Scotland 9 - Ireland 14

close game but Ireland are looking the more dangerous on the attack

So once more it's come to Scotland v Italy for the wooden spoon ;)

 

Well done England for beating the French:)

So once more it's come to Scotland v Italy for the wooden spoon ;)

 

Why don't they just save time and have an automatic play-off for it every year? :P

 

Well done England for beating the French:)

 

:cool:

great game going on in Italy

 

latest Italy 22-21 France, the visitors were two tries and conversion ahead at half time!

France beaten!

shame on us :cry:

What a result for Italy!

:clap: Italy

Well done Italy, no wooden spoon for you this year.

 

Has the hard-as-nails Welsh got the roof closed again?

Italy 22-21 France

 

Italy secured their biggest ever win as they came from behind to beat France for the first time in the Six Nations.

 

Mirco Bergamasco gave Italy an early lead but a Vincent Clerc try and Morgan Parra penalty made it 8-3 to France. A second Bergamasco penalty cut the gap but Parra added his second penalty and converted his own try to make it 18-6. Italy hit back through an Andrea Masi try and Bergamasco's boot, and although Parra landed a third kick, two more Bergamasco penalties saw Italy home.

 

When France went 18-6 ahead with 30 minutes remaining it seemed as though Italy were going to slip quietly to defeat. But they found new reserves of passion to secure only their second win in 32 games against their continental neighbours and their first on home soil, their sole previous triumph coming in 1997 when they defeated France 40-32 in Grenoble.

 

Former England and Lions legend Jeremy Guscott said the Azzurri were well worth their historic win after near misses against Ireland and Wales in Rome earlier in the tournament. "I thought it was going to be the same result when Bergamasco missed those two kicks in the second half, but Italy dug deep and deserved their victory. It was absolutely fantastic," said the BBC pundit.

 

For France, the defending Grand Slam champions, it is another chastening result in a difficult season for coach Marc Lievremont, who has been heavily criticised for his constantly changing team selections and conservative approach. Hammered at home by Australia in the autumn and beaten by old enemies England last time out, defeat by a nation they have always regarded as very much the little brother when it comes to rugby will not go down well with the volatile French rugby public.

 

The hosts had made seven changes, possibly with an eye on a potential Wooden Spoon decider against Scotland in their final game, but despite Italy's reputation as fine scrummagers, France soon established dominance up front. Bergamasco, who landed six kicks out of eight, put the hosts ahead with an early penalty, but Les Bleus did not trail for long.

 

They hit back with a fine try sparked initially by Francois Trinh-Duc's interception, and although Italy managed to clear their lines, Maxime Medard initiated a superb counter-attack. The full-back beat several men on a mazy run up to the Italian 10m line, France then swept the ball across field to Clerc and the veteran French flyer chipped over Gonzalo Canale and won the race to touch down.

 

Parra could not convert from wide out and minutes later the French were denied a second try after they won a scrum against the head for the second time in quick succession. Aurelien Rougerie tried to burst over under the posts but the Clermont Auvergne captain lost the ball as he tried to stretch over.

 

Parra stretched the visitors' lead with a simple penalty after another powerful scrum but Bergamasco cut the gap to 8-6 at the break as he replied in kind. Italy started the second half brightly with fly-half Luciano Orquera springing Masi through the midfield to spark a threatening attack, but it came to an end when Orquera kicked possession away with a poor grubber 10m from the visitors' line.

 

It seemed emblematic of an inability to take their chances which looked like costing Italy dear, and the visitors soon made them pay as Parra, who had hit the post shortly before the break, slotted his second penalty after the hosts played themselves into trouble in their own 22 rather than clear their lines.

 

Despite their less than dazzling form France were looking the more dangerous team with ball in hand and they secured their second try with half an hour to play. Trinh-Duc stepped through a crowded Italy midfield before feeding Parra to cross under the posts for his first international try.

 

With the number nine adding the conversion to make it 18-6 it looked as though France were on their way, and Italy's cause was not helped when Bergamasco failed to hit the target with two kickable penalties. But just before the hour mark blind-side flanker Alessandro Zanni and winger Tommaso Benvenuti opened France up down the left and although the 20-year-old Benvenuti was brought down five metres out, Italy recycled and Masi scored down the blind-side.

