Rugby 6 Nations - 2022

[macliam]

Sixth 6-nations game, England v Italy in Rome

Both England and Italy come back from defeat in the first matches. Italy have the home advantage, but it is very hard to see then holding off the England juggernaut. On the other hand, the degree of control that England demonstrate in the game may suggest that their problems are not as grave as their loss to Scotland hinted.

Italy kick off, England kick into touch for an Italy throw-in but then give away a penalty but England hold up the ball in the following ruck to gain a scrum advantage, but are surprised by the Italian pack, who force a second scrum with an Italian put-in, which they win but fail to exploit.

England exploit a penalty line-out to put together an attack, which results in a try after 10 minutes play, converted for the full score - England 7 - 0 Italy after 11 minutes.

England attack the Italy line and after a tussle on the line, get over for a second try after 19 minutes, also converted England 14 - 0 Italy after 20 minutes.

After over ten minutes of to-and-fro, with Italy frustrating England attacks but losing out due to penalty calls, England cross the line after 32 minutes. However, the try is disallowed and England penalized for preventing a tackle.

Italy push the ball downfield, but end up giving away another penalty. England drive for the line, but Italy defend and cause a knock-on by England, which is made worse by an England penalty conceded in the Scrum.

However, England press on the attack and exploit a poor Italian pass to cross into the corner for a third try on 40 minutes, which is converted making the score England 21 - 0 Italy at half time.

England start the second half on the attack, but knock forward on the line, giving Italy a scrum, but England overpower the Italian pack, forcing a penalty scrum and a resultant try in the corner but Marcus Smith fails to convert it, making the score England 26 - 0 Italy after 45 minutes and gaining a bonus point.

Italy overturn an England attack and chase downfield, with England conceding a penalty. Italy win the lineout, overkick, but win a second penalty which is turned over by the England defence. A further Italy attack fails just short of the line.

Italy win a lineout an attack the England line, but get pushed into touch just short. They attack the England line again for the 8th time, gaining a penalty advantage.... but England snuff out the attack just short of the line... again.

Italy are not tiring, they attack again but get stopped again... and England kick up field. The resultant kick is fumbled and England cross between the posts for a fifth converted try. England 33 - 0 Italy after 73 minutes.

England cross the Italy line again right on full time, but the try is disallowed.

So at full time the score remains England 33 - 0 Italy

However, the final score misrepresents the Italian work, particularly in the second half. England made heavy going, but come away with the points.

[blythburgh]

Well done England, hope the team can do well against real opposition. Always love it when any of the other teams thrash the French lol

[blythburgh]

And Rugby League had a game on Channel 4 yesterday which was great news for their fans.

[macliam]

Seventh 6-nations game, Scotland v France at Murrayfield.

At kick-off France put Scotland under immediate pressure. This results in a penalty..... which is missed.

On the restart, Scotland do well, but France counter-attack and easily cut through the Scottish defence to go over for a try, which is converted
Scotland 0 - 7 France in the first 9 minutes.

Scotland restart and make ground downfield, but only gain a penalty, which is successfully kicked for points
Scotland 3 - 7 France after 11 minutes.

France restart and immediately put pressure on Scotland. A cross-field kick finds able hands, which cut through a scrambled Scotland defence to score in the corner. The attempted conversion fails
Scotland 3 - 12 France after 13 minutes.

Scotland restart, but it ends with a French scrum on their 22. Scotland strip the ball at halfway, but get caught for a penalty, which is kicked for a lineout. France win, but lose the ball forward, leading to a Scottish scrum in their own half. Scotland win and get a penalty, again kicked for touch and a lineout in the French half. France kick the ball to touch inside their half, but it is touched in flight. French throw is successful and they gain a penalty against Scotland, again. Another kick for touch... this time almost on the Scottish 22. Scotland win the lineout, and attack, but get repelled. There is a very contentious collision and France attack, stopped by Scotland, who then lose the ball forward. But France are adjudged guilty of an infraction in the earlier challenge and Scotland get a penalty in the French half for a 5-metre lineout. Scotland win and attack the line, but the ball is held up.... but there is a high-tackle penalty call.

Scotland attack again, win a further penalty, but manage to get the ball over the line. The try is then converted.
Scotland 10 - 12 France after 29 minutes.

On the restart, there is a dangerous counter-ruck by France, so they get a scrum in their own half. France attack, but are penalized for holding on. A kick for touch gives the Scots a lineout just outside the French 22. Scotland win, but France strip the ball. A Scotland scrum works and they continue to attack in the French half, until the ball is lost for a French scrum on their own 22. After play from both sides, Scotland attack through Van der Merwe and are well on their way, until Hogg loses the ball forward. A French scrum again on their own 22 - and they win a penalty to allow them to kick for touch.

