Highlights - Week 3 Six Nations Rugby

Good evening. Another international weekend which provided plenty of

controversy, occasional moments of brilliance, some extraordinary

defence, but England are still on course, potentially, for a Grand

Slam. A lot to discuss over the next hour or so.

Without further ado, let's go to quicken ham yesterday at tea time

where the 80,000-plus were calling out for a match ofvy bransy to take

their minds off the cold. Halted for a moment. Poite has used

it once. A fumble at the back there. He's away and nobody knows why he's

there, but Vunipola crashing to the line.

Oh, just out in the corner. He checks himself here and decides,

no, I am going for it. Ireland did very well, great tackling coming in.

So Youngs looks back and goes to Farrell. He slips it away to Ford

though, under the attentions of McCloskey and Henshaw. Joseph and

Vunipola - what a man he is. What a power, taken down by Stander. What a

power. Getting closer now and England up to

the line, just short. It is right on the line.

And the referee will look. It may well be a try.

Try, yes or no? And then check the double movement. That shot has

McCloskey. Then it is the surge from the players behind coming in. It is

great - there we go. I think it will be given as a try. That is the best

angle, clearly. OK, that is clearly a movement, it

is a penalty kick. Well, it will not be a try. List on the the reaction

from the crowd. Romain is doing his job.

No try. England knocking away again on the

door and getting through there to within five minutes of the line.

-- metres of the line. Hask hask can't get it down. As he went to

stretch it down, he was repelled and England have to try again.

Itoje... Youngs having a what is available.

Not the prettiest of passes. And Ford now scurrying away, looking for

anyway through. Suddenly England are eight metres or so further back.

Vunipola tries to make up that lost ground.

In goes Youngs again. Just slows down though. Ireland get

a chance to set themselves... What a tackle on the line that was by Rory

Best. England have been close - twice now. Dominant in possession. :

Rory Best, what a fantastic effort to keep Haskell out there.

Sexton gives it on to Henshaw. Henshaw tries to slip it on, which

he. Toner met well by Kruis. Two second

rows coming together and penalty to England. Side entry is the

infringement for England. James Haskell stopping the Irish

support to come in to clear out Dan Cole.

Makes the adjustment and a kick from Owen Farrell. England lead, but

narrowly. That one goes to Stander.

Then on come Ireland. Laid back by Jack McGrath.

Then on come Ireland. CJ Stander once more.

Rory Advantage to Ireland. Penalty. Foul

play is the infringement against England. Ireland with this

play is the infringement against attack here. Just see what develops,

knowing they have a penalty coming the decision has been

knowing they have a penalty coming referee - late tackle, we are

hearing. Tackle. Joseph and Nowell... Might

hearing. Tackle. for the penalty now, which they do.

hearing. Tackle. We'll have a look at the

infringement that has been called. Potential against Haskell. That is

infringement that has been called. just bad. That

infringement that has been called. James Haskell.

Two things against you, with a shoulder in front.

So, Haskell is off. shoulder in front.

men for the next ten minutes. A forearm rather than getting his

whole arm around. That is forearm rather than getting his

Now England are really under the cosh. In these moments

Now England are really under the which might cost his side. Can

Ireland make England pay? Nine-and-a-half minutes

Ireland make England pay? And Ireland try to use that extra

man. Great defensive work by England. Rory Best and Roberts takes

him. Now the green England. Rory Best and Roberts takes

takes him. Now the green shirts come thunldserring down. Robshaw from the

side. Ireland are driving to the line and just short.

Murray reaches. And he has got there. It is a try for Ireland.

They are going to check was on the line. By the reaction

Conor Murray knew that it is fine on the line.

Ben Youngs gets too high. the line.

gets under him and catches Marler's forearm.

A line try. That was a very easy decision to be

made. Off and running and Mike Brown

carries it deep. Ben Youngs now. The opposite scrum-half, gives it on to

Farrell. Can Nowell make his way around. Downed in the 22. Nowell

still going. England up to within seven to eight metres of the line.

Forwards do their bit. Still there for England. Is it there for a fair

competition, says the referee? No. England's ball. Vunipola.

And England closing in on the Ireland line once again. They trail

by a point. And the gap is beginning to appear.

It might be there for England. It will be a try it is a try. It is

Anthony Watson who scores. They have their try now. Watson scores once

again. Ben Youngs draws that first defender, slapped down, would have

been a penalty. Lovely hands over the top. . Robshaw

of all people. A chance for Vunipola to use all

that might. To Watson and Watson, five metres from the line.

