It’s time for our Monday wrap of who has their name in lights and who is making the headlines for all the wrong reasons after the weekend.
THEY’RE ON FIRE!
Impressive Ireland: There were some doubts around the Irishmen after their Autumn Nations Series performances but they have answered those questions pretty emphatically. Simon Easterby’s men were good against England but they stepped it up at Murrayfield, claiming a superb 32-18 triumph. Ireland are looking to become the first men’s side to win the Six Nations three times in a row and, on that form, surely no one can stop them. They are now firm favourites for the title, and deservedly so.
Steve Borthwick: The Red Rose head coach has found himself under significant pressure but that was eased somewhat after their late 26-25 victory over France. England have been competitive against the best teams but haven’t managed to quite get over the line. However, that changed when Elliot Daly scampered across the whitewash to snatch the win, keeping their Six Nations hopes alive. Their next task is to back it up against Scotland otherwise Borthwick will once again find himself in the spotlight should they lose.
Sam Prendergast and Fin Smith: Two fly-halves who came of age in the Six Nations at the weekend. Smith was making his first start and, after a difficult opening 40 minutes, he shone after the break, setting up tries for Tommy Freeman and Daly – the match-winner. As for Prendergast, many were calling for Jack Crowley to get the 10 shirt against Scotland, but Easterby resisted that temptation and kept faith with the Leinster youngster. That was duly rewarded as he put in a player of the match display at Murrayfield.
Italy hold nerve: It is not often that the Azzurri have gone into Six Nations matches as heavy favourites but that is what happened on Saturday. They were expected to dispatch a forlorn Wales side and that is pretty much what they did. Italy handled the atrocious conditions expertly and got the game done and dusted in the opening 65 minutes, despite a late fightback by the Welsh. It showed maturity and composure for the Italians to get the job done pretty efficiently.
Scotland’s Finn Russell decision: Credit to Scotland for their decision not to send Russell back onto the field against Ireland as they had concerns over their star fly-half, despite him passing a Head Injury Assessment. According to Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend, Russell wasn’t remembering plays correctly whilst chatting with fellow coach Pete Horne and the decision was made not to send him back on. A fantastic judgement from the team’s backroom and medical staff that has put player health at the top of their priorities.
Family first for Joe Schmidt: You have to admire how Schmidt has refused to bend on his long-term future as family comes first. Personal circumstances meant that the Wallabies head coach was unable to commit to Rugby Australia for the years to come as his son, Luke, suffers with severe epilepsy. He will therefore head home after this year’s Rugby Championship but not before looking to sign off in style with a British & Irish Lions series win and the southern hemisphere tournament his priority before he departs.
COLD AS ICE!
Fragile France: Whereas all the heat was on Borthwick before the match, the pressure may well have switched to Fabien Galthie after Les Bleus’ defeat to England. Quite frankly, they looked nervous from the outset and their errors in the opening 40 minutes only increased the pressure. They did put it together on occasions, leading to a couple of superbly worked tries, but by the final quarter, the French had let the Red Rose off the hook on too many occasions and given them belief. This France side have only won one Six Nations title since 2010, which is unacceptable for a team this talented.
Wales at record low: Following their loss to Italy, the Welsh dropped below Georgia and to their lowest ever position in the World Rugby rankings. Like they were against France, Wales were utterly dreadful in Rome and didn’t seem to know what they were meant to be doing. It extended their Test losing streak to 14 and it makes you wonder when it will come to an end. You certainly can’t see them winning any of their remaining games in the 2025 Six Nations.
Warren Gatland: Speaking of Wales, the head coach may well be nearing the sack. The Welsh Rugby Union have vehemently stuck by the beleaguered Gatland, knowing that their problems run much deeper than the New Zealander, but ultimately the results surely have to tell at some point. Losing 14 matches in a row is simply unacceptable for any side and if they finish the Six Nations winless then it is difficult to see him surviving. Italy provided their best chance, but the players didn’t seem to know what they were doing, which reflects poorly on the coaches.
Standard Scotland: Rinse and repeat. Every year hopes are high for Scotland but consistently they disappoint, and Sunday was no different. It is not just these types of defeats that frustrate but the manner of them as they were simply not in the game against Ireland. Fans could accept a loss against a side as good as Easterby’s men if the performance was good, but this was nowhere near the acceptable standard. Irrespective of the injuries to Darcy Graham and Russell, Townsend’s men were so, so poor.
Rugby Australia: Even in their wildest dreams Wallabies fans could not have expected the turnaround in form and results since Schmidt took the reins. After a disastrous tenure under Eddie Jones that saw Australia crash out of the 2023 Rugby World Cup in the pool stages, the need for a steady hand and ability to unite and bring through the next batch of youngsters was a must. Boy did they get a gem in Schmidt, who has taken the Wallabies back to the top table and a team taken seriously again. Replacing the New Zealander with the right man is now vital as Schmidt departs later this year leaving a massive void.
READ MORE: World Rugby rankings: Ireland close in on Springboks as England climb while Wales hit new low
Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/whos-hot-and-whos-not-ireland-firm-favourites-for-glory-as-steve-borthwick-savours-win-over-fragile-france-while-dreadful-wales-lick-their-wounds
