France starting to find their feet and form
France had promised to be good at the 2015 World Cup, a pledge that seemed increasingly hollow in the age of Philippe Saint-André. It looks a much more accurate prediction now. The forwards have a focal point in Louis Picamoles; the backs look dangerous, with Yoann Huget in particular expressing with his running a real joy at being involved in this project. And they have control at half-back at last with Frédéric Michalak, a figure of authority. It is almost too good to be true. It was only a warm-up game but this was so good that France were even able to ease off at the end and allow themselves to look a little vulnerable. They wouldn’t want to be too good in August. Eddie Butler
• Late tries add gloss to England’s dismal display in defeat to France
• France 25-20 England: how Stuart Lancaster’s players in Paris rated
Cipriani shines despite England’s deficiencies
The whole point of warm-up games is to uncover as many problems as solutions. But you don’t want the questions to be bigger than the answers. Why is the line-out so uneasy? Were France really so very good at the scrummage? What has happened to England’s discipline at the breakdown? Behind a pack playing (twice) with such uncharacteristic lack of cohesion it is almost impossible to shine in the backs but Danny Cipriani managed to do just that. Was it because France were coasting? That’s a nasty question. And did England ever want Cipriani to be an answer? That’s even trickier. EB
• Cipriani England’s big winner as others flop against France
• England go into World Cup looking badly exposed after loss to France
• Lancaster praises impact of replacements in England defeat
Allan starts to show promise as Italy’s No 10
Italy’s problem feels as old as the Colosseum. That would of course be somewhat harsh on Diego Domínguez but since his second retirement in 2003, the No10 shirt has proved a cross too heavy to bear for so many. An injury to Kelly Haimona, starter in four of Italy’s Six Nations matches this year, means the Azzurri are overly reliant on Tommaso Allan, the former Scotland under-20 fly-half who faced four of his former age-grade team-mates in Turin. Italy have lost all seven of the Tests Allan has started since he was plucked from Scotland’s grasp but on Saturday there was promise. He dovetailed well in a new-half back partnership with Guglielmo Palazzani, kicked his goals – not a strong suit of Domínguez’s successors – and was involved in some excellent interplay from the Italian backs. If he continues like this then Italy, written off not long ago with their players effectively in revolt, will certainly make life uncomfortable for France and Ireland, the expected top two in their World Cup pool. A brief mention too for Samuela Vunisa, who joins Saracens upon Italy’s elimination. He was voted man of the match after an impressive shift at No8 – no mean feat considering the shoes he was filling. Gerard Meagher
• Pyrgos’ late try ends Scotland’s losing streak as Italy beaten
Scotland’s midfield starting to look strong
The noises coming out of the Scotland camp in the bulidup effectively amounted to ‘win at all costs’ and it’s a good job they did too. However, aside from ending a losing streak that stretched eight months, there was little to raise the heart rate. That was, at least, until the match winner, Henry Pyrgos and Peter Horne, who made one fine break shortly before the crucial try, came off the bench. Horne picked up from where he left off in Dublin the week before and is proving another option for Vern Cotter in midfield – an area of the pitch that is swiftly become an area of real strength. Matt Scott was probably the pick of Scotland’s starters in Turin while still to come are Alex Dunbar and Mark Bennett, two centres of real pedigree. Richie Vernon rarely got the ball against Italy but his education at centre continues apace. Wing, on both sides, is still a problem but there is of course Scotland’s most potent weapon, Stuart Hogg, to return. Finn Russell is yet to feature so will probably play at 10 in the return match against Italy on Saturday. Or why not Hogg? It would be a bold move but Scotland cannot afford to have their best player on the periphery. GM
