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**dudeabides** · 03-15-2010, 07:13 PM

Ireland v Scotland:

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Ireland's Triple Crown-decider against Scotland in Dublin this weekend will be the 124th meeting of the sides since their first encounter in February 1877.

Scotland lead the series by 63 wins to 55. The last of the five draws was in 1994. The first of the two matches staged in 1885 was abandoned with Scotland leading, but the sides agreed to a replay a fortnight later, provided the outcome of the abandoned match should not stand as a win for Scotland. Both games carry Test status.

The teams have only met at Croke Park once before, when Ireland were comfortable 34-13 winners thanks to a Tommy Bowe brace. This game will be the last Ireland Test staged at the home of the Gaelic Athletics Association (GAA) before the opening of the Aviva Stadium.

Ireland's 44-22 win at Lansdowne Road in 2000 and Scotland's 38-10 Murrayfield win in 1997 are the highest scores recorded by the teams in this series. The best winning margin (30 points) in the matches was established in Ireland's 36-6 success at Murrayfield in 2003.

Ireland's David Humphreys set the record for the highest individual score in a match contributing 26 points at Murrayfield in 2003. Chris Paterson holds the corresponding Scottish record with 18 at Murrayfield in 2007.

William Stewart, a Tasmanian-born wing who played for Scotland, scored a record four tries in the 1913 fixture. Three players have scored try hat-tricks for Ireland: Eugene Davy (1930), Séamus Byrne (1953) and Brian O'Driscoll in 2002.

Ronan O'Gara is the leading overall scorer in the matches. He has scored 109 points for Ireland in 11 matches since 2000. Chris Paterson overtook Gavin Hastings as the leading Scottish scorer in the series with a 15-point haul at Murrayfield last season.

Scotland's Roy Laidlaw scored most tries in the matches: six in nine games between 1980 and 1988. Alan Duggan (1967 to 1971) and Brendan Mullin (1985 to 1995) each scored five for Ireland in this fixture.

Mike Gibson holds the record for most appearances in the series, playing 14 times between 1964 and 1979. He was capped eight times as a centre, five times as a fly-half and once as a replacement wing. Sandy Carmichael, Scott Hastings, Bill MacLagan and Paterson appeared 11 times for Scotland.

Scotland v Ireland Six Nations results:
2000 Ireland 44-22 (Dublin)
2001 Scotland 32-10 (Murrayfield)
2002 Ireland 43-22 (Dublin)
2003 Ireland 36-6 (Murrayfield)
2004 Ireland 37-16 (Dublin)
2005 Ireland 40-13 (Murrayfield)
2006 Ireland 15-9 (Dublin)
2007 Ireland 19-18 (Murrayfield)
2008 Ireland 34-13 (Dublin)
2009 Ireland 22-15 (Murrayfield)

Ireland set sights on Triple Crown | Rugby Union | Six Nations 2010 | Rugby Head to Head | Scrum.com

**dudeabides** · 03-15-2010, 07:14 PM

Wales v Italy:

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This weekend's Six Nations clash between Wales and Italy at the Millennium Stadium will be the 17th Test meeting between the two sides.

An Italian victory would equal their best return of two Championship victories in a season while Wales are in desperate need of ending their tournament on a high. Last season saw Wales make a number of changes for their trip to Rome, with replacement Tom Shanklin's try sparing their blushes and sealing a 20-15 win.

Wales lead the all-time series, that began in 1994, by 13 wins to two and there was a draw at Cardiff in 2006.

Wales set the records for the highest score, biggest winning margin and most tries in the series with their 60-21 win in Treviso in 1999 when they scored seven tries. They equalled the margin in their 47-8 Cardiff win on their way to a Grand Slam in 2008.

The best Italian performance of the series was in the 2003 Six Nations when they defeated Wales for the first time - 30-22 in Rome, scoring three tries.

The highest individual contribution to a match in the series is 30 points by Neil Jenkins in the friendly played in Treviso in 1999. Diego Dominguez scored 18 (five penalty goals and a dropped goal) to establish the Italian record in Rome in 2001.

Gareth Thomas created the record for most tries in a match. He crossed four times for Wales in Treviso in 1999. No Italian player has scored more than one try in a match.

Thomas shares the Welsh record for most tries in the series with Shane Williams on eight. Neil Jenkins is the leading points scorer with 128 for Wales in his six appearances between 1994 and 2001.

