Talking points from Six Nations round two

In a classic Six Nations finale, England defeated France, but Wales’ situation in Italy deteriorated, and only Ireland, the only team still aiming for a Grand Slam title, prevailed.

Following their 27-22 defeat by Ireland in round one, England was accused of being unable to see out close games after a 2024 that was jam-packed with close losses from winning positions.

They were on the right side of late drama against France at Allianz Stadium, with Elliot Daly’s last-gasp converted try securing a 26-25 win.

France could have ended the match sooner, but England won in a dramatic finale, enthralling the raucous Twickenham crowd.

When describing England’s victory, former England internationals Matt Dawson, Matt Johnson, and Chris Ashton all used the phrase “found a way” to win.

On the BBC’s Six Nations Rugby Special, former England prop Joe Marler said: “Speaking to fans and people around]Twickenham], they were really nervous, they didn’t know what to expect. They’re weren’t sure what was coming.

England had a “positive platform” before hosting Scotland on February 22 while former winger Ugo Monye claimed there was “still lots to work on”.

Following matches against Italy and Wales, BBC rugby union correspondent Chris Jones stated that “england fans have had to put up with a lot of things in the Six Nations.”

“They’ve not won it since 2020 and a lot of times]since] they’ve lost on the opening day and not really competed. Last year they had an outside shot in France, but really it was Ireland’s title.

France “just got the dropsies for a day,” according to defence coach Shaun Edwards, and it cost money for Antoine Dupont and Damian Penaud to start the contest with the tryline in sight in the opening 40 minutes.

France captain Dupont said:” We only have ourselves to blame. We should have scored at least three tries in the first half, which was not ideal. Had we done so, the match would have been completely different.

“They were pragmatic – every time they entered our half, they scored. We, on the other hand, wasted too many opportunities”.

Former Ireland fly-half Ronan O’Gara, who coaches French club La Rochelle, said on BBC One: “The big word would be precision or accuracy – a record number of knock-ons from people you don’t associate knock-ons from.

O’Gara said:” If you’re looking for a formula of how to win away in the Six Nations, you should study that.

“From the beginning, it was brutal.” The biggest surprise among us]pundits] here is that it finished 32-18.

Sam Prendergast won the match’s MVP award for excelling in Johnny Sexton’s vacated fly-half position following the 2023 World Cup.

O’Gara added:” He didn’t show any nerves and looked very comfortable. If that’s what he’s doing at 21, you can imagine what he’ll be like at 25 or 26. We’ve got a really good prospect.

He’ll be kept on his toes because he knows Jack Crowley is biting his heels because of the environment he’s in.

Scotland were unable to end a string of 11-game losing streak led by Ireland.

Finn Russell and Darcy Graham both suffered injuries following a bad first-half collision, and their 17-0 deficit did not improve.

They cut the deficit to six points just before half-time, but Duhan van der Merwe’s try squelched any chance of a comeback was soon overthrown, and they remained second-best for extended periods of time.

On BBC One, former Scotland back row John Barclay said, “Scotland had to be at or close to their best, and they were way off it.”

Scotland made a lot of forced errors, and they were dominated at the breakdown, according to the statement.

Ireland were very good, the other part, they said. They were clinical, they controlled how and where the game was going to be played. “

Johnson added:” Scotland didn’t really have any attitude in the first half, they almost didn’t believe they could win the game, they made mistakes and they made it too easy for Ireland. That scoreline flatters Scotland.

James Hook, a former Wales international, commented on the BBC’s Rugby Union Weekly podcast: “Wales definitely flattered by the scoreline. Wales came in second overall and Italy were completely dominant in almost every aspect of the game.

We haven’t seen any progress either, which is the frustration of Welsh supporters. If you see some sort of development and something to be optimistic about, you think ‘ OK, we are actually developing’. But we haven’t really improved. “

What advantages can Wales take from their final three games against Ireland, Scotland, and England given the possibility of another Wooden Spoon, despite Warren Gatland’s desire to continue as head coach?

Ex-captain Sam Warburton said on BBC One:” All I want to see is some players – there won’t be 10 of them – but we need three, four or five, on top of people like Jac Morgan and Tomos Williams, to say: ‘ I’m an international-class player and this is going to be my shirt for the next five to 10 years’.

“We need guys to step up and own that shirt,” he said.

Questions, of course, are being asked about what can be done to arrest the national team’s decline and Jones, like many other pundits and journalists, believes the problems are deep-rooted.