1) Owens and Navidi make difference
All coaches talk about how fine the margins are at the top and as Wales aim at a second grand slam in three years and a fifth in the Six Nations era having gone through 2020 without a victory over a country in the world’s top 10, they can reflect on the closing seconds of their opening match against Ireland in Cardiff last month. The visitors had the chance of forcing a lineout five metres out, needing a try to win, but Billy Burns kicked the ball dead to light the red revival. Wales have used most of the players who struggled last year, but two who were absent in the autumn have made a difference. Ken Owens has added not just experience at hooker but is the jovial, upbeat character every team needs in their Covid bubble. In the back row the understated Josh Navidi, as he again showed in the romp in Rome, adds to the defence and attack, perpetually mobile. He is rarely mentioned as a potential Lion but he should be.
2) England miss Underhill
England were able to take more out of a victory than they had since the 2019 World Cup semi-final victory over New Zealand in Yokohama, but they left it late and had not Maro Itoje found his way over the line, ill discipline would again have been to blame for defeat. England conceded 12 penalties, two fewer than their average this tournament, but they all came in the last hour, half of them at the breakdown when they were in possession. They face Ireland, a team effective over the ball, in Saturday’s final round and after two matches back for Bath, Sam Underhill is the player they are missing. But for the penalties they gave away after a tackle, they would not have taken so long to see off France.
1 Wales 19pts (PD +63)
2 Ireland 11pts (+34)
3 France 10pts (+39)*
4 England 10pts (+5)
5 Scotland 6pts (+1)*
6 Italy 0pts (-142)
*Game in hand
Remaining fixtures
Scotland v France (TBC), Scotland v Italy (20 Mar, 2.15pm), Ireland v England (20 Mar, 4.45pm), France v Wales (20 Mar, 8pm).
3) Ford given space to conduct
Eddie Jones expects England to need an all-weather game by the 2023 World Cup as referees are encouraged to let games flow and a revelation on Saturday was the refinement they showed in attack, having laboured against Scotland early last month. They responded to France’s fast start but did not throw the ball around for the sake of it. Like their opponents, they recognised the value of taking advantage of the distance defenders have to concede at set-pieces and one of their best moves came from a lineout, the ball moved with alacrity to Jonny May on the left. It meant George Ford could act as conductor from outside-half rather than try to make something out of desperately slow ball and Henry Slade, at last, was able to have an influence. Saturday may be Irish stout compared to French champagne, but England should not be shy.
4) France fade after ferocious start
Fittingly for a match played in March, France started with a roar of a lion and finished with the silence of the lambs. Irrepressible for the first 40 minutes, as the game beat to the drum of Antoine Dupont, they faded in the second, despite being awarded nine penalties, as England managed to contain the scrum-half. They tried to hold on to what they had from too far out and while England said they knew Les Bleus, not a team renowned in the past for its conditioning, would fade in the final quarter, they just needed a healthier lead. France are an emerging side that has given the Six Nations a vigour and adrenaline rush it desperately needed. They will learn from defeat, as all good teams do, becoming more discerning for a start, and they should be at their pomp when the World Cup they are hosting kicks off.
5) Up to the nines for Gatland
Warren Gatland was at Twickenham on Saturday and Murrayfield the following afternoon, pondering his options for the summer Lions tour and relieved England showed signs of life. His problem in most positions will be who to leave out, but there is no outstanding scrum-half candidate for the Test side. Wales have tried five No 9s since the autumn, Conor Murray was on the bench at Murrayfield on Sunday, Ben Youngs only started one Test in Australia in 2013, while Ali Price is still making his way with Scotland. Gatland has favoured imposing scrum-halves like Murray and Mike Phillips, but may have to change emphasis.
6) Beirne brings versatility to Ireland
It has yet to be decided where the Lions series against South Africa will be staged, but wherever it is Gatland knows he will need a pack equipped to take a grip on South Africa, who used six forwards on the bench on their way to wrestling their way to the 2019 World Cup. Ireland took it to Scotland at Murrayfield on Sunday, reckoning they were physically superior, tackling low so ball-carriers went to ground or staying upright and clamping their hands around the ball. Tadhg Beirne was playing at No 6 having appeared in the second row in previous games, using his strength to force turnovers and score a try. It is not a position lacking contenders.