A real pace about England now. Once more, over the head of Haskell it

goes. Out and wide. It more, over the head of Haskell it

try. It will be Mike Brown this time and Brown is in. England have a

second try. They are moving clear at Twickenham.

The passing for much of the first half on both sides has been poor

behind the player there, bang on, out in front, so everyone can run on

to it and Mike Brown into the corner.

Josh van der Flier carries for England. Sexton out into the open.

Has support. It is Henshaw for the line.

Jack Nowell with a covering tackle. What a moment in this match.

Henshaw, racing down on the corner. Nowell came across and we will look

at it and study it. I think that he got to him. Oh, Jack Nowell, what a

fantastic effort that was. Henshaw is a big man as well.

No try. No try. What a fantastic effort,

Jack Nowell. You would not say it is textbook - his head is in the wrong

place. It is about stopping the man. Legs in the air. Dropped it. He's

gone for the full combo. And in the context of this match, a

try there put Ireland right back into it. They are making some ground

now. Sexton on to Henshaw. Spins his way forward.

The crowd sings for England. Still with Ireland... Dillane in the

open. The two new boys, Dillane. Just held short. Five metres out. A

great break by the youngster and Ireland trying to get bodies there.

Advantage to Ireland. They need this try now. England were

desperate. Haskell comes through. A penalty to Ireland. I was looking at

the referee there, he said the ball is out. Brown is entitled, so long

as he comes to the middle. You can see his head there. He went nor the

ball. Let's hear the decision. To continue with the penalty. It was

accidental by White. The right decision. A lot of fans in the crowd

would feel otherwise. It is a sin-binning for Danny Care. They

will finish without Danny Care. Only nine minutes remaining. So, can

Ireland make this pay? Ireland had the initial shove there.

Up to within three metres of the line. Looking for the try to give

them life in this match. Dillane is there. Lays it back. Wide it goes

now. Is there anything doing for Ireland? Seven minutes remaining in

this game. Trying to barge their way over. Toner was there. Right it goes

now and Josh van der Flier, can he get it down? They celebrate. England

say they are under the ball. I think that is held up.

If it is, it is great defence. It was Daly and Kruis coming in. Oh,

that is going to be a tough decision. It looks like he might get

the nose of the ball on the line. A good job to get his body behind

it. Is it a try, yes or no? You can say it is a try. Is there a reason I

cannot award the try? No clear evidence that the ball was

grounded. When I call you... OK. No try and an

attacking scrum to come. Five metres out.

England, a big shove on this time and straight into the penalty. The

celebrations are wild and it is as if the game might have been won. And

it might have been in that moment. Vunipola take a bow, that is it. It

is what was needed at that point in the game. Under a huge amount of

pressure. Well, they are running out of juice

here Ireland. England are snuffing out every runner. Every piece of

play. Doing well to hold on to the ball there, Ireland. We are looking

from a turn over from England to kill off this game and there it is.

George Kruis, well done. Will we finish with a flourish? It goes out

from Daly and the game will be over. England have won - they have their

third victory. It has been very hard in this second half. They win 21-10.

I remember looking around the crowd at kick-off, 82,000 people there, it

was a great occasion. It was a good game of rugby. The Boss thinks we

missed some opportunities out there, and I fully agree. The good side

like Ireland don't crack easily. First and foremost, happy with the

result, I'm sure there is plenty to work on, discipline top of the list.

