Six Nations
Sadly, the Red Roses’ next game against Ireland in Cork already looks like a one-horse race. Simon Middleton and his assistants will be keeping a weather-eye open on Round Five.
Ireland v England
Greg McWilliams had to adopt a defensive position in post-match interviews last week. It’s hardly his fault that the sides he picks are so lacking in experience. Up to now they have been on the receiving end of punishment, and even die-hard Irish pundits are predicting doom. Not a pretty picture.
We must all hope to see Ireland quickly restored to their former glories.
As they analyse the French performance against Scotland, the English management will notice parallels with their own game in Cardiff, a tough first half offering a narrow lead, then a runaway victory in the second.
Of course, both sides have strength all over the shop. But one special concern for the English must be the quality of the French back-three, Llorens, Boujard and Boulard.
Their English equivalents, Breach, Dow and Sing, have won equal plaudits. The one untested element is Emma Sing’s out-and-out pace. There’s no doubting her all-round skills, and they include attacking flair, but can she match Emilie Boulard over 100 metres?
Ellie Kildunne may well be unfit to play; if so, that option for the 15 shirt stays closed.
It’s highly likely that Hannah Botterman will get the call at loose-head. Her half-hour performance at Arms Park was full of achievement, and England will want all the power they can muster at the set-scrum.
Cath O’Donnell didn’t return from an HIA, so that leaves a question-mark over Zoe Aldcroft’s partner at lock. If Poppy Cleall and Morwenna Talling remain unavailable, that asks the newest cap up front, Delaney Burns, to fill big boots again. And if she deserves a rest before the 80 minutes are up, who next? Sarah Beckett has played there, but she replaced O’Donnell on 12 minutes, then took Alex Matthews’ place at No 8 at half-time. Rosie Galligan hasn’t appeared yet this season.
Once more, England’s cupboard is looking strangely bare.
France v Wales
Wales are in danger of seeing this season’s progress mirroring last year’s all too closely: two fine wins followed by pain. In 2022 they managed to scrape one losing bonus point to finish a creditable third. This year they can expect no mercy from the French, then all depends on their performance on the final day in Parma. Memo: last year a 10-8 win for the Azzurre away from
home.
We could all give the pre-match pep-talks to the French ourselves. Their targets are obvious.
They will want to produce a better result than the English against the red shirts, so a shut-out is the first call. Then they will want to top 60 points.
One likely reason for Annick Hayraud’s demise last year was the lack of heavy scoring. They totalled 130 points fewer than Les Rosbifs. The new co-coaches have certainly been keen on putting that relative weakness to bed. They’ll view a set-to in Grenoble (capacity over 28,000) as a perfect platform for destroying the castle in TW2 the following week.
Scotland v Italy
Try as we might, it’s hard to see the Scots breaking their duck in Edinburgh. They simply do not have the depth of class to compete on level terms with their five opponents. The loss of Emma Orr to injury (there may well be others across the board) stretches Bryan Easson’s resources more than is welcome.
The Azzurre will set their minds on two victories to complete the season. At present they lie a whopping six points behind the Welsh, but their run-in gives them a chance of overhauling that deficit.
While the eyes of the most of the world may well be focused on Twickenham in the last round, the Italy-Wales game will have central importance for both nations. It’s all too likely to decide who gains a coveted place in the top tier of the WXV.
Now Italy have discovered a real match-winner in Alyssa D’Inca on the wing, their home tie sets them up nicely for a grand finale.
But first a trip north must prove a success. Above all their finishing powers will be tested; they must ensure a first bonus point of the year.
Fixtures:
22 April Ireland v England, Musgrave Park, Cork; KO 14.15 (IST)
22 April Scotland v italy, Rugby Stadium, Edinburgh; KO 16.45 (BST)
23 April France v Wales, Stade des Alpes, Grenoble; KO 15.15 (CEST)
