With three games played, things are starting to hot up in this year’s competition. Having beaten England and Italy, a rapidly maturing Wales XV travelled to Paris to keep their dream of a first Grand Slam for 17 years alive. France got off to the better start, scoring two tries in the opening 12 minutes, but the Welsh began to stoke their own fire to rally with two Martyn Williams’s tries in the opening five minutes of the second half. The French swagger began to subside as their one-time 15-3 lead began to evaporate turning into a 18-15 deficit following Jones’s conversion. A Frederic Michalak drop goal then brought the home side level again, only for Jones to shoot over another penalty and drop goal to make it 24-18 for France’s first Six Nations defeat since March 2003. Wales’ perfect 2005 record remained intact and a title showdown with Ireland on March 19 is still very much on the cards.
The Irish received winless England at Landsdown Road on Sunday afternoon, hoping to keep their own 100 per cent record intact. The game finished 19-13 in Ireland’s favour with two Ronan O’Gara drop-goals, two penalties and a glorious try from Captain, Brian O’Driscoll, condemning England to a third successive defeat.
Scotland finally broke their duck with a perfect kicking display from Chris Paterson against Italy, six penalties gave them an 18-10 victory without ever looking convincing.