. Two yellow cards sour the effort? It was a good test. Haskell went to

the bin, that was justified. Danny Care lying on the player after the

line break, justified. For the players to work through those

scenarios is a worthwhile experience. Obviously we don't want

people in the bin but it is a worthwhile experience. The

frustration is we had a few chances but the other frustration is when

you get a head of England you can't afford to let them get back on. On

the back of some good momentum, Billy Vunipola gave them some great

momentum going forward and then they got quick ball in behind that. Our

defensive line got a bit short on the 22 and they didn't need many

invitations to finish. Wales next, how much are you looking forward to

going toe to toe with Warren Gatland? I just told them I'm going

to put a self-imposed media ban on me so I will let Warren do the

talking in the media. You won't be able to help yourself. I will be

able to help myself. We will talk about England in a

moment, as you look at the statistics of that match, which the

second half was markedly better than the first half in terms of

entertainment. Let's talk about Ireland. Was that what you expected

given what had gone before? I'm a bit disappointed as an Irishman. I

would want them to win. I thought they put themselves in a position to

do so on a couple of occasions but they were under huge pressure for

vast elements of the game, hanging on by a thread. A good defensive

line in the first half kept them in the game because in many respects

they had no business being there. The analysis of this championship

seems to be so much more than northern hemisphere and southern

hemisphere, everybody has a view, it's the first time you went back to

Twickenham, what did you make? The colour and the vibrancy has gone,

partly to do with the weather. Everybody was wrapped up. It was

very much a Six Nations match, back in the World Cup, it was intense and

physical and enjoyable for the purist, difficult better

second-half. I was impressed with Ireland initially but they didn't

have the clinical nature. They missed a couple of chances, real

cutting edge chances and England on the other hand took the chances they

got. What is your verdict on England?

I enjoyed their performance, Eddie Jones is doing a wonderful job for

them, they are developing well. The defence was good, good line speed,

one-on-one tackles generally well made, and that forced Ireland to

make mistakes. In the attack they have changed the shape of attacking

recently and it's good. They have options left and right on the

breakdown, but they are creating opportunities and that is good. They

got to mail them, which they did in the second half. In the first half

they had at least three opportunities with overlaps. If they

get quick ball here they opportunities with overlaps. If they

Ford, Joseph, Watson and Brown. He can see the space they need to

attack and unfortunately on this occasion Ireland turned it over.

They have a chat at half time now and they know what they are doing.

Kearney is trapped in this ruck, Danny Care quick to get the ball and

release it. Keith Earls is normally on the left wing but he has come

around to take Rob Kearney's place and he's still out of position. We

know there must be space out wide on the right, or rust there is no way

he can get back. England have the whole backline ready to attack the

space, the fraud -Farrell access and they walk it in. They had three

opportunities like that in the first half and two in the second that they

nailed. -- Ford -Farrell. One of the two key figures in the match, the

referee and TMO. After all of these years doing this we are still having

conversations about the TMO getting decisions right, or in the case

yesterday in one instance, wrong. What do we do about this? We need

the TMO but there needs to be more clarity and accuracy. I think this

is actually a try from Dylan Hartley. It looks like there was a

pushover. That's the guys pushing on, but in real time that is very

quick. In slow motion amazingly it's very slow! Surprisingly! Surprise,

surprise. This is the perfect reason where the TMO works perfectly, try

into the corner, in real-time that is impossible to see but slow it

down, he is into touch and the ball is lost just before downward

pressure gets it onto the ground. The next thing we are going to show

is where the TMO doesn't work because palpably in this incident in

all common sense of rugby this is a tri-. This is down to the protocol

for me. They can't get any closer. If they were any closer they would

be binding on in the ruck. The situation with that is, does he get

down to the ground? He asked if there was any reason not to give a

try. We can see it again and anybody who has played the game at any

level, you know where a try is scored and a try is scored here.

Before TMO this is a try. He bounced off Daly, everybody in the studio

said that was a try. The referee abdicated responsibility in this

instance. I think he's in the best position asking if it is a try, yes

or no? The TMO could not see the ball being grounded. He should have

asked if they is any reason why I can't? Definitely the ball was

touched on the ground. He should ask later. I think there may be a try,

can you have a look at it? He asked if there was any reason not to award

the Triumph there was no reason not to. Another thing that may have

influenced going forward, Wales in a fortnight's time and they could be

without Mike Brown if he is cited for the incident towards the end

where Danny Care was sin-binned. What is our verdict? Is this

reckless play? Foul play? Is it just part of the game? It is just part of

the game in my view. Mike Brown went for the ball. In my view Conor

Murray could have got his head out of the way, he's trying to

play-the-ball and he's putting his head there. Mike Brown is trying to

play-the-ball. That is rubbish, you have to be careful what you are

doing with it. Why can't he moved his head? You cannot kick the ball

out of his hands. You got to let go of the ball on the ground. You

cannot referee it yourself as a player. He kicked through him in the

face. He will be sited. But he had to let go of the ball. Can I be the

neutral referee? You can. You can be the TMO! I think it was reckless,

there was no intent but the boot connected with the face. Reckless in

what sense? What else could he do? Put his foot on it and hold it? If

you make contact with the head, irrespective. He's not looking at

the head, he's looking at the ball. It doesn't matter, he's in control.