Diego Dominguez, who appeared in eight of the matches, holds the Italian scoring record with 112 points. The late Ivan Francescato and Carlo Checchinato, the current Italian team manager, each scored two tries in the matches.

Alessandro Troncon and Martyn Williams made most appearances in the matches playing 11 times each.

Italy v Wales Six Nations results:
2000 Wales 47-16 (Cardiff)
2001 Wales 33-23 (Rome)
2002 Wales 44-20 (Cardiff)
2003 Italy 30-22 (Rome)
2004 Wales 44-10 (Cardiff)
2005 Wales 38-8 (Rome)
2006 Drawn 18-18 (Cardiff)
2007 Italy 23-20 (Rome)
2008 Wales 47-8 (Cardiff)
2009 Wales 20-15 (Rome)

Italy eye Wales upset | Rugby Union | Six Nations 2010 | Rugby Head to Head | Scrum.com

**dudeabides** · 03-20-2010, 05:15 PM

Ireland v Scotland:

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Scotland denied Ireland a Triple Crown with a 23-20 victory in the final game at Croke Park.

Brian O'Driscoll and Tommy Bowe scored tries as Irish rugby said farewell to the home of the Gaelic Athletic Association's stadium but a well organised Scotland side were not to be denied. Scotland No.8 Johnnie Beattie struck for a well-taken first-half try and fly-half Dan Parks landed 18 points from the boot as well as claiming a third Man of the Match award of the Championship.

After powering to a Grand Slam last season Declan Kidney's Ireland were aiming for more silverware before heading to their new Aviva Stadium home but their fifth Triple Crown in seven years proved to be elusive.

The result handed France the northern hemisphere crown, condemned Italy to the wooden spoon and secured a happy ending to Scotland's campaign after their agonising losses to Wales and Italy and a demoralising draw with England.

Scotland were splintered inside a minute as Bowe carved through a gap created by some over-eager defence but Keith Earls spilled the pass as the visitors scrambled frantically. Parks slotted the opening points after a strong response from Scotland, who waded in close to the Irish line after a handling error from Rory Best.

It was from a Scottish lineout, a pillar of their campaign so far, that Ireland struck for the opener. Paul O'Connell picked off the throw and the ball was moved into midfield, where Jonathan Sexton offered his support on the loop. Scotland were flummoxed by the fly-half's movement and he broke away, finding O'Driscoll on his shoulder for a simple run-in despite the pass edging forward.

Rather than exert further pressure Ireland were hit by a strong Scottish counter-attack. John Barclay offloaded from the floor to his back-row mate Kelly Brown, who found Graeme Morrison in strong support. Beattie flew up to take the final offload and the No.8 smashed through Geordan Murphy before reaching out to score a great try.

Parks was unable to land the conversion but Scotland's lead remained intact as Ireland failed to combine their ambition with passing accuracy. Bowe and O'Driscoll scrapped and fought against some fired-up Scottish defence but were unable to open a telling gap.

Sexton turned down a long-range shot at goal in favour of kicking to the corner but Scotland's line-out got their own back by snaffling the ball. The Leinster pivot did not turn down his next effort from distance but was unable to find the target, a mistake that Parks did not make when presented with an opportunity just before the break.

Scotland deserved their advantage after some enterprising play deep in Irish territory and Parks further extended their lead with a well-struck drop-goal from the final play of the first-half.

Sexton again failed to find his range with a penalty in the opening moments of the second-half and Scotland continued to outplay Ireland at the lineout. Another stolen throw allowed Sean Lamont to burst clear through midfield and while the Scottish support was slow in arriving Ireland's desire to prevent further damage on the scoreboard saw them pinged for slowing the ball down. To rub further salt into Sexton's wounds Parks made no mistake and opened up a 10-point gap.

Ireland's pack secured a foothold in the game with a powerful maul that drove at the heart of Scotland's defence. Allan Jacobsen was penalised for disrupting the drive and Sexton lined up the kick despite Ronan O'Gara's attempts to get onto the field. Sexton slotted the points as O'Gara trotted into the fray for the final half-hour.

A poor clearance by Hugo Southwell put the Scottish line in danger but the visitors were resolute. Ireland hammered on through the forwards before releasing Gordon D'Arcy close to the line, but Scotland's counter-ruck was again pitch-perfect to secure a turnover.

Parks missed a 50-metre kick after O'Connell was called up for holding on and Scotland were made to rue the miss by Bowe. Ireland waited patiently after setting up possession on the Scottish 22, with the ball spun wide swiftly, allowing D'Arcy to draw the cover defence enough for Bowe to dart through a gap and reach out to score. O'Gara lined up the conversion from the touchline and made no mistake to level the scores.