 

Bergamasco rediscovered his kicking boots to convert from the touchline and when he added a penalty four minutes later the hosts were suddenly back within two points. It was an extraordinary turnaround and although Parra extended France's lead to five points with his third penalty, Bergamasco replied in kind to keep the hosts right in the hunt as the game entered the last 10 minutes.

 

The decisive moment came with five minutes left on the clock when Italy were awarded a penalty wide out on the left. Bergamasco stepped up to drill the ball between the posts but there was still time for France to hit back. They manoeuvred the chance for a drop-goal but failed to take it, before being awarded the put-in at three consecutive scrums.

 

Twice the front rows stood up with Italy on the retreat but referee Bryce Lawrence declined to award the visitors a penalty. When the French were forced to pick up from the third scrum Imanol Harinordoquy was collared, the ball would not emerge from the ruck and Lawrence blew the final whistle.

 

It sparked a roar from the crowd worthy of the Colosseum as the Azzurri and their delirious fans prepared to celebrate a famous victory long into the Roman night.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/9417508.stm

 

Wales 19-13 Ireland

 

Controversial try helps Wales beat Ireland

 

Wales kept alive their championship hopes with a gritty Six Nations win over Ireland in Cardiff on Saturday.

 

Ireland had led 13-9 at half-time thanks to Brian O'Driscoll's record-equalling 24th championship try. But a crafty line-out move caught the Irish flat-footed as Mike Phillips broke away to score, though Wales had used a different ball at the line-out.

 

James Hook converted that score and kicked four out of five penalties as Wales survived a late Irish onslaught. The visitors, needing a converted try to sneak victory, had created an overlap in the left corner.

 

But replacement Paddy Wallace, with Keith Earls outside him, opted to cut back inside, perhaps conscious of trying to make the conversion easier, and the chance was eventually lost. Ireland had lost only once in Cardiff since 1983, winning 10 games and drawing one in their past 12 visits, including their last visit in 2009 when a 17-15 win secured their first Grand Slam for 61 years.

 

But Wales upset that pattern to maintain their momentum after back-to-back victories in Scotland and Italy. Warren Gatland's men now travel to France, shocked by their first ever defeat in Italy earlier on Saturday, with a sniff of the championship if either Scotland or Ireland can derail England's title charge.

 

Wales, having been led out by 50-cap men Phillips and Ryan Jones, made a nervy start from Ireland's kick-off as Lee Byrne's attempted clearance was charged down by Eoin Reddan. Unfortunately for the scrum-half he took the full force of the ball in his face and that was the end of his game after just one minute, with Peter Stringer coming on to replace the stricken Leinster man.

 

Stringer had an immediate impact as he drew several Welsh defenders before off-loading to Tommy Bowe, who in turn sent O'Driscoll over the line for the opening try. With that score the celebrated centre equalled Scotland great Ian Smith's championship try record of 24 from 78 years ago, while Ronan O'Gara's conversion saw the fly-half become the fifth man to reach 1000 Test points.

 

O'Gara nearly conjured a second breakthrough with a chip over the top that Luke Fitzgerald did well to gather. But Wales lock Alun Wyn Jones dug deep at the breakdown to turn over possession and set up a counter. The home side suffered their own early injury blow on 13 minutes when prop Craig Mitchell was forced off with a dislocated shoulder, to be replaced by John Yapp.

 

Yapp went to loose-head, with Paul James shifting across the front row to take up the tight-head role. Despite that setback Wales worked their way into the Irish 22 thanks to a perceptive long punt by Byrne. Ireland coughed up a penalty under pressure in defence but Hook saw his kick from tight on the left touchline ricochet back off the post.

 

Ireland gathered but O'Gara was unable to get much distance on his touch-finder and Wales launched another series of forays from the line-out. Ireland's discipline again failed them, but this time in front of the posts, Hook sent his kick sailing through the uprights for Wales' first points.

 

One Ireland player firmly on his defensive game was Tommy Bowe, the wing seemingly having some inside knowledge of Welsh intentions thanks to his Ospreys training. Bowe's regional team-mate Shane Williams was catching the eye for Wales with some typical broken play runs, while flanker Sam Warburton was always on the attacker's shoulder in support.

