With the second weekend of the Six Nations in the bag, the battle for the Grand Slam has become a two-horse race between England and Wales.
Thankfully, there’s no equine flu infecting this duel as the two thoroughbreds are due to face-off in a Cardiff eliminator in the next round. But with the third weekend still two weeks away, we’re here to look back at the second round where Scotland faltered, Ireland rebounded, Wales laboured and England dazzled.
The action got underway on Saturday afternoon in an all-Celtic affair as Scotland played host to Ireland. Looking to replicate their shock victory from two years ago, the Scots knew they were up against it, but after beating Italy in round one and seeing Ireland defeated by England, hopes of an upset were bright.
But they were quickly squashed by a more familiar Ireland display as Connor Murray, Jacob Stockdale and Keith Earls got the 2018 champions back to winning ways in a 22-13 victory, with Scotland’s sole response coming through Sam Johnston.
Next it was to Rome for the evening kick-off, and despite pushing Wales hard on home turf, Italy were unable to avoid a 19th consecutive defeat that extends their unwanted Six Nations losing record. The home side did at least manage to score the first try through flanker Braam Steyn, but Wales proved to have too much firepower in the locker as Josh Adams and Owen Watkin went over in the second half to secure the 26-15 win.
The weekend’s action wrapped up at Twickenham as England looked to go two from two against France, and they did exactly that in emphatic style. A 29-minute Jonny May hat-trick set the tone, and after Henry Slade sealed the bonus point before half-time, a penalty try and Owen Farrell completed the 44-8 rout in the second half – with France’s only reply coming from wing Damian Penaud.
So who made our Six Nations team of the weekend in round two? Click on the gallery above to find out.
