The Six Nations title will go down to the wire next Saturday with points difference poised to be crucial after a spirited Wales blew the fight for first place open by defeating Ireland in Cardiff on Saturday.
Wales came out on top 23-16 and that, aligned with England’s 25-13 success over Scotland at Twickenham, means that there is a three-way tie at the top with England, Wales and Ireland all on six points.
England top the table thanks to a superior points difference of 37 compared to Ireland’s 33 and Wales’s 12. They also have the advantage of, when they take to the field for their final game against France at home next Saturday, knowing exactly what they need to do to win their first title since 2011.
Wales are first in action in Rome against Italy, before Ireland take on winless Scotland at Murrayfield.
Consequently, England will take on France knowing exactly what points margin they need to win by, if Wales and Ireland get the victories they are expected to record, to be the champions.
England’s points advantage could have been even better. They had two tries disallowed as they made hard going of seeing off the challenge of Scotland.
Jonathan Joseph’s early try had given England a great start, but Scotland fought back through a Mark Bennett try.
Further tries from George Ford, who also kicked 10 points, and Jack Nowell proved enough for England, with Nowell’s score, which came with five minutes to go, putting them above Ireland at the top of the table with a points difference that is four superior. Ireland had looked in a strong position to win their second successive title going into yesterday’s games, but they were beaten by a Welsh side who claimed their third straight win.
Wales wobbled but did not wilt in the face of fierce Irish pressure, and even a late penalty try which set up a grandstand finale proved insufficient.
“An absolutely unbelievable effort,” Sam Warburton, captaining Wales for a record 34th time, told the BBC. “I couldn’t have asked for any more.
“They just kept coming and coming at us. We had to keep our discipline.”
Ireland enjoyed 64 per cent possession, as their run of 10 successive wins came to an end, and made 461 metres against 195 by Wales, who forced a crucial seven turnovers.
Leigh Halfpenny took full advantage of early Irish indiscretions with four penalties inside 13 minutes. His boot ultimately proved the difference on the scoreboard, but it was heroic defence in the second half that carried the Welsh home as Ireland charged at them time and time again.
Wales looked to have repelled all Ireland could throw at them when replacement centre Scott Williams burst through for the opening try to put Wales 11 points clear with 19 minutes left.
But Ireland, with captain Paul O’Connell winning his 100th test cap, hit back with a converted penalty try before Halfpenny’s fifth penalty took Wales seven clear and they clung on.
Saint-Andre wants France to show pride
National pride and fighting spirit should be on the menu when stuttering France face Italy on Sunday in a game that could also serve as a World Cup rehearsal, France coach Philippe Saint-Andre said.
Saint-Andre was furious with France following a disappointing 20-13 defeat to Wales in Paris two weeks ago, and he has made eight changes for today’s clash at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.
After defeat to Wales effectively killed off France’s title hopes, Saint-Andre blasted his side for not living up to their hype.
Italy have at least two reasons to believe they can cause an upset. On France’s last visit to the Italian capital, in 2013, Italy stunned France 23-18 to extinguish any hopes they had of aiming for the grand slam.
Italy, along with Scotland, are candidates for the wooden spoon, but they are on a high, having returned from Murrayfield with a morale-boosting win two weeks ago.
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