 

Another penalty for not rolling away at a ruck allowed Hook to kick his second penalty, bringing Wales back to just 6-7 behind as the half-hour mark approached. But Ireland soon restored their four-point lead when James was penalised for collapsing a scrum and O'Gara dissected the posts from the 10-metre line.

 

Wales replied with a long-range Leigh Halfpenny kick just inside the Irish half, only for the visitors to surge towards the Welsh posts thanks to Sean O'Brien's bullocking run. Ireland swung left, spotting space outside, but the crucial pass went between Fitzgerald's legs with the line at his mercy. But Ireland had the consolation of a penalty conceded by the scrambling Wales defence and O'Gara kicked his side to a 13-9 lead at the break.

 

A steady drizzle descended through the open Millennium Stadium roof as the second half got under way, making what were already slippy conditions more treacherous. Equally slick was the way Wales took the lead, as Matthew Rees picked out Phillips peeling around the front of a line-out.

 

The move caught Ireland napping and the scrum-half streaked away down the left touchline to score in the corner, Hook converting for a 16-13 lead. But TV replays showed that in taking a quick throw-in, Rees had used a different ball - handed to him by a ball-boy - to the one that Jonny Sexton had sliced into touch, which is against rugby's Law 19.2.

 

When referee Jonathan Kaplan asked his Scottish touch judge Peter Allan 'Is it the correct ball?' however, Allan answered in the affirmative and Kaplan awarded the try, much to the evident anger of the Irish side. The visitors almost hit back immediately, only for Donncha O'Callaghan to pass forward to Fitzgerald as the full-back burst over the line.

 

Referee Jonathan Kaplan had been playing advantage, though, giving Jonathan Sexton - on for O'Gara - the chance to level the scores but the fly-half sent his kick wide. As the game entered its final quarter Ireland battered away at the Welsh 22, with Paul O'Connell leading his troops by example.

 

But the red shirts defended with bravery and discipline to hold out, eventually turning over possession to lift the siege. Hook added his fourth penalty to give Wales some breathing space on the scoreboard and open a six-point gap.

 

A frantic final five minutes saw Wales hanging on by their finger-tips, as Ireland stretched them one way then the other. A gaping overlap opened up on the left but Paddy Wallace opted to cut back inside rather than present Earls with a certain try, and Ireland's last hope was gone.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/9420401.stm

A frustrated Andy Robinson has seen his side fail to deliver so far in the Six Nations but with players such as Kelly Brown, Richie Gray, Alastair Kellock and Sean Lamont, if they can cut out the errors they could cause England problems

 

England v Scotland

 

England have their sights set on a first Six Nations title since 2003 and few expect Scotland to halt their charge. The Scots have not won at Twickenham since 1983, and have yet to pick up a point in this year's championship. England, by contrast, have won three out of three and took a huge step towards winning the Grand Slam by beating last year's champions France two weeks ago. True, Scotland have beaten Ireland in Dublin in the past year and also stunned world champions South Africa at Murrayfield in November. But recent performances - particularly the 24-6 loss to Wales - have been as bad as those were good.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/9422279.stm

 

Scotland to win then, anyone?

 

England 22-16 Scotland

 

England moved within one victory of a first Grand Slam since 2003 as they finally saw off battling Scotland.

 

A tight first half ended 9-9, with three Toby Flood penalties cancelled out by two Chris Paterson penalties and a Ruaridh Jackson drop-goal.

 

Flood put England 12-9 up as Scotland lost John Barclay to the sin-bin.

 

England added a converted Tom Croft try and although Max Evans grabbed a converted try for the Scots, a Jonny Wilkinson penalty confirmed victory.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/9422279.stm

You could almost feel Johnson's sigh of relief in the wind. That was one hell of an effort by Scotland. Another year they would have won that.

At least the for Welsh/Irish game you can't blame the ref as he asked if it was the same ball and after he got told incorrectly that it was he awarded the try.

