Scots the biggest challengers and heat on Ford – Six Nations talking points

England went from bad to disastrous, France didn’t fire on all cylinders but had enough to maintain their Grand Slam challenge, Scotland dug deep for a big win and Ireland were just tremendous.

The opportunity and ability for teams to rewrite their own narratives in the space of just a few weeks is part of what makes the Six Nations so compelling.

Lacklustre and outgunned in Rome in week one, Scotland are now France’s biggest challengers after following up the Calcutta Cup demolition of England with a nailbiting, nerve-wrenching win in Wales.

The hosts were 23-12 up with just over 20 minutes to go but Scotland roared back to win 26-23 after some brilliant quick thinking from fly-half Finn Russell.

He switched the momentum of the match with a kick that caught Wales out and allowed Darcy Graham to score in the corner. Yet again, the Bath number 10 was the difference-maker.

“Big-game players turn up when it matters and Russell had moments when he bailed Scotland out,” former Wales captain Sam Warburton told BBC Rugby Special.

“He was exceptional at managing the team when they were down in the game. He waits for the perfect moment to get involved.

“He plays what he sees, he has that licence and his clutch kicking was immense. The big-game player rocked up in the last 30 minutes, he was immaculate and a big part of the comeback.”

“Scotland found a way to win ugly,” added their former flanker John Barclay.

“They found solutions and ground their way in. In some ways that was the most important win they have had in a while. It has given them a strong position in the table.”

France remain in the driving seat for a 20th title – third in five years – and can seal it with a bonus-point win in Edinburgh.

They were made to graft by ever-improving Italy in Lille, but eventually streaked away to win 33-8, aided by another classy display from star scrum-half and captain Antoine Dupont.

A brilliant kick set up the opening score for Louis Bielle-Biarrey, before Dupont then showed his defensive strengths during a dominant second-half spell from the visitors.

“It’s perhaps unfair that we expect him to do outrageous things every week,” said Barclay.

“He is coming back from a knee injury and was maybe a bit quiet in the first two games, but he really stepped up.

“You have to admire his ability to scan the play under pressure, see space and deliver the skill for France to score that first try. His physical side of the game is impressive, he makes tackles and does so much good stuff.

“He had a huge influence on the game which is what we have come to expect.

While Scotland’s campaign has been revitalised by back-to-back victories, England’s has been utterly derailed by two losses.

They were blown away by Ireland at Twickenham as the men in green ran in five tries to embarrass Steve Borthwick’s side 42-21.

England entered the tournament with a settled-looking side, but now look a muddle with Matt Dawson calling for Fin Smith to replace George Ford at number 10.

Warburton was confused by Ford’s kicking – or lack of – against Ireland.

He said: “England are normally patient in their kick battle but Ford missed some kicks that were a real momentum killer.

“England are a kicking team and when they do it well they look really good. He won so much territory against Wales and in the last two games it’s been the other end of the spectrum.

“Ford is an exceptional tactical kicker but he has not been kicking in the last two games and they have struggled as a result of it.”

“I am surprised by England,” added Barclay.

“We thought it was a shootout between them and France for a Grand Slam before the tournament. The most concerning thing is the nature of the defeats. Where are England now? We don’t really know.

“The last two performances have thrown up a lot of question marks about selection. What’s the best back three, who should play at centre, is George Ford the man at 10?

“Rewind a few weeks and you could name the team. It seems to have fallen apart a bit.”

Ireland’s resurgence was personified by Robert Baloucoune.

The 28-year-old had not featured for Ireland since November 2022 because of injury, but he started and scored against Italy before scoring again in an all-action performance against England.

The wing thought his international career was over but instead played a huge part in a famous win, troubling England speedster Henry Arundell with his work-rate.

“He was unbelievable,” said Barclay. “His willingness to work off the ball is how you win games.

“He put in dominant tackles, won turnovers. The mindset and energy he bought to the game away from home set the tempo.”

“Ireland’s desire and work-rate off the ball won them the game,” added Warburton.

“Paul O’Connell’s quote when I was on Lions duty with him was, ‘Be the best at everything that requires no talent’ – and Ireland were that.

“Their attack looks like the one of old. They were super-organised and their aerial dominance was a launchpad. They were so efficient in the red zone and their speed of ball was too good, England couldn’t recover from it.”

Wales’ dismal run continued with a painful defeat that was summed up by Tomos Williams giving away a costly penalty for a croc roll.

Wales have lost 24 of 26 internationals since October 2023 and the latest defeat was a 14th successive Six Nations loss in a record stretching back three years.

Barclay added: “Wales will be gutted. They had that game.

“In Test Match rugby the margins are tiny and in the last 15 minutes they gave away five penalties and a huge one was the croc roll.

“You might think that has to be grabbing someone around the head and neck and twisting them, but it’s also about lateral movement. It’s something they are trying to get out of the game.”

The penalty was costly and Scotland and Russell took full advantage, with their misery being compounded by the nature of George Turner’s match-winning try.

Scotland number eight Matt Fagerson was offside and obstructing Wales replacement prop Archie Griffin in the build-up to the score from a driving maul.