Six Nations 2021 - Round 4 Verdict

Well, that was entertaining!

It was an all-too-predictable Wales victory in Rome yesterday in which the Italians dutifully rolled over in the first half to allow Wales a comfortable lead that never looked threatened. It must be immensely frustrating for Franco Smith, but Italy are getting worse as this competition progresses. Wales looked impressive enough, but it was little more than a training run. Next week in Paris will be an epic as they go for a Grand Slam that no one could possibly have predicted at the start of the competition.

On to Twickenham, and what a match – certainly the best of this year’s Six Nations so far. A fabulous France team set the tone with a try within 2 minutes, almost forcing England into displaying a real attacking intent that had only been seen sporadically in the last 12 months or so. I thought both teams were great, neither deserved to lose but England controlled territory really well in the second half and maybe deserved to edge it. Redemption of sorts for a number of English players and a boost ahead of next week’s trip to Dublin.

And so to Murrayfield this afternoon, and an utterly chaotic game. At times Ireland managed to exert some control over proceedings, only to see a 14 point second half lead eroded as Scotland threw the kitchen sink at them in the last quarter. Ultimately a late Sexton penalty sealed a deserved Irish win, and the Scots must now be wondering whether their opening win at Twickenham was merely a one-off flash in the pan. Italy up next will provide some light relief, but all that talk of winning the Championship is now a distant memory.

TF Team of the week:

15. Max Malins 14. Anthony Watson 13. George North 12. Owen Farrell 11. Damian Penaud 10. Mathieu Jalibert 9. Ben Youngs 1. Cian Healy 2. Ken Owens 3. Tadhg Furlong 4. Maro Itoje 5. James Ryan 6. Tadhg Beirne 7. Tom Curry 8. Billy Vunipola

Total Flanker – the older I get, the better I was