 

I would say unless England lose heavily & the Welsh win heavily next weekend the 6 nations cup is coming back to England. (England currently on +67, Wales on +25)

Haven't seen our game vs Italy cause I wasn't there but what a shock to see we loose against Italy?!! (no offence to Italy intended). In here all the medias are bashing Lièvremont's coaching and a full batch of players will not go to the WC after this game... (Chabal for instance (YEAH!!) and Jauzion :bigcry: )

 

anyway, one more game to go but I hope that England will do the grand slam!! They've been exceptionnal from beginning to end!

If Scotland beat Italy next week than Italy has the wooden spoon

If Italy draw or win than Scotland gets the wooden spoon

 

Come on Italy!

 

anyway, one more game to go but I hope that England will do the grand slam!! They've been exceptionnal from beginning to end!

 

:smug:

Scotland 21-8 Italy

 

 

 

Scotland (6) 21

Tries: De Luca, Walker Cons: Paterson Pens: Paterson 3

Italy (8) 8

Tries: Masi Cons: Pens: Bergamasco

Scotland turned in a powerful second-half display to beat Italy at Murrayfield

 

 

By Colin Moffat

 

Scotland ended their long try-drought at Murrayfield to beat Italy and avoid last place in the Six Nations table.

Andrea Masi took advantage of some sloppy home defending to score an early try and the visitors were 8-6 ahead after a tight first half.

But the Scots dominated after the break and Nick De Luca nipped over the line, while Nikki Walker powered through for a second touchdown soon after.

Chris Paterson added the rest of the home points with his trusty boot.

Scotland head coach Andy Robinson promised an offloading game before kick off and the home side moved the ball around with confidence in the opening minutes.

Italy held on with some solid challenges and Scotland had to be content with a fourth-minute penalty from Paterson.

The early feel-good mood among the home support continued when Richie Gray rose impressively to steal the first lineout of the day and there was a let-off when the erratic Mirco Bergamasco skewed a penalty wide.

However, Scotland's bad habit of conceding early tries continued as Masi capitalised on a slip from Joe Ansbro and brushed off a feeble Walker tackle to thunder through for a touchdown.

Bergamasco made a better fist of his second kick and was unlucky to see the penalty strike the outside of a post.

Scotland responded well, with Sean Lamont and Joe Ansbro making superb breaks before Simon Danielli was held up inches from the try-line.

Gray failed in a bid to bulldoze through the disciplined ranks of blue shirts and it was left to Paterson to knock over another penalty to edge the hosts back in front.

The lively Ansbro left the field with a taped up knee and Scotland lost their way for the remainder of the first half as Italy began to enjoy more of the ball.

And it was third time lucky for Bergamasco, who slotted over a straightforward penalty, given for Danielli not rolling away from a tackle.

Scotland were presented with a third penalty on the stroke of half time but Paterson, usually so reliable with the boot, could not split the posts from a difficult angle and the visitors went into the interval in front by two points.

Early in the second half, a slack pass from Alberto Sgarbi gave Lamont the chance to kick ahead and chase, but the centre, more often deployed on the wing, was left embarrassed as he was outdone for pace by hooker Leonardo Ghiraldini, who fell on the ball to save Italy.

Scotland continued to press and a huge cheer went up on 46 minutes when a run of eight Murrayfield games without a try was broken.

As Robinson's men laid siege to the line, Nathan Hines slipped away a deft pass and De Luca, on for Ansbro, gathered to squeeze over in the corner. Paterson again failed to find the target from out wide.

Scotland had Italy pinned back and a second try followed soon after when Walker collected a short pass from Paterson, glimpsed a gap, and powered through a series of flimsy challenges to score.

Normal service was resumed when Paterson added the extras, taking him to 400 Six Nations points.

Scotland's record-points scorer then added to his tally with a penalty right in front of the posts as the Italians lost their shape in defence.

Italy pressed gamely in the final 10 minutes but a promising move broke down just short of the line due to crossing and a fabulous tackle from Paterson brought Luke McLean to a halt when the replacement full-back looked sure to score.

Even Scotland beated Italy.. :facepalm:

 

Last game tonight vs Wales...

Even Scotland beated Italy.. :facepalm:

 

 

:P

:P

:dozey:

Really poor performance by England and a very good performance by Ireland. But what's the point in Ireland just turning it on for one game against England? Unfortunately for them they won't be playing England in every game at the World Cup. They've still got a lot to prove.

at least we won our last game...