A French lineout on the Scottish 22 is won and Ficou goes over in the corner for another try. The French conversion is successful.
Scotland 10 - 19 France on half time.

On the half-time restart, Scotland attack, but lose the ball and after some confusion about a possible penalty, France score in the corner on the counter-attack. The try is converted successfully
Scotland 10 - 26 France after 42 minutes.

On the restart, Scotland attack, but lose the ball and after some confusion about a possible penalty, France score in the corner on the counter-attack. The try is converted successfully
Scotland 10 - 26 France on half time.

The restart is run out from the French side, Scotland get the ball, but lose it forward. A French scrum in their own half collapses and is reset. France tries for the penalty, but win the scrum and kick forward, but touch the line, so Scotland win a scrum back in the French half. Scotland win and charge at the French line, gaining a penalty for offside against Ficou. They kick for a 5-metre lineout, which they win ... but then lose a penalty to France.

France attack, but are taken into touch, Scotland chase to the French line, where France touch down, but a lineout is given to Scotland. France steal from the resulting maul and are stopped by Scotland... who then give away a penalty for holding on.

A resulting lineout outside the Scotland 22 leads to another penalty for France, who kick for points this time, but miss. Scotland counter-attack, but lose another penalty for holding on, allowing France to kick for touch. France strip the ball from Scotland and go over yet again in the corner for a bonus-point try, but the conversion fails.
Scotland 10 - 31 France after 60 minutes.

On the restart, France are caught in their own 22, but kick for touch on the halfway line. France force Scotland back to their own 22, but then concede a penalty. Scotland attack, but lose the ball and it is kicked to touch by France. Scotland win the ball, but lose a penalty just inside the halfway line.

A scrum to Scotland inside their 22 is won, but ends, yet again, in a penalty to France which is kicked to touch on the Scotland try-line. France win the lineout, but Scotland put the ball down for a goal-line dropout. France attack, but win a relieving penalty on their try-line.

France regain the attack and win a penalty, so when Scotland strip the ball, play goes back for the penalty, which is put out for a 5-metre throw-in. France win, but take down their own maul. A resulting cross-field kick puts France into the corner, unopposed. The conversion fails, but it's a 6th try for France.
Scotland 10 - 36 France after 76 minutes.

France drive back to the halfway line from the restart, but then the ball goes out of play for a Scottish lineout. Scotland drive forward, but France strip the ball again and Ficou puts the ball downfield. Scotland then win a scrum just within their own half. Scotland drive forward through Kinghorn, before van der Merwe goes over the line just on 80 minutes. The try is converted by Hogg.
Scotland 17 - 36 France after 80 minutes.

Seventh 6-nations game, Scotland v France at Murrayfield. (continued)

On the half-time restart, Scotland get pressed back to their 22. They go back on the attack.... but lose the ball forward, to end the game.

Final Score Scotland 17 - 36 France

France top the table with 3 wins out of 3 and bonus points - the title and Grand Slam are theirs to lose.

[macliam]

Eighth 6-nations game, England v Wales at Twickenham.

Both teams looking to build on their previous one win from two games. Both still in with a shot at the title.

England kick off, and Wales fumble leading to a struggle on the Wales try-line, but Wales win a penalty but run it and then get caught to concede a kickable penalty to England.
England 3 - 0 Wales after 2 minutes.

Wales restart is caught by England who drive forward and then kick forward. Wales catch it, but then give away another kickable penalty.
England 6 - 0 Wales after 5 minutes.

Wales restart again, but England gather the ball on their 22 and push Wales back. But Wales kick forward and get caught over their own line for a Welsh scrum on the England 5-metre line. After 2 resets, the scrum collapses and a penalty is given to Wales.... they try to go early but get called back and it goes to a lineout, which Wales win, but the resulting maul is taken down illegally, giving Wales yet another penalty. Wales lose the lineout. Wales regain the ball and charge into English territory, but get caught for another penalty. England win their lineout and in the resulting maul, Wales are penalized.... so England kick for a lineout almost on the Wales 22. Wales defend and kick the ball downfield.... but England win another kickable penalty - which Marcus Smith misses.

On the restart, England get back over the halfway line, and a kick forward catches Wales for a lineout just off their 10-metre line. England win the lineout but get stopped on the line and then knock forward, but Liam Williams gives away another penalty - and gets yellow-carded for playing the ball whilst on the ground. The resulting scrum under the posts ends in a Wales penalty which puts the ball out on their 22. Wales win the lineout, England recover the ball and restart the attack, but the ball is stripped by Wales and is then knocked forward . England attack and kick to touch beyond the Wales 22. Wales secure the ball in the lineout, but lose the ball to England, who then lose the ball to Wales! An impressive charge brings Wales almost to the England 22 , before a knock-forward and a Wales scrum. A resulting cross-field kick results in a lineout for Wales, but England steal the ball.