A tense stand-off between the respective front-rows, with a glowering Euan Murray to the fore, slowed the pace of the game but brought two free kicks to Scotland. The second brought a penalty and Parks was on hand as the Croke Park crowd made their feelings known.

Murray, who had abandoned his scrum-cap in a fit of pique, was penalised immediately after and O'Gara showed his worth under pressure by landing a shot at goal to level the scores up once again. The pendulum had one more swing left though, and it went the way of Parks and Scotland.

A brilliant kick-chase by Morrison and Nick de Luca swamped Rob Kearney and the fullback was penalised for holding on. Parks lined up the kick, taking his time, and arrowed the winning points to the disgust of the home faithful.

Gutsy Scotland deny Ireland a Triple Crown | Rugby Union | Six Nations 2010 | Rugby Match Pack | Scrum.com

**dudeabides** · 03-20-2010, 05:16 PM

Wales v Italy:

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The opening game on Super Saturday may not have lived up to the billing but that will be of little concern to Wales coach Warren Gatland who saw his side restore some credibility to their campaign with an easy victory over a painfully limited Italy.

Desperately in need of a result to put some gloss on a faltering campaign and a performance to silence those critics who have suggested the side are going backwards, Wales delivered to a degree - but they were expected to do so. As a result their delight at returning to winning ways will be muted. The heat is off - for now.

The hosts were frustrated by another determined defensive effort from the Italians and their own errors in the opening period but were finally rewarded for their endeavour after the break with two tries from the ever-impressive James Hook and another from the prolific Shane Williams. The performance was far from perfect but was a huge step forward from their lifeless effort in Dublin last weekend. A rocket from Warren Gatland and co and the fear of being dragged into the wooden spoon mire appeared to spark the side into life and suddenly they were full of energy and no longer shackled by the sense of fear that seemed to envelope them at Croke Park.

This was a more controlled display from Wales - not the all-guns-blazing approach that cost them dear against France. They chose their opportunties well and refused to hit the panic button despite their failure to undo the Italians. That composure and belief that the scores would eventually come served them well.

Teenager Tom Prydie may have stolen all the headlines before the game as he prepared to become the youngest ever Welsh international but it was the more experienced heads of Stephen Jones and Hook that ensured they finished what has been a rollercoaster Championship on a high. Prydie looked a little worried ahead of kick off but he did not succumb to those nerves with a mature display that belied his 18 years. He played with an assurance from the first whistle, notably backing himself with a chip and chase early on, and put his muscular frame to good use in the loose. He showed enough to suggest his day in the sun will come - and soon.

But today it was all about his senior colleagues. Jones orchestrated proceedings and kicked 18 points on his way to the man of the match honour. It was his boot that kept the scoreboard ticking over as the Italians dug deep in the first half and it was his vision that eventually picked the tiring defence apart. However, Hook is deserving of equal praise for another eye-catching display and he was at the heart of most of what was good about the Welsh and kept the Azzurri guessing throughout.

Hook had two able allies in centre partner Jamie Roberts and scrum-half Mike Phillips with both bringing added dynamism. Phillips, making his first Wales start for 12 months, was particularly impressive as he powered his way into the heart of Italy's challenge and he showed he has lost none of his confrontational edge with a pointless spat with Italy's Mirco Bergamasco.

For Italy it was an oh-so-familiar story. Never wanting for physicality, they stood toe-to-toe with the hosts in the first half but were painfully short of ideas with the ball in hand. Stats do not always tell the whole story but the amount of tackles they were forced to make and the lack of passes they completed emphasise the constant battle coach Nick Mallett appears to face.

Fly-half Craig Gower shows glimpses of class but too often it is mixed in with aimless kicking and wasted opportunities. Indiscipline also cost them again with frustration getting the better of Mauro Bergamasco in the second half as Wales continued to hammer on the door. Defensively it was a huge improvement on the capitulation at the hands of France a week ago with the Italian scrum also resuming normal service but that plus will always be negated until they find a creative outlet.

Victory will grant Gatland some breathing room although a testing summer tour will no doubt offer more ammunition. But there remains plenty of work to be done before as is evident with just a dramatic victory over the Scots and and an expected home victory over the Italians to their name in this year's Championship. He has an abundance of talent at his disposal, with more on its way, and in such circumstances this kind of performance must be the norm - not the exception.

