Tune into our live blog below for updates as they happen from Saturdays opening of the 2023 Six Nations; First up, Warren Gatlands Wales host Ireland in his ...
Minute-by-minute report: Returning Wales coach Warren Gatland takes on the world No 1s. Join Lee Calvert.
Keenan is brought into the line up the left and the visitors are in the Wales 22 and up to eight phases before the red defence inevitably drift offside as they scramble manically. For Andy Farrell and Ireland it’s pretty much a CTRL-ALT-C, CTRL-ALT-V of the squad that delivered so much in 2022, with changes forced by injury in the main. The chance to kick sticks is spurned by Sexton and instead Ireland take a tap and go and take a few ramming carries up to the line from 5m. From herein expect every move, injury, strategy and selection to usher in hot takes, indications of portent, and the clanging doom of Ireland fans dreading yet another unsatisfactory exit. Faletau does a good job tidying up the scrum five to give Wales a couple of attacks in the Ireland 22. Ireland have another lineout, this time midway in the Wales half, which is batted off the top to find Ringrose in midfield with a solid carry. Warren Gatland has taken the lead of Embrace by coming back to what he knows with his (second) first Wales selection. Another first, Wales have a good scrum on the Ireland 22 and this time Hawkins comes in on a lovely crash angle to rumble up to within feet of the line. The ball spills and Rio Dyer is first to it, hacks on and chases 30 metres, but just as it looks like he’s about to flop on it to score, Hugo Keenan times his dive perfectly to get to it first and defuse the situation This time McCloskey is put into a gap and they are up into the 22 before some imprecise breakdown work allows Wales to win the ball back and clear. The ball is quick to recycle to Biggar, but he’s static, grappled in the tackle then the Irish defenders swarm the breakdown meaning the Welsh 10 can do nothing but hold on and be penalised. However, it’s notable that Ireland are putting very few into the ruck, leaving plenty defenders fanned out across the field so as the home side push it lateral a few too many times the green cover allows Lowe to push up, intercept and gallop in from 60 metres.
Warren Gatland's return is spoiled by Ireland as the world's number one side humble Wales in the opening Six Nations match in Cardiff.
Sexton converted and slotted over another penalty. Wales face a trip to Scotland next weekend, with Ireland hosting France in what could prove a pivotal game in the battle for the 2023 Six Nations trophy. Wales continued to attack but could not cross for a second score and Ireland demonstrated their clinical edge with Van der Flier diving over for the final score. Ireland overpowered a woeful Wales side in the first half, with the hosts repeatedly punished for ill-discipline and inaccuracy. Wales improved in the second half and responded with a Liam Williams try. Warren Gatland's return was spoiled by Ireland as the world's number one side humbled Wales in the opening Six Nations match in Cardiff.
Wales player ratings: Ireland have beaten Wales 34-10 in their Guinness Six Nations match in Cardiff and in truth, a valiant second-half...
[Taulupe Faletau](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/taulupe-faletau/) – 6 [Justin Tipuric](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/justin-tipuric/) – 6 [Wyn Jones](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/wyn-jones/) – 5 [Adam Beard](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/adam-beard/) – 5 [Tomas Francis](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/tomas-francis/) – 5 [Ken Owens](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/ken-owens/) – 5 [Gareth Thomas](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/gareth-thomas/) – 6 [Tomos Williams](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/tomos-williams/) – 5 [Dan Biggar](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/dan-biggar/) – 6 [Joe Hawkins](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/joe-hawkins/) – 7 [George North](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/george-north/) – 6 [Josh Adams](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/josh-adams/) – 5
France begin the defence of their Six Nations title this Sunday when they take on underdogs Italy in their opening match of the 2023 event at the Stadio ...
Rugby fans in the UK can also tune into Sunday's match at the Stadio Olimpico via a livestream, with the game available to watch via ITVX. Their title defence will resume this weekend when they make the trip to Rome to take on underdogs Italy at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday. The French stole the show last year, winning all five games to clinch their first Six Nations title in 12 years.
Italy: 15. Ange Capuozzo, 14. Pierre Bruno, 13. Juan Ignacio Brex, 12. Luca Morisi, 11. Tommaso Menoncello, 10. Tommaso Allan, 9. Stephen Varney; 1.
Crowley believes Italy need to be more “street smart” and Lamaro is eager that his side “stops conceding mistakