Six Nations 2024: What’s happening after England, France and Ireland wins

Scotland’s missed try was the big talking point of the second leg of the Six Nations, but there was plenty else to talk about.

Could a boring kicking match prompt a change in the law? Should Wales have been allowed to accuse George Ford of trying to convert? Will Ireland’s depth lead to back-to-back Grand Slam wins? And which players stood out?

You’ve probably read chapters and verses about it and seen it from different angles.

Former England winger Chris Ashton took a slightly different view, saying Scotland had several chances to seal victory before those frantic final moments.

“Scotland will look back and say they had five chances to score elsewhere,” Ashton said.

“Scotland had a good chance of winning the game elsewhere.”

Before the frenetic conclusion, a loophole in rugby law led to a boring exchange of kicks that frustrated spectators and television viewers.

Known as the Dupont method, named after the French scrumhalf Antoine Dupont who first discovered the flaw, a player can be in an offside position from a kick and the opponent’s catcher must carry the ball five meters or use it. At this point, the ball will be played onside.

But Finn Russell knew that and was leading his team, so he just watched his steps before punting the ball back to France.

Former Scotland international Jonny Beattie said on BBC Sport’s Rugby Union Daily podcast: “The rules need to change. The fact that teams are just kicking from deep and finding ground is very boring for fans to watch. ” he said.

“A rugby match is very active and physical, whereas a chess match is incredible to watch. Instead, you can have a standoff.”

Scotland dominated for much of the match, but Louis Vier-Bialley’s solo try in the second half sealed the deal and saved Fabian Galthie’s side from a second successive defeat.

“France were the worst and showed nothing at all until that try,” Beatty added.

“I want to see them win in style. To win like that, you’d better win even if it was bad rugby. But that was bad rugby.”

They will look to bounce back with a big win over Italy on February 25th at the Stade Pierre Mauroy in Lille.

England fly-half George Ford tried to equalize against Wales with a routine conversion, but he went just a step wide to his left and was given no chance to kick the conversion after Ben Earl’s try in the first half. .

The move led to a rush of red jerseys and the ball being kicked off the tee.

“That doesn’t make sense to me,” Mr. Ford said. “Some of us kickers may have to stand like statues at the end of the run-up.

“What that means for us kickers is we have to work very hard on our setup and process, because if they’re going to go down that route and look for something like that, I We don’t have that luxury.”

However, with his team trailing 14-13, Ford made no mistake from a 72nd minute penalty to seal the victory.

England now have two wins from two and will next travel to Murrayfield to face Scotland on February 24th.

When Steve Borthwick left Leicester to become England manager, his son Hunter gave him advice on player selection. He “should choose Tommy Leffell.”

Borthwick soon informed Hunter that Leicester’s flanker was Welsh.

Leffel, 24, produced some excellent performances both offensively and defensively at Twickenham, showing he has a balanced game.

Leffel, known for his poaching ability, was tireless at the breakdown, but also showed footwork in attack with steps and offloads to set up Alex Mann’s try.

“I played with him at Leicester and his carry wasn’t what he was known for. It was his breakdown work,” Ashton said on the Six Nations Rugby Special. .

“What he can do in milliseconds training in such tight spaces is exactly why he is so good at international level. The speed is unbelievable.”

Leffel will aim to continue his form against Ireland’s intimidating back-row in Dublin following an injury to World Cup captain Jack Morgan, who was outstanding for Wales at last year’s World Cup in France. .

Ireland made six changes from their impressive opening win against France as manager Andy Farrell rotated his squad against Italy.

Equally impressive was the 36 points he scored against the Azzurri in Dublin without conceding, marking the first time since 1987 that Ireland had kept a team scoreless in this competition.

Fly-half Jack Crowley, who scored his team’s first try, backed up his performance at Marseille with a fine performance similar to Johnny Sexton’s previous performances.

“If you look at that aspect and the way they’re playing at the moment, Crawley has the potential to develop into a world-class player,” Davies said on the Six Nations Rugby Special.

“He has the confidence and recognition of an experienced player.” [so early in his career]. ”

Farrell’s side face Wales in Dublin on February 24th, hoping to maintain their goal of becoming the first team to win back-to-back Grand Slams in the Six Nations.

The 20-year-old produced a moment of magic with a chip and gather to snatch victory at Murrayfield. The winger regained his starting place in the French team and showed why with his incredible pace towards the goal.

“He’s a weirdo,” Beatty said. “He’s going to be great.”