Wales get hold of the ball, but run into a brick wall and hold on to the ball on the ground for another England penalty, which Smith gets between the posts.
England 9 - 0 Wales after 31 minutes.

Wales are back to 15 men and take off towards the England line after the restart. The best bit of Wales possession in the game sees them almost to the England 22. But England snuff out the attack and kick a 50-22 to gain a lineout on the Wales 5 metre line, due to the new rule. England win the lineout, but Wales gain a penalty for England holding on. Wales kick for touch and win their lineout. A garryowen is caught by England, but the resultant kick is caught by Liam Williams. However, England recover the ball and drive for the line, gaining a penalty after 40 minutes with the clock in the red.

A kick between the posts by Marcus Smith sees a fourth score, putting England in command on half time.

Half Time score - England 12 - 0 Wales


Wales restart the second half, resulting in an aerial game, which England win. The ball finally goes out on the Wales 10 metre line. Wales completely overthrow the lineout and England go over for a try. Smith fails to convert.
England 17 - 0 Wales after 5 minutes.

On the restart, Wales wins the ball and attack the England line, but knock forward. They win the resulting lineout, but get stopped on their own side of the halfway line, for a Wales scrum. They gain a penalty and Biggar kicks into touch inside the England 22 and again attack the England line, but lose the ball.

Again they win the lineout, but then lose a penalty on a turnover just outside the England 22. Wales regain the ball at the lineout, but then there is a high tackle, which allows Wales to gain another lineout and an attack which forces a lineout on the England 5-metre line. A great cross-field passing game allows Josh Adams to cross the line for Wales first try. Biggar fails to convert.
England 17 - 5 Wales after 54 minutes.

On the restart, Wales force England back, but they recover to drive towards the Wales 22. Wales turn the ball over and charge downfield but get pushed into touch. They secure the ball from the lineout and then gain a penalty - so a lineout on the England 5-metre line. Wales drive for the line and Tompkins goes over for a second try which Biggar converts.
England 17 - 12 Wales after 61 minutes.

England win the aerial game on the restart, taking the ball into the Wales half. After play for the line England gain a penalty and Smith puts it between the post
England 20 - 12 Wales on 68 minutes.

The restart ends with another England penalty and Marcus Smith opts again for the posts.
England 23 - 12 Wales after 71 minutes.

The restart is again an aerial battle, but England secure the ball , then kick away possession in the Wales half. Wales attack into the England half, but are forced into a scrum, from which England win a scrum penalty.. quickly lost as a penalty to Wales.

A third Wales lineout is lost to England, but they regain the ball back on halfway and gain a penalty just outside the England 22. They kick into touch and win the lineout.... then go for the line and score a third try just into the 80th minute - again converted by Biggar
England 23 - 19 Wales on 80 minutes.

On the restart, Wales attack, unable to kick for territory. They break through their own 22, with brilliant play from Williams..... but then the ball is deliberately knocked-on by Courtney Lawes. however, the advantage comes to nothing.

Final score - England 23 - 19 Wales

[macliam]

Ninth 6-nations game - Ireland v Italy at the Aviva in Dublin

From the kickoff, Ireland attack and push deep into the Italian half. Italy are very narrow in defence and smooth passing sees Joey Carbery over the line for a try. He converts his own try at 4 minutes
Ireland 7 - 0 Italy after 4 minutes.

Italy catch their throw-in just and launch just into the Ireland half, but it gets kicked down and then Italy are penalized for holding.

Against the run of play, Italy get a penalty on the halfway line and Italy choose to kick for points - successfully
Ireland 7 - 3 Italy after 14 minutes.

Italy's defence are strong and they gain another penalty from inside their half, kicking for touch towards Ireland’s 22. They win the throw-in and set off for the Ireland line, but frustrated by the Irish defence, kick away possession. Ireland kick the ball into touch in the Italy half. Again there is an aerial battle, but Ireland secure the ball. Italy's defence is strong, but there is head contact without any attempt to tackle and Italy are both penalized and Faiva, the replacement hooker is given a red card after 18 minutes. So Italy drops to 14 men - and have lost their two hookers.... so the referee decides that Italy must lose another player to allow another front-row player to come on - which means Italy will drop to 13 men.

The results are immediate. Lowe takes the ball forward, Gibson-Park takes the pass and goes over for a try. Carbery converts easily.
Ireland 14 - 3 Italy after 21 minutes.