Why is it reckless? He made contact with the man's head. You are allowed

to use your foot in a ruck. He's going for the ball. Kicking the ball

over to the side of the guide's head. He has hold of the ball. He

should not be holding onto the ball. The referee should penalises, not

the player kicking him in the head. Do you think he will get banned? I

hope he doesn't for the sake of red bead because he has not gone

particularly to do that. -- for the sake of rugby. That is an integral

part of rugby where you have to go for the ball. I hope he doesn't as

well but I hope the President is set that you cannot kick through the

back a player who is holding the ball. We will see what happens in

the next 24- audio towers. Let's see what happened with the England

women's team because they are on course to win a Grand Slam -- 48

hours. This match took place after the men's game at Twickenham last

night. The Final Score was 13-8. Emma Croker and Andy Scott scored

England's two tries. It has been an interesting weekend because at the

home of me throw club, how about this from Megan Yorke from Wales?

That made the winning margin 10-8 against France. Italy beat Scotland

this afternoon in Bologna. As you can see it's one of three, England,

France or Wales for the title in the women's championship force at the

fourth round of that is in a fortnight's time. I mentioned Italy

against Scotland. The last time Scotland won match in the Six

Nations was two years ago in Rome when Duncan Weir dropped a goal with

the last kick of the match to win by the narrowest of narrow margins.

Since then Scotland have lost nine in a row. Yesterday in Rome, could

Parisse inspire Italy's first win of the season? Or could Scotland break

the run of defeats? Laidlaw. Finding Hogg. Again, touch

not found. Odiete. Sarto. Scotland strong over the ball,

contesting hard. I thought for a moment they might have got the steel

but the penalty goes ahead against them. The tackle was good from John

Hardie stopping Sarto and when the referee said hands off, leave it,

lay on the ground, you've got to release. Opportunity for Haimona.

He's kicking well in the Guinness Pro12, 80 5%, 11th from 13. Up and

down at international level. The early settler for the Italians.

Haimona opens the account. Brought in in place of Carlo Canna. A

seismic loss as far as the Italians are concerned. He's been playing so

well in the opening couple of matches. Haimona is up to the task

on the first-ever from the team. Under huge pressure, the wind is

getting up. Scotland are playing into it. Haimona judged it

perfectly. Odiete using footwork to clamber towards the 22. Gori for

Haimona. Hogg controlling, and sensing an

opportunity here. Laidlaw. He gets it away. Jonny

Gray. Hauled down by Lorenzo Cittadini. Options for Scotland just

outside the 22. Important burst from WP Nel. Russell. Just making sure

that Garcia is honest defensively. Taken on by Ross Ford now. Wilson.

Abrasive runner, right into the heart of the Italian defence. This

freeing up Hogg. Hogg! Cutdown. What they burst! What a bit of

freeing up Hogg. Hogg! Cutdown. What what a line by John Barclay.

Scotland have the opening score, made by the initial surge from

Stuart Hogg. John Barclay on hand right where he needed to be.

Scotland hit back right away. This drew the defence out and then set

Stuart Hogg free on the right-hand side up wonderful footwork and then

the vision and awareness to the ball out to the onrushing John Barclay.

Good tackle by Haimona, support indirectly behind the ball. Great

support by John Barclay and a great score from Scotland. Last home game

in charge for Jacques Brunel, the Frenchman making way. Barclay. Quick

handling. Nel again. Russell. Still Russell. Lovely show from Russell.

Who is on hand? Good work from Dickinson. Laidlaw. Men out to the

left. Hardie into the corner! A try each for the flankers. Scotland

great value for it and finally their Six Nations campaign is flickering

into life. They retained the ball through the phases and eventually

Russell found some space in the time -- behind the

Russell found some space in the time got it to Hardie and he finished in

the corner. Fantastic try and wonderful start to the opening

quarter of this match for Scotland. Taylor. Well tackled by Gori, who is

staying over the ball. And the advantage is with Scotland here, not

rolling away. Well within the Laidlaw range. I think so. I think

he will opt to go for goal. That came from Edoardo Gori being under

pressure because they had one less defender on the side and he rushed

out and initially made a good tackle, but then he knows his team

is under pressure and doesn't try hard to get out of there and tried

to slow down position and quite rightly he was penalised.

Laidlaw, immaculate from the tee and the Scots now have a healthy buffer.

The ball with Parisse. Haimona. Parisse whips it away, Gori is

there. This is Campagnaro. Looking to get the off-load away.

