France vs Wales: 43-00

The opening game of the Six Nations saw an on-form French side brush aside Wales in one of the worst scorelines in Welsh history. The strongest team this week, Les Bleus combined a hugely physical pack with their audacious, game-breaking backline that utterly outclassed their opposition.

Contrary to Springbok’s opinion, Dupont continued to live up to his hype. Whenever the French attack stalled he was there, routinely converting difficult positions into seven points. Bielle-Biarrey, Attissogbe, and Ramos were an extremely dangerous back three, leaving us hardly noticing the absence of the world-class Penaud. 

The French backs are nothing without one of the strongest packs, however. With 26 post-contact meters – the highest of the weekend – Emmanuel Meafou is a devastating ball carrier who never fails to produce momentum in attack. Another French battering ram, Gregory Aldritt returned to his best, battering Welsh defenders while recycling the ball flawlessly.

Despite an utterly one-sided performance, the disappointing red card and ban to Ntamack leaves France without their talismanic 10 for their trip to London. Les Bleus are clearly the strongest team of the week, but the age-old question marks around consistency weigh heavy as they take on their much-improved nemeses, England.

Unfortunately, the Welsh really lived up to our expectations. Failing to offer anything resembling a coherent attack, the French defence was hardly challenged throughout.

Contrary to the scoreline, Jac Morgan was a standout returning from injury, topping tackles and producing dominant carries all while taking captaincy from the injured Dewi Lake. Loosehead prop, Gareth Thomas, has also gone underrated, having his strongest game in a Welsh jersey.

Despite bravery in defence, Ben Thomas is not an international quality 10 when taking the ball static and releasing any pressure with aimless kicks. There is a complete lack of physicality, chemistry or leadership within the backline, leading to an air of apathy surrounding this Welsh side.

Next week, Wales will play Italy. Unlike France, the Italians lack the resources to pull apart any defence, potentially producing a much tighter scoreline than many pundits have predicted. Regardless, it is make-or-break for the Welsh; can they return to their world-beating best or will Gatland and the WRU doom them to obscurity?

Scotland vs Italy: 31-19

Scotland came into this match as favourites, but with a lot to prove after losing to Italy last year. While the Italians were full of passion and drive as always, mistakes allowed Scotland’s most dangerous players to take over the game and win the Cuttitta Cup.

While Finn Russell was unusually quiet – something consistent amongst all fly halves across the round – the Scottish backline never fails to produce electric performances. This week, Huw Jones went up to another level, displaying world-class footwork to score a game-defining hat trick. He stood up hugely in the absence of captain, Sione Tuipulotu.

Where Zander Fagerson made 70 meters ball in hand and scored a turnover, Danilo Fiscetti was equally as brilliant, causing him problems in the tight while making 16 tackles. Giacomo Nicotera was also effective, coming up better than the questionable selection of Cherry over Ashman. At openside, captains Lamaro and Darge went up against one another, the latter coming out on top with his most physical performance in a Scotland shirt.

Italy felt a level below their Scottish in the backline. Lacking a scrumhalf alongside Paolo Garbisi being anonymous at 10 left them unable to cut Scotland apart. While he felt slow at times, Ignacio Brex played a key role in Italy’s fightback, alongside Tommasso Menoncello, his centre partner who continued to demonstrate that the team does have some serious talent.

Next weekend, Scotland will play Ireland at a packed Murrayfield in an attempt to break the disappointing spell of losses they have built up. Against Bundee Aki, who was highly destructive against England, Scotland will miss Tuipulotu in their starting XV.

For Italy to beat Wales and avoid the wooden spoon, key players like Garbisi, Lamaro, and Capuozzo will need to be far better than they were against Scotland.

Ireland vs England: 27-22

The most anticipated match of the week, Ireland vs England did not disappoint. Borthwick’s ‘maybe-men’ once again came up just short, while Farrell’s side proved their ability to force a difficult victory and position themselves as favourites to retain the Six Nations title for the third year in a row.

Tadhg Beirne was a standout of the Irish forwards, stealing lineouts, forcing turnovers, and scoring. This performance has all but sealed his inclusion in any Lions XV this summer. The back row also shone, with Baird and Doris reaching their typical heights and Conan providing solid impact from the bench.

The victory for Ireland came from their backline, however. Bundee Aki and James Lowe were immensely powerful, each shrugging off English defenders to create decisive scores. Crowley also silenced a lot of his critics, being a decisive part of his team’s strong second half.

Ireland will be expecting to beat Scotland next weekend. There is a feeling, however, that this side has reached its potential. So, if they want to overcome the French, they will have to find those extra gears.

When Borthwick named the England squad, many were confused by the inclusion of Tom and Ben Curry in the flanker positions. Both lack the height or strength to be dominant lineout operators and break the gain line –  which was evident throughout the match – but they were imperious over the breakdown to shut down the Irish. While he rubbed match officials the wrong way, Itoje was also at his subtle cheating best, even if he received the Etzebeth treatment.

The only player competing with Aki for the 12 position was Ollie Lawrence, who came into form with a hugely physical performance both offensively and defensively. If he was given an equally threatening centre beside him, rather than Slade who was once again average, then many of England’s problems in the back line would likely be solved.

Lacking Furbank and Feyi-Waboso, England has consistently struggled to produce a world-class attack since the 2019 World Cup semi-final. However, the career form of fly-half, Marcus Smith, alongside a drop goal strategy reminiscent of their infamous victory over Argentina could see them throw the French off their game.

Player of the Week

While Dupont continued to prove why he is the best player in the world, and Jac Morgan and the Curry brothers were talismanic in losing efforts, Huw Jones’ performance has placed him as a favourite for the 13 shirt for the British and Irish Lions tour and as my pick for the player of the week.

Team of the Week

1. Danilo Fiscetti (Italy)
2. Giacomo Nicotera (Italy)
3. Zander Fagerson (Scotland)
4. Maro Itoje (England)
5. Emmanuel Meafou (France)
6. The Curry Brothers (England)*
7. Jac Morgan (Wales)
8. Gregory Aldritt (France)
9. Antoine Dupont (France)
10. Marcus Smith (England)
11. James Lowe (Ireland)
12. Bundee Aki (Ireland)
13. Huw Jones (Scotland)
14. Louis Bielle-Biarrey (France)
15. Tomas Ramos (France)

16. Dan Sheehan (Ireland), 17. Gareth Thomas (Wales), 18. Uini Atonio (France), 19. Tadhg Beirne (Ireland), 20. Paul Boudehent (France), 21. Ben White (Scotland), 22. Ollie Lawrence (England), 23. Blair Kinghorn (Scotland).