused more problems if the weather had been kinder. So for Alun Wyn Jones 7/10 and for Wales winning 6/10. The Scots will rue penalties again and some of them really were stupid. They could have gone in at half-time up 12-10, but instead it was 12-13. The whistle was the most used thing on the day and the final score of 18-28 was certainly a fair reflection.
The second game on Saturday and the Aviva Stadium in Dublin was no kinder to the players as yet again the heavens opened and it was freezing cold. The good news however was our man Paddy Jackson had a much better day with the boot, both out of hand and from the tee.
Given the conditions it was never going to be a feast of running rugby but a lottery on which side would make less errors. The first half and Ireland looked to be coasting as France could not get into the game so it was we arrived at half-time at 13-3. The second period and France came back into the game and but for missed kicks could well have stolen it. As it was it finished as a draw with France posting the only second half points. Thoughts on our players Paddy Jackson did some good work and used the conditions well but had less opportunity in the second period so 6/10. Wesley Fofana did not have much chance with ball in hand and only had a couple of touches so 6/10. As mentioned the weather was the only winner and watching the teams at the end several players looked in the early stages of hypothermia.
Last up and Sunday dawned sunny at Twickenham but yet again it was freezing cold and perhaps that was an influence on England who started brightly but then faded to nothing, whilst Italy were under the hammer for twenty or so minutes and then should perhaps have won on the day. Discipline is still their Achilles heel. So what of our two players? Joe Launchbury yet again was industrious and added some ball carrying to a fair few tackles and work in the loose.
With a couple of balls from the line-out as well.
Perhaps needed some support at times but nothing wrong so 7/10. Andrea Masi however rightly took the plaudits from the commentators and the man of the match award 8/10. Although it could also have gone to McLean or Orquera who blows so hot and cold. 12-3 here at half time and all looking good for England even though they butchered two scoring chances. Then it all went to pot and Italy came back to 12-11, before the indiscipline let them down and England won 18-11 having withstood a last ten minutes onslaught.
So what of next week well Italy good do for Ireland but they need to be consistent and not give away the penalties so we will go with a win for Ireland. France Scotland will go to France purely because the Scots will get bullied and so the big one and strange as it may seem we think England will surprise a complacent Wales and compete up front thus doing enough to squeeze a win in a high scoring try feast!