Six Nations: Round 1 Recap
Join us after for a round up after each week of the 2024 Six Nations. Featuring great insights, highlights, and analyses, concluding with players to watch out for in the next round.
We opened up a super exciting first week of the Six Nations 2024 with some great matchups.
France 17 - 38 Ireland
France: 17 / Tries: Penaud, Gabrillagues / Cons: Ramos x2 / Pens: Ramos
Ireland: 38 / Tries: Gibson-Park, Bierne, Nash, Sheehan, Kelleher / Cons: Crowley x5 / Pens: Crowley
Ireland charged through France to claim their first win of the Six Nations 2024 campaign. It was a very intense and well-fought fight between both teams, but Ireland prevailed and were stronger. They took away a bonus point against 14-man France. A second yellow for Paul Willemse showed him a red. On both occasions, he got a yellow card for high tackles.
The win for Ireland has shown them as one of the favourites to win this years Six Nations, as they look on to their next game against a refreshed Italian side. France takes on Scotland at home.
Italy 24 - 27 England
Italy: 24 / Tries: Garbisi, Allan, Ioane / Cons: Allan x2, Garbisi x1 / Pens: Allan x1
England: 27 / Tries: Daly, Mitchell / Cons: Ford x1 / Pens: Ford x5
England win in Rome to open up their Six Nations of 2024. A confident Italy side that played, took the fight to England today showing their ambitions for the tournament. Italy are still yet to ever beat England in the Six Nations. Italy lead England going into the second half for only the third time in the team’s history of facing one another. It finished 17 to 13 in the first half (2).
In the second half, the Italians made a lot of errors and missed key opportunities with the second-half penalty miss from Tomaso Allan.
England’s Gorge Ford was consistent at the spot and a try from Mitchell in the 44th minute and England’s lineout game gave England a solid advantage for most of the second half. The closing minutes of the game saw Italy find a try and conversion but it was too late in the 85th minute (2).
England’s Ethan Roots won his first cap for England as well as winning the Man of the Match award. The new England captain Jamie George demanded more from his England team after the game saying,
“We have got to be better going into Wales” Jamie Gorge (3).
Wales 26 - 27 Scotland
Wales 26 / Tries: Botham, Dyer, Wainwright, Mann / Cons: Lloyd x3 / Pens: 0
Scotland: 27 / Tries: Schoeman, Van Der Merwe x2 / Cons: Russle x3 / Pens: Russle x2
A breathtaking second-half performance for Wales was not enough, as Scotland sealed the win in Cardiff for the first time in 22 years (4).
Scotland lead in the first half with a comfortable lead of 27-0. Finn Russell controlled the game well and two tries from Van Der Merwe gave the strong Scottish side confidence going into the second half.
However, the second half was not as Scotland would have wished, as Wales had an answer to Scotland coming back 26 points, with a top performance from Rio Dyer and Aaron Wainwright to say a few.
Scotland still held onto the win showing bravery in their defence to end the game with just a point in it.
Players To Watch
France: Damian Penaud / Plays for Union Bordeaux Begles
A try machine that is one of the best wingers in the world.
Ireland: James Lowe / Plays for Leinster Rugby
Has tremendously long kicks and is also a great try-finisher.
Wales: Rio Dyer / Plays for Dragons RFC
A younger Welch talent with speed and try-scoring abilities.
Italy: Ange Capuozzo / Plays for Toulouse
Italian talent impressed last year with his dazzling steps, was out of today’s game due to illness but is one to watch as the tournament goes on.
Scotland: Finn Russel / Plays for Bath Rugby
A great playmaker when he is on the ball can make things happen. He is a very experienced fly-half and a great leader.
England: Fin Smith / Plays for Northampton Saints
A player to watch for the future. He only got 14 minutes in today against Italy. He took over fly-half duties from George Ford. Smith has a great ability to control the game and is very in form in this year’s Premiership campaign for the Northampton Saints.
Round 1:
Resources / References:
BBC Sports - Ireland Vs France: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/68182019
RugbyPass - Italy Vs England: https://www.rugbypass.com/news/england-dig-deep-to-see-off-impressive-italy-in-rome-opener/
BBC Sports - Italy Vs England: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/rugby-union/67802425
BBC Sports - Scotland Vs Wales: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/68191642