Haimona. Parisse in the midfield will stop

lovely run cut by Odiete. Parisse in the midfield will stop

Garcia. Good off-loading. Odiete is there. The support is excellent.

Ghiraldini makes it. Leonardo Ghiraldini. Roman Centurion for the

day, the 100th for the Italians in the Six Nations championship, and

none more significant. This is one of the best tries of the

championship so far. Garcia had the winger on the outside but bought

himself time. And then Odiete and there is the try scorer Ghiraldini.

Fantastic attacking play from the Italians, wonderful footwork and

continuity and the power to drive through the tackle and score. What a

fantastic try from the Italians forced supper he has dragged the

It is very, very good from Haimona contest.

Sergio Parisse sets it up nicely. and the Italians are back in the

Sergio Parisse sets it up nicely. Hogg to the ground,

Sergio Parisse sets it up nicely. side they go.

Campagnaro, pirouetting through the tackles. Scotland just about doing

enough for now. 18 phase of possession. Gori digging for it.

Into the final quarter now. They have the penalty advantage. They'll

want more than three points from this, though. Parisse tries to fling

it wide. And the whistle is blown. It will be more as well.

I don't see anything wrong with that. He's in from behind, he's

entitled to go for that ball. Oh, well. It is a yellow for

Russell. A crucial intentiontion. Scotland are down to --

intervention. Scotland are down to 14 men.

Held up well by Ford. A nice quick ball work with. Gori

again. Edoardo Gori... Johnnie Gray

standing in his way. Castrogiovanni looking to go around

the side and work it over the try line.

Fuser thinks he's there. The Italians are celebrating. What

is the division. Work for Graham Hughes our television official.

is the division. Work for Graham was Willem Nel's leg in the way. It

looks good. That is the spot, that is the try. A try from Italy.

Marco Fuser puts Italy back in the picture. Down a man and paying for

it on the score board. So the Scotts have had trouble in recent times,

closing out tight games. A lot have slipped through the net. They need

to nail this one down. Nine consecutive Six Nations defeats in a

row. Laidlaw... Russell... Taylor...

Hogg... Stuart Hogg and in goes Seymour.

That should clinch it. Seymour sales the deal. Scotland --

seals the deal. Scotland, albeit with 14 men, storming their way to

victory here in Rome. 14 tries for Tomny Seymour. This is the action.

Hogg drags the defence over. Watch this.

Tommy Seymour. Kitson is in no-man's-land. Another

-- for Cittadini. Eight from nine today. Their Six

Nations campaign salvaged. The losing streak finally halted.

Of of it has been a frustrating period. I am absolutely delighted

with how we played today. So many good things in our game. Scoring 36

points. Some of them might get no mention as our defence. And the line

was incredible. Two or three times and the character - it is easy to go

into your shell and give away a try. I am delighted with that part of the

game. We lost in the first half. Tried to

get it back in the second half. Tried to keep the possession and

score tries, but they defended well back. At the end we didn't have much

discipline from our side. We gave them three points easy sometimes. We

have to improve on today again. I think we can get better and that is

the challenge that the players will see and look at and look forward to.

And there'll be a buzz at training - there will be. There'll be a

different atmosphere. It validates some of the hard which which has

been done. It has only just started. All the talk it seemed was the talk

that defences at this level of the game win matches, not attacks. If

ever there was a truism it was yesterday in Rome. Definitely. Three

good tries with Scotland. This victory undoubtedly was built on an

outstanding defence. We have two examples to look at here. This was

all about organisation. I will highlight John Hardie, who is the

captain - the leader of the defence, as the openside. We play this on now

and you can see for the line which comes in, Scotland to disrupt it.

Italy keep the ball. Look at John Hardie on the top of the screen,

talking to Alasdair Dickinson. He will give the line speed. Him and

Dickinson make the tackling. Ross Ford comes in. He's the first,

the first defender. This means that Hardie can focus on the Italians,

not what is happening at the contact. He sets up the pace. He

makes the tackle. Jonny Gray comes in with a second effort. A good

defence. They disrupt it now. They get through in the scrum-half glory.

You can see Laidlaw, all talking in defence. It is all about

communication as well, as the attitude in making the tackles.

Scotland were doing this effectively. It was the forwards,

now the backs. Taylor, Bennett - double teaming

again. The defensive line is now in place. Jonny Gray comes out with the

speed. I will highlighted John Hardie again. He puts the big hit in

to the ball and Scotland snuff out that attack. A really good defence.