Italy chase downfield, but Lowe goes for touch near the Italy 5-metre line. It is kicked downfield, but a cross-kick to Hansen takes the ball into touch on the Italy 22, for a scrum. Italy win and kick downfield, but Ireland attack, to be penalized just in front of the Italy posts. Ireland kick a 50-22, but it is kept infield by Italy, who are then forced back behind their line. From the restart, Ireland spread across the field and score another try. Carbery fails to convert, so it's 5 points.
Ireland 19 - 3 Italy on 31 minutes.

On the restart, Ireland set off downfield, but are forced into a scrum outside the Italy 22. Ireland win, but then knock the ball forward for another scrum inside the Italy 22. Italy kick the ball into touch, but Ireland still have the attack inside the Italy half. O'Mahoney goes over in the corner for a fourth try - and a bonus point. Carbery fails to convert, so it's another 5-pointer
Ireland 24 - 3 Italy after 38 minutes.

At the restart, Ireland attack but are caught offside just outside their 22. The resultant penalty gives Italy a last score before half-time.

Half-Time score - Ireland 24 - 6 Italy
This is not the "normal" Italy game..... their defence is working well, their kicking is going well, but a 13-man team seems destined to fail - the only question is by how much....

Ireland take the restart after half-time, but Italy come away with a penalty, which Garbisi opts to kick, but fails.

Ireland win a penalty on the restart, but kick for touch into the Italy half. Italy are penalized and there is an Ireland scrum just inside the Italy 22. Ireland set off but are penalized for holding-on. Italy find touch just over halfway and win the throw-in...just. An Italy scrum outside the Ireland 22 is successful , but they are caught offside. Ireland win the throw-in in the Italian half and chase down the boundary, but lose the ball into touch. Italy then go offside just outside their 22 and a kick-and-go to suck in the Italian players is followed by and easy try on 52 minutes... but Carbery again fails to convert.
Ireland 29 - 6 Italy after 52 minutes.

Sexton comes on to replace Carbery. But Italy gain a scrum for a knock-on inside the Ireland 22 but are bundled into touch. Ireland drive from the throw-in and kick to the Italy 22. Italy are caught in a choke-tackle and Ireland set off for the line, Sexton passes to Lowry, who goes over for a sixth try. Sexton converts for a 7-pointer.
Ireland 36 - 6 Italy after 57 minutes.

From the restart, Hansen catches the ball and launches back inside the Italy 22. A throw-in on the 22 sees Ireland stretch the Italy line again, but knock the ball forward. An Italy scrum just beyond the 5-metre line is successful and relieves the pressure. A collision in mid-field looks like a high tackle, but passes, then an Ireland throw-in and resultant maul takes them into the Italy 22 again.

Italy get a penalty for Ireland kicking in the ruck, but fail to take advantage of it. Hansen kicks the ball forward, but a battle on the line with Ioane sees an Italy lineout inside their 22. Italy clear, but Ireland push on again and an Italy kick is charged down and Baird follows up to score. Sexton converts for another 7-pointer.
Ireland 43 - 6 Italy after 70 minutes.

Italy take the restart to the Ireland 22, but Ireland win the throw-in... only to put the ball into touch in the Italy half. Ireland attack to within a few metres of the Italy line, but Italy then slap the ball into touch... and Italy lose another player to a yellow card on 74 minutes,. Italy down to 12 players.

Ireland get a scrum on the Italy 5-metre line... and cross-field to Lowry puts Lowe over in the corner, for another try. Sexton converts a difficult angle.... but that's why he is Sexton"
Ireland 50 - 6 Italy after 76 minutes.

Italy foil another Ireland attack to kick for touch. An Ireland cross-kick is caught by Italy, but taken into touch close to the line. Ireland drive for the line, but the ball is held up for an Italy goal-line dropout. The clock is red, but Italy cannot kick out directly. Ireland catch the ball and drive again for the line... getting yet another try on 82 minutes. The last kick is from Sexton, who gains an easy extra 2 points.

FINAL SCORE - Ireland 57 - 6 Italy

[Phil85]

Think you might be wasting your time writing all this down. If anyone was interested they would have just watched it.

[macliam]

What makes you think I'm doing it for you?

If you're not interested, it's easy to ignore, just as there are posts here that I ignore.... about football, for example.

However, if you have anything to post, go ahead.

[gle1975]

I watched some of the Italy game on ITV and it was interesting the commentators did not want the player to be sent off as it ruined the game (and the viewing figures)!

[blythburgh]

Stupid commentator, if the ref think the player should be sent off then what it does to the game and viewing figures are immaterial. The 6 Nations are more important than that. Long live the ref who is prepared to ignore the crowd, the players, the managers and do what he sees to be correct