Wales restore a little credibility | Rugby Union | Six Nations 2010 | Rugby Verdict | Scrum.com

**dudeabides** · 03-20-2010, 08:13 PM

France v England:

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'Le Crunch' certainly lived up to its name with France and England playing out a brutal clash at the Stade de France to bring the curtain down on this year's Six Nations in bone-crunching style.

France weathered everything that a fired up England could throw at them and like all great champions they came out on top. In doing so the class of 2010 wrote their names into the history books as the ninth French side to complete a Championship clean sweep and there can be no doubt that they are worthy of the northern hemisphere crown having dominated this year's battle.

This may have not been the most attractive performance from Marc Lievremont's side, indeed the champagne rugby was notable by its absence, but that was to be expected with so much at stake. The fact that Ireland's defeat in Dublin meant the Championship title was already theirs before a ball was kicked did little to ease the pressure that has been slowly building all week. This game was all about the result - to come so far and not close out Le Grand Chelem would have served as a hammer blow to the side psychologically but they came through the test to underline their status as a superb side with greatness perhaps waiting around the corner for this talented generation.

The flair may have been missing, with the wet conditions doing their best to ruin the game as a spectacle, but the physicality of France's previous performances was still there to be seen and felt. And in a committed England side they had an opponent more than willing to go toe-to-toe with both sides taking it in turns to bludgeon each other with the intensity of the blows drawing gasps from an enthralled crowd.

This was a refreshingly adventurous England who came out of the blocks flying and full of the kind of attacking intent that has been sorely missing from their game. Manager Martin Johnson's supposed gamble on fullback Ben Foden and debutant winger Chris Ashton paid immediate dividends with the duo combining superbly for what proved to be the only try of the game. Both thrived within an attacking game plan and along with Mark Cueto they were constantly hungry and looking for the ball.

Fly-half Toby Flood was another to deliver a well-crafted performance and the injection he provided for the side also appeared to benefit inside centre Riki Flutey although he is still some way from his best. There was also an interesting cameo from Jonny Wilkinson whose long-range penalty not only brought his side within range but also underlined his value to the team - no other player can keep the scoreboard ticking over like him.

The whole side maintained an impressive workrate throughout the game but were hampered by the persistent rain that made handling an issue for both sides. But they refused to change their plan of attack and continued to pepper the French defence with plenty of invention while slamming the door shut with another excellent defensive showing - no other side has kept the French try-less this year. But there were concerns at scrum time with France able to turn the screw all-too-easily and draw valuable penalties that eventually proved the difference between the sides.

England's eagerness was their downfall at times and they were guilty of playing too much rugby especially with the elements conspiring against them. It appears it is either feast or famine for England so they must continue to strive for a more productive balance and the ability to produce that week in, week out. A disappointed Johnson claimed his young players 'came of age' which bodes well for not only their future but that of the side too.

No matter how relentless the rain, it could not dampen the atmosphere. The stadium was crackling with anticipation before kick off in a way that only a potential Grand Slam for the home side could generate. But there was an added element, a burning desire to see France return to winning ways against their cross-Channel rivals who sent them crashing out of the 2007 Rugby World Cup on this stage and handed them another defeat on their return the following year.

As has been the case for much of the Championship, scrum-half Morgan Parra and No.8 Imanol Harinordoquy were at the heart of the French challenge. The tenacious Parra's star continues to rise and his boot was invaluable to his side on a day when they drew a rare blank when it came to scoring tries. The warrior spirit is also alive and well in his back-row colleague who, clearly singled out as a key threat, bore the brunt of a ferocious forward effort from England but would not be moved - at one point waving away the medical staff as he staggered back towards the action. Captain Thierry Dusautoir was another to lead by example - thumping his English counterpart Lewis Moody into the turf with one trademark assault.

But as far as France were concerned, this wasn't a day for individual adulation. This was all about crowning the best team in Europe and what better way for France to claim that honour than by producing a superb all-round effort from 1-15. There are very few weak links in this side - if any - with perhaps their mental toughness until now providing the biggest question mark. But not any more. With victory France showed that they not only have the talent to win the big games but also the temperament - a priceless combination that not only makes them the envy of Europe but the world.

France richly deserve European crown | Rugby Union | Six Nations 2010 | Rugby Verdict | Scrum.com

And they won it all...

Final table:

France 5-0
Ireland 3-2
England 2-2-1
Wales 2-3
Scotland 1-1-3
Italy 1-4