That was in the mid-field. Let's look at much closer to the Scottish

line. Italy had spurned a number of chances close to this line to go for

the goal. They are throwing everything at Scotland. We are

looking at the two defenders which come in every time. One, two, every

time. Close to the line, you miss a tackle, you will concede a try. This

was Jonny Gray and WP Nel coming in. WP Nel in the top. No-one else is

coming in. Here's the back. Seymour, Horne. One in, one on the ball.

The defensive line is in tact. Italy come down the short side, Stuart

Hogg makes a good hit. Richard Gray finishes it off. Good organisation.

They practiced this, the defensive coach has worked on it. Yet again

Dickinson and Jonny Gray - 22 tackles in the game. Two in the set

phrases already. Italy don't have the answers. Really good outstanding

defence. And you can see here this graph

we've got now, this is just really telling you where the game was

played. Above this line, this is the Italians and where they were

playing. Almost 25% of the game took place in Scotland's 22. It is

astonishing they only conceded two tries. Scotland only were in the

Italian 22 for 5% of the game. They scored some really good tries. We

saw it in the edit here. Stuart Hogg has been outstanding so far in the

Six Nations. Yet again yesterday in Rome. He gets tackled. Look at the

awareness, the control. He's in control of everything. He sees John

Barclay. He pops it up beautifully to the on-running support and a

great bit of play from Stuart Hogg. Later on, 77 minute on the clock,

this is when the game was won, ultimately, Duncan Taylor out to

Stuart Hogg. He puts a bit of space, and look, the defence has lined up

well here in Italy. Stuart Hogg puts a step and the pace. Now it lives

the Italian full-back, he does not know if he comes in or goes out.

Seymour stayed wide. A beautiful pass from, a different angle. That

was the try that clinched it for Scotland. Good play from Russell and

Taylor. Now Hogg does the magic. Look at that pass - a brilliant try.

Scotland get their third try and win the game. When did you last hear

Andy's voice so excited? Good stuff. We will put a dampener

on things by going forward or back to Cardiff on Friday night. In

advance of the game the atmosphere was fantastic. The roof was open.

The anthems were like you had never heard before. Thousands and

thousands of French fans in town and then the match began.

Dan Biggar made the tackle. France on the move. A tackle... Danger from

France. They suddenly come to life. They have to stack the forwards

around the ball. It is suddenly a different France

already. Guirado delivers.

Another couple of hard yards gained. Over the ball.

Ever closer France creep. Poirot in support.

Free kick. That's how dangerous France can be.

50-70 metres in. If you look before then, that's not a tackle to me. Not

used his arms at all. You have to make an attempt to use

used his arms at all. You have to the tackle and there wasn't one

there. Penalty. Not toz give that penalty away.

Plisson puts France on the board. Not toz give that penalty away.

Wales 6, France 3. Davies spins. Another little kick by

the scrum-half. Gets a Davies spins. Another little kick by

Liam Williams diving Davies spins. Another little kick by

was. They cover him and he's away. He's looking at the support with

him. The support should have been with him. He didn't have to make

that extra half a yard as well. If they kicked it to George North he

has a chance. A chance for Machenaud to launch

mid-way. Cuthbert pushes him back. He's lost it now. A real chance for

Wales. Davies, kicks it long.

George North... The control is everything. A second chance for

North and he takes it. He takes it at the second bite.

Great speed by George North. There's no-one at home and then, just watch

this, he's got plenty of time to pick it up. He kicks it. Misses it.

George's air shot coming up. And a second chance - it is a little

gift-wrapped. Two tries in the last two games.

He's trying to say, come and take it.

Guirado has it at the back. A penalty advantage to France.

That closer penalty try. France kick. Liam Williams arrives.

For the corner. Bundled to the touch.

France attacking, and it's another driving maul. Guirado in charge of

it, thrusting for the line. Held up. I have to say that one player has

stood out for France, that man the captain. Guirado has been brilliant.

stood out for France, that man the Ball carrying, defence, he has

really put everything into this. Bastareaud goes on his own and and

cannot release his hands for the pass. Vakatawa now, not on his wing

but involved. Number 14, still so close to this grappling action.

Mermoz. Lycee gets away. George North with the interception.

Mermoz. Lycee gets away. George Plisson. Powering his way up to the

22 line. Biggar. The Welsh defensive operation has worked. Wales. Safe

enough for Gareth Davies. The speed of the scrum-half. Is it going to be

the perfect finish for Wales? Dan Lydiate delivers, followed how. Ken

Owens. -- here it is for Bradley Davies.

Gareth Davies again has a little sniper. Alun Wyn Jones keeps it in

field. The idiot sets up the rock. -- Lydiate. Gethin Jenkins. Alun Wyn

Jones. Owens. Penalty to France. That's good play. And who is there

again? The French captain. Brilliant. Maestri. See the hanged

time in the air, allowing Wales to get in behind and drive. -- hang

time. The surge is good. It has to be, surely. It is a try for France.

The captain, Guirado. Too little too late. It's a good set, suddenly

gathers pace. A pretty ordinary game. Wales have won, the score is

Wales 19-10 France. It was an ugly way to win a Test match.

We just kept fighting for territory in the second half and couldn't

quite get it. Hats off to France, they kept going for the full 80

minutes and the plan was to wear them down and the game would open

minutes and the plan was to wear in the last 20 but that didn't

happen. From our point of view we played a team that was two from two

and undefeated in three games now. Massive game in Twickenham in three

weeks. We had worked on things, trying to stop the off-load game

worked for us in defence and we showed nice touches in attack too.

There wasn't a a lot of space but we looked dangerous in the first half

on a few occasions. England next, a fortnight of mind games between you

and Eddie Jones, or is this a new Warren Gatland? I don't say anything

any more. I try to stay away from the press. I have to do something

because it's part of the contract otherwise I wouldn't be talking to

you now. I think he has said enough for both of us, I don't have to say

anything. He's brilliant, what he says is from the heart and he gives

his opinion and says what he thinks. You don't have to pull everything

out and turn it into a controversy or a headline. I have no problems

with what he has said, it's good for the game. Warren and Eddie, it

sounds like a Eurovision Dureau. Trappist monks, I suspect not over

the next fortnight. England three from three, eyeing up the Grand

Slam. It could yet be Wales' Grand Slam. France outsiders after events

on Friday. We will talk about France first before looking ahead to

England against Wales. Really good piece Stephen Jones wrote in the

newspaper. French rugby is coached by conservative collards and played

by petrified betrayers of French heritage, he wrote. Club rugby, not

international rugby, though it translates into the international

scene. You have to have some level of simply. I thought they were

pretty poor again but you have to have some sympathy with a player

like Guirado, who played incredibly well on Friday. He had five days

rest from having played for his club the previous week. Playing the

matches in the mid-of the Six Nations is just wrong.

You would still expect more from this side of that quality, despite

the lack of rest. I've seen many rugby teams with more attacking

intelligence and nous than the whole French team, given their

professionalism. It was absolutely shocking. They looked totally lost,

disorganised, and I'm very surprised, given the experience

within that side. They looked like an invitation team, they turned up

and had one training session and played. Guy Noves, who had huge

success with Toulouse, but I think he's past his sell by date. He

should have had this job five or six years ago when Toulouse were flying

high, they've won nothing in the last four years. That is reflected

in the way France are playing. Two weeks' time, it is mouthwatering,

underselling it. One of the most interesting subplots is perhaps the

most significant figures on either side from the same family. They

could be the who determined the outcome of the game. I love it.

Imagine what it was like when these kids were younger, the family

getting together, imagine the carnage.

If you don't know, they are cousins, by the way.

Let's have a little bit of touch rugby, not a chance colourful

contact tackling, bashing people out of the way. Two incredible athletes

in terms of number eight is. Billy Vunipola yesterday was incredible.

Standing start, even when he was stopped he was never stopped, great

level of power driving through. His body position was great, but you

know what, I don't know what was body position was great, but you

going on in here, he stopped in the middle of it and still almost made

the line with two Irish guys hanging onto him for seven or eight metres.

