Six Nations Saturday
Italy versus England, Wales v Scotland, France v Ireland
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Despite the odds going against them, Scotland actually appear to have increased the tempo and are starting to make some movements inside the Welsh half now. Matt Scott almost drives his way over single-handedly, but Wales just manage to push him out to the side, Biggar eventually clearing up.
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Today's attendance at the Millennium Stadium is 73,547.by Simon Thomas via twitter 3/15/2014 3:21:27 PM
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Well, I've seen something new on a rugby field today. Correct decision by the referee though. That was dreadful by Hogg.by Simon Thomas via twitter 3/15/2014 3:21:36 PM
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TRY! Wales 18-3 Scotland (North 34')
Counter-attacking rugby at its best. Williams collects a high kick before somehow managing to shake his defenders and surge down the left win. The full-back slips, but Phillips is on hand to collect the offload, with George North running in after the scrum-half's draw and go. -
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And Wales are denied a try, after Jonathan Davies' chip through from the right flank is picked up by Faletau, who was standing in front of him at the time. Faletau offloaded back to Davies on the right wing for the centre to glide in unopposed, but the score won't count.
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Jon Davies has a try chalked off as Faletau was offside in the build-up. It's all Wales at the moment es.pn/OgurAk #WALvSCOby ESPN Scrum via twitter 3/15/2014 3:27:43 PM
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TRY! Wales 25-3 Scotland (Roberts 39')
It's not long before the Welsh are rewarded with the real deal, though. North and Davies show some electric pace to get down the left wing, but the real plaudits here are deserved by Davies' swung pass inside to Jamie Roberts, whose support doesn't go wasted. -
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At the halfway mark, the statistics serve in showing how Wales have claimed this early lead. Johnson's men have missed eight tackles, lost more line-outs and have failed to average as many metres with the ball in hand.
Interestingly enough, Scotland have won more turnovers than their hosts, showing just what a strong presence they can be in the ground game. -
This Scotland performance is much better than the one against England.by Brian Moore via twitter 3/15/2014 4:21:51 PM
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Full Time: Wales 51-3 Scotland
And Scotland's very last phase of play helps sum up their day, with Ryan Wilson looking dangerous but flinging his pass over the head of his intended recipient and out into touch. A lot of huff but no puff in the end for today's visitors, while Wales do indeed round off their tournament with a flurry. -
That was Scotland's third highest margin of defeat in Test history.by Simon Thomas via twitter 3/15/2014 4:33:51 PM
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At the end of this encounter, Hogg's red card will always be looked upon as the straw that broke the camel's back, irrespective of how things would have gone with the Lion on the pitch. Vern Cotter has a lot to work on after Johnson steps down from his position as interim head coach, while Gatland can feel encouraged by the raft of up-and-coming talent making its way into his squad.
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And now, we'll move on to the third and final instalment of today's Six Nations schedule, not to mention the final match of this year's tournament. Ireland need only win in Paris to claim the championship, whereas France, while still technically within reach, must win by a margin of more than 70 points to claim the title.
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Ireland have been in dazzling form this campaign, while France have looked staggered at times, but the fact that Ireland have won in Paris just once in the last 42 years is a curse that promises to go against the Irish visitors.
It was a Brian O'Driscoll-inspired victory in 2000 that accounts for that one anomaly. Can the man of the moment end his Six Nations tenure where it all began so promisingly 14 years ago? -
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1/22 - Ireland have won just one of their last 22 away Tests against France (D1 L20), a run that dates back to 1972. Damp.by OptaJonny via twitter 3/15/2014 4:46:57 PM
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Fickou has looked particularly confident in these opening minutes, shirking off the challenge of D'Arcy with his latest touch of the ball. So far, the Toulouse youngster has been limited to cameo impressions during this competition. A far bigger task lies ahead today.
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France are looking threatening when they get inside the visitors' half, with Szarzewski just about failing to latch onto a crash ball and spilling possession, but nevertheless shooting Ireland another warning sign. Schmidt's men struggling to get out of their half at the moment.
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by ESPN Scrum via twitter 3/15/2014 5:11:55 PM
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Ireland pressing for the first real time now as Rob Kearney's shift in from full-back provides Sexton with the outlet he needs to slip the ball off his inside shoulder. France eventually wrestle possession away from the visitors and clean up ranks but it's not long before Ireland are firing back once more.
Better play from the visiting side. -
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by ESPN Scrum via twitter 3/15/2014 5:18:49 PM