Ireland thump France 38-17.
Their talisman having retired from internationals, the Sextonless Irish put on a demonstration in Marseille. The Irish forwards showed up for work. France were on their heels for all 80 minutes, and played the second half with 14 men after bone-headed plays by Willemse. France scraped together some decent, if penalty-prone phases but were never a threat to the Irish.
Italy challenge England but fall short 24-27.
Italy played an absorbing defense and counter attacked simply but effectively to go into half time leading the Brits 17-14. England came out fighting and seized the momentum and the lead 15 minutes into the second half, ITA 17 - 24 ENG. England dominated play, earning another penalty in the 69th minute to push the lead to 10. With replacements on and time winding down, Elliot Daly took a cheap shot, tripping his man, and earning a trip to the sin bin. Italy return the favor but lose a forward in the 80th minute. Tired legs all around kept the ball in play. In the 85th, Italy break through for an easy try - the English were gassed and this was the last play, the kick ended it 24-27. Italy earn a bonus point in the loss for their 3 tries. England only managed 2 tries but again relied on their superb kicking game.
A tale of two halves? Wales 26 - 27 Scotland
Scotland ran all over, around, through, and under Wales in the first half, and opened the second half strongly with a try to surge ahead of hosts Wales 0 - 27 Scotland. Wales comes alive in the 44th minute, going about their business and earning two tries by the 55th. WAL 12 - 27 SCO. The Scots caught a contagious case of sloppy and foul play, conceding a dozen penalties to the Welsh 4, culminating with the Scottish number 12 heading for the sin bin in the 59th. Wales converted on the ensuing phases to bring them to 3 tries and WAL 19 - 27 SCO in the 63rd. More penalties by Scotland allow the Welsh in again! 26-27 with 10 minutes to go! wow what a game. Scotland have had none of the ball this half and are looking gassed. They get it back in the 71st and a much needed break for an HIA timeout. Big man Crosbie took a knock and seems to have a blackened eye and a dislocated shoulder. Scotland back to full strength. Scotland push through 15 phases only to lose the ball on a blocked box kick and ensuing scramble. Wales ready to go for the win with 5 minutes to go. Forward pass by Wales inside the Scottish 22 with 2 and a half to go. Scotland on the ball. Scotand win a scrum and burst through down to the Wels 5 meter line. 12 phases later Van de Merwe of Scotland is over and grounds the ball.... on a Welsh foot, but it ends the game. Scotland hold on to eek one out.
Their talisman having retired from internationals, the Sextonless Irish put on a demonstration in Marseille. The Irish forwards showed up for work. France were on their heels for all 80 minutes, and played the second half with 14 men after bone-headed plays by Willemse. France scraped together some decent, if penalty-prone phases but were never a threat to the Irish.
Italy challenge England but fall short 24-27.
Italy played an absorbing defense and counter attacked simply but effectively to go into half time leading the Brits 17-14. England came out fighting and seized the momentum and the lead 15 minutes into the second half, ITA 17 - 24 ENG. England dominated play, earning another penalty in the 69th minute to push the lead to 10. With replacements on and time winding down, Elliot Daly took a cheap shot, tripping his man, and earning a trip to the sin bin. Italy return the favor but lose a forward in the 80th minute. Tired legs all around kept the ball in play. In the 85th, Italy break through for an easy try - the English were gassed and this was the last play, the kick ended it 24-27. Italy earn a bonus point in the loss for their 3 tries. England only managed 2 tries but again relied on their superb kicking game.
A tale of two halves? Wales 26 - 27 Scotland
Scotland ran all over, around, through, and under Wales in the first half, and opened the second half strongly with a try to surge ahead of hosts Wales 0 - 27 Scotland. Wales comes alive in the 44th minute, going about their business and earning two tries by the 55th. WAL 12 - 27 SCO. The Scots caught a contagious case of sloppy and foul play, conceding a dozen penalties to the Welsh 4, culminating with the Scottish number 12 heading for the sin bin in the 59th. Wales converted on the ensuing phases to bring them to 3 tries and WAL 19 - 27 SCO in the 63rd. More penalties by Scotland allow the Welsh in again! 26-27 with 10 minutes to go! wow what a game. Scotland have had none of the ball this half and are looking gassed. They get it back in the 71st and a much needed break for an HIA timeout. Big man Crosbie took a knock and seems to have a blackened eye and a dislocated shoulder. Scotland back to full strength. Scotland push through 15 phases only to lose the ball on a blocked box kick and ensuing scramble. Wales ready to go for the win with 5 minutes to go. Forward pass by Wales inside the Scottish 22 with 2 and a half to go. Scotland on the ball. Scotand win a scrum and burst through down to the Wels 5 meter line. 12 phases later Van de Merwe of Scotland is over and grounds the ball.... on a Welsh foot, but it ends the game. Scotland hold on to eek one out.