Power and heavy hitting. The game almost changed soon afterwards. For

me this is where the game changed in England's favour on the scrum at the

number eight Gelling and carrying the ball 13 metres over the gain

line. He is a different type of player, his cousin. More athletic in

some respects, not as heavy. Ta Lou pay is on his way to Bath and I

can't wait to see him. His work rate and work ethic is second to none,

very professional in the tackle, rips the ball out and that is a

number eight. Six foot three, 17 and a half stone, so athletic and it's

beautiful to watch. Look at his feet. The same as Billy Vunipola, he

posts the ball perfectly. The two best number eights in the

championship at the moment. I would just have fun at our ahead for his

overall ability, his defence -- Faletau ahead. And Billy Vunipola is

just behind him. Doubts were about the fact of whether Billy Vunipola

could play 80 minutes but he was extraordinary for 80 minutes

yesterday, he carried and carried and made a metres but every time he

did it England were on fire. They looked sharper when they got over

the line. Dearly certainty over the next two weeks is that we in the

media will spend an eternity talking about the fact that the World Cup

and what legacy that has, everybody involved on both teams will be

trying to deny any relevance to it at all and sake, just

trying to deny any relevance to it focused entirely on the game in

hand. What we are showing here is the scrums, which I know is a bit of

a bete noire for you. You went to the game applicant yesterday the

first time in an eternity as a spectator and saw scrums taking

first time in an eternity as a minute and a half

first time in an eternity as a your family make of it? My first

time going to a game in 26 years, well, 24 years, is either a

nonplayer or a non-pundit. I went with the boys and it was brilliant

to watch and the atmosphere was incredible.

to watch and the atmosphere was frustration of fans when this

happens. We have sped this up and it is still boring. It needs to be

tidied up a little bit more, absolutely. Scrums used to be a

means to restart the game, now they are away

means to restart the game, now they are trying to get the edge to get

the penalty to either get are trying to get the edge to get

points, or get down the pitch. That is why there is so much going on in

the engagement. If you get the engagement write the rest is easy

but engagement write the rest is easy

We time the penalty and we should time the scrums, the packs should be

given the time ready to engage, if they are not. Stop the clock, why

can't you stop the clock? They would still be playing. Wait until the

scrum-half comes out, the number eight, they would be 100 in matches.

We could at least try things and we could go back if it's not an

improvement on what we've got. Another talking point is the

replacements debate, Warren Gatland started it in the week. Lawrence

Dallaglio came out today and said he thinks there should be a limitation

on the number of substitutions that take place in the second half as it

changes the nature of the game, especially the final quarter,

doesn't it? It really does and for the bigger

countries it makes it easier for them, they have larger squads,

better players and better quality and it makes it a bit fairer if you

had less. Have to have three front rows and maybe a utility forward and

utility back and you are covered. England against Wales come away will

that be won and lost? It's going to be a cracker. I think after the

history in the World Cup, recent history in the World Cup obviously,

Wales will have no qualms about going to Twickenham, we know that.

They will go down there with a swagger and everybody talking about

England's Grand Slam, three games down. If England win this I think

there will get the Grand Slam because I think France are out of

the game at the moment. Wales, I think they've got the edge about

them, but I saw enough from the England team yesterday. I don't

think they will do this, but I would like them to start with the team

that they finished with yesterday, and that will take them further. I

think it's a bit more conservative. I think England might just do it. I

think it's a really big game, the most exciting one that we have. The

opportunity of two teams that could win the championship. England were

impressive. They've had Eddie Jones talking them up, the confidence and

a bit of arrogance. There is no harm in that because the players backed

it up yesterday and they played very well. I also thought they won with

humility at the end and that augurs well for a young group of players to

grow in a winning attitude. Welsh defence against the English attack,

who wins? England win. There is an awful lot to happen before a

fortnight's time, not least tonight on BBC Two. Match of the Day two,

you've got to see, if you don't know the results and I will not tell you,

you've got to see the match between Old -- from Old Trafford between

Manchester United and Arsenal. The following weekend Wales, Italy,

France and England, that is where the championship will be won, one of

those venues and you will see it on BBC television. And as if that

wasn't enough you have this too. George North coming in and still

going! All the way, what a try from George North!

Before we go we thought we would tell you, you can probably see that

at the bottom of the screen, a result that took place overnight,

watching BBC catch-up you can go on YouTube to see Brazil beat USA for

the first time ever, 24-23. How many years until we see England, Wales

can Scotland, Northern Ireland playing against Brazil in the autumn

internationals? That would be great. Never mind the quality, feel the

drama of the Six Nations championship once again. Bye bye.

Round 3 of the Six Nations, off we go. George North takes it at the

second bite. It is a try for Ireland.

Hardie into the corner. It is a try, it is Anthony Watson

who has scored. See more seals the deal. -- Seymour

seals the deal. They are moving clear at Twickenham.

The losing streak finally halted. And the