Ireland returned to victory with their success in Italy (48-10) while England once again tripped over Wales (40-24) on Saturday 27 February, in the 2021 Six Nations Tournament.
The match between the Blues and Scotland, scheduled for Sunday, has been postponed to a later date, probably at the end of March, due to 17 (twelve players, five members of the staff) cases of Covid-19 revealed within the XV of France since February 16.
- Wales-England: 40-24
Three games, two losses. The XV de la Rose, double title holder, has withered. Sadly and without glory. Against Wales (40-24), the English were far too undisciplined (14 penalties) to hope for anything. Eddie Jones’ men were certainly not helped by the five penalties conceded by Maro Itoje or the two failures of Owen Farrell at the foot (4 of 6). But above all, they almost said goodbye to their hopes of retaining the crown of the Six Nations Tournament.
Wales, hard winner during the first two days, went for a prestigious success, well deserved to continue their flawless. And, with the Triple Crown in his pocket, alone takes the lead of the 2021 Tournament with three successes in a row with dreams of Grand Slam.
Six years is a long time. Since February 28, 2015 and a 22-19 success in front of Scotland, Italy has not tasted victory. And the last defeat to date, against Ireland (48-10), does not suffer any challenge. As often, the Transalpines showed good things but, as always, they ended up cracking, conceding a scathing 21-0 in the second half against the Irish, carried by the return of their eternal captain Jonathan Sexton (18 points). As against France (50-10), as against England (41-18).
Outclassed, the Italians allowed the XV of Clover to polish its weapons and, above all, to return to victory after two setbacks against Wales (21-16) then France (15-13). The visitors didn’t really have to strain their skills to register six tries. In Rome, without shining, the Ireland of Tadhg Beirne has found color.