An interesting weekend from the 6 Nations. Ireland did JUST enough to beat England 14-13 in a very average game at Croke Park in Dublin. The first half may have been as disappointing first half of rugby as I have seen in a long time. Even the commentator for the game noted that “Let’s hope that the second half is a lot better than what we saw in the first half.”(I love the bluntness of British broadcasters-when the game sucks, they don’t mince words, unlike watching an American football game in the US)
All in all, a great game of rugby. France held on with some very desperate defending deep in their own end in the last 4-5 minutes. Wales had the chance to take the game at the end, had they been able to score a converted try. France seemed to get fired up earlier in the game when Tom Shanklin took French 8-man Harinnordoquy out while he was in the air. The referee opted to only give Shanklin a verbal warning, rather than a yellow card. This seemed to help French focus when they were down 13-3.
Scottish rugby fans have hope that their boys won’t finish with “the wooden spoon”, the mythical title given the last place team in the 6 Nations. It was not good rugby, and Italy’s South African Coach, Nick Mallet, must be wondering if he has any job security after 3 poor performances, including Mallet’s failed Frankenstein-type experiment of playing flanker Mauro Bergamasco at scrumhalf a couple of weeks ago.
The game most fans wanted to see was France hosting Wales at Le Stade de France in St. Denis, outside of Paris.
The thing that you can say about French rugby, is that you can write them off at your own peril. Poor performances in the fall internationals? Fly Half Lionel Beauxis injured? Opening day loss to Irleland at Croke Park? Marc Lievremont upset about playing on Friday evening? Forget about it. France produced the goods in great game of rugby to upset the Welsh apple cart, 21-16. 
Just about every gamble Marc Lievremont made came up his way: Morgan Parra, who had never really done any kicking, scored 3 penalties for France. He also unveiled a diamond in the rough for his full international debut: Matheiu Bastareaud was a force-111 kilos without an ounce of fat on him. He played a very good game for France. The Stade Français inside center looks to have a bright future with the national side.
Just about every gamble Marc Lievremont made came up his way: Morgan Parra, who had never really done any kicking, scored 3 penalties for France. He also unveiled a diamond in the rough for his full international debut: Matheiu Bastareaud was a force-111 kilos without an ounce of fat on him. He played a very good game for France. The Stade Français inside center looks to have a bright future with the national side. 
All in all, a great game of rugby. France held on with some very desperate defending deep in their own end in the last 4-5 minutes. Wales had the chance to take the game at the end, had they been able to score a converted try. France seemed to get fired up earlier in the game when Tom Shanklin took French 8-man Harinnordoquy out while he was in the air. The referee opted to only give Shanklin a verbal warning, rather than a yellow card. This seemed to help French focus when they were down 13-3.Here is what the standings look like after this past weekend’s action. Ireland has zero losses, and a 39 point differential. They have already played Italy. Ireland must play at Scotland, and then AT Cardiff, in what will surely be a charged up atmosphere to decide who will win the 6 Nations. France, is back in the picture, as well, after their gutty performance against the defending champs.
| 1 |  (1) |
Ireland | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 82 | 43 | 39 | 6 |
| 2 | (2) |
Wales | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 65 | 49 | 16 | 4 |
| 3 |  (4) |
France | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 64 | 59 | 5 | 4 |
| 4 |  (3) |
England | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 64 | 48 | 16 | 2 |
| 5 | (5) |
Scotland | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 52 | 54 | -2 | 2 |
| 6 | (6) |
Italy | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 26 | 100 | -74 | 0 |
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