ROUND 2 REVIEW
By Bruce Lowe
Blimey! I never saw that coming! Just when one predicts the Scots to fold like the proverbial cheap tent they pull off a display for the ages—jump out of the blocks at the opening whistle , with crisp, fast attacking movements combined with astute kicking and fully combative at the breakdowns in the loose—all orchestrated by Finn Russell , with all of his guile and flair we remember from matches past! Three tries down in the first half, a man down for nearly half the game, with all the breaks seemingly going Scotland’s way, and with the Scots continuing to hold firm thoughout the second half, the result was ALMOST never in doubt—and yet, there were one or two glimpses of where it could have come apart for Scotland. Knowing that they are facing an Irish pack in transition this weekend, England can take some heart from the fact that they were at one point only one set scrum near the Scottish line away from gaining a penalty try with a Scot sent off, such was their evident dominance in the set scrums( at least until the spilt milk had been cried over and Schoeman replaced the struggling McBeth at prop). All in all, I’m happy to say that for the second week in a row Scotland—and only Scotland—ruined my predictions!
Elsewhere, in Dublin Ireland managed a narrow win over the always improving Italians, in a very entertaining match, and France, as expected, steamrollered over the hapless Welsh in Cardiff.
Because of the results, and the respective teams’ performances in the first two series, the Week 3 matches should be fascinating.
ROUND THREE: ENGLAND v IRELAND, SATURDAY 9.10AM TWICKENHAM.
Licking their wounds from the shock loss at Murrayfield, England have little time for reflection but also an immediate opportunity for redemption. Ireland really did scrape by against Italy, and coach Farrell is still feeling for his best team, retaining James Lowe after a good game against Italy, plumping for Jack Crowley back at fly half and beefing up the back row to include both Doris and Van De Flier on the flanks. England coach Borthwick looks for some combined flair and strength in the backline by staying with Henry Arundell ( last week’s red card villain), bringing in Ollie Lawrence at centre and moving Tommy Freeman to the wing. Whether that sharpens the offense or not remains to be seen, but with Marcus Smith back in on the bench Borthwick has options of adding some spark either at full-back or fly half. He also has the impactful Henry Pollock now starting in the back row. This is a very hard game to call, but the story of the Six Nations so far has been that the team which gets off to a fast start usually prevails by the end. Thus, Ireland will very much need an explosive opening to quieten the partizan Twickenham crowd ie ”Swing Low Sweet Chariot” and all . I’m not sure they will be able to do it, but this should be a close and intense game. A great game in fact. Ireland should take inspiration from what Scotland achieved last week.
WALES v SCOTLAND, CARDIFF ‘S PRINCIPALITY STADIUM 11.40AM.
After the brilliant Calcutta Cup win, and a beaming Princess Royal handing over the Trophy, the danger of a big let down in Cardiff is what many Scottish fans will be wary of. Wales will be like a cornered beast at this point, and from the days of the old Arms Park on, Cardiff stadiums have not been hospitable to the visiting Scots for many decades. Also, a lot of Welsh pride is at stake. BUT, the fact is that, notwithstanding that they have some good players, Wales as a team are not playing well, the Welsh fans are understandably shell-shocked and are starting to not show up in significant numbers. A BBC News survey this week in the centre of Cardiff revealed total disenchantment in general with the way the team’s fortunes have waned. The Scots have three injury-enforced changes, with the loss of flanker Jamie Ritchie, so good at the breakdowns, at least partially offset by the return of the one and only Van Der Swerve to add another threat to an already dynamic back line. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Welsh prove to be tough, gritty opponents this weekend and the Scots make rather heavy weather of this game, but at the end of the day they are the better team and should come out on top. I sincerely hope they don’t make me go 0-3!
FRANCE v ITALY , LILLE STADIUM, 10.00 AM SUNDAY.
This match being played in Lille ( in Northern France) causes me to chuckle and reflect. Every other year, when I was growing up on the Sussex Coast, Brighton Rugby Club would host the Lille University Rugby Club for a long Spring weekend tour. In the alternate year, Brighton would similarly travel to Lille. This went on for decades, and probably still happens to this day. It was always a highlight on the Club’s calendar, and in my youthful innocence, when Brighton was hosting, I couldn’t help noticing and wondering why the local Club’s wives and girlfriends etc were always much more smartly turned out when the French guys came to town ( I did later figure it out!)! Can Italy STOP France’s run to the Grand Slam? I believe that this is Italy’s strongest team since they joined the Six Nations—a tough pack with the Cannone brothers at its heart, a maturing Garbisi at fly half, and strong centres in a settled and capable back line –BUT THE Dupont-orchestrated Bleus are also one of the best French teams ever, and France are at home, even if it’s not Paris. I don’t think Italy can quite pull it off , but it should be another great game , and – as last week’s Calcutta Cup match proved— in the Six Nations anything’s possible!
Two final comments: First, hats off to the two referees of last week ‘s Calcutta Cup and Dublin matches. The first was by a Georgian referee, the second by Holly Davidson—the first woman to referee a Six Nations match. From what I could tell, both were excellent . Kudos to each of them and to the Six Nations for choosing them. Second, whenever you get the chance watch the Italy team sing their national anthem! For passion and entertainment value it is unmatched! Make sure you listen for the final crescendo! Pavarotti would be proud of them!
ENJOY THE WEEKEND!
BEST REGARDS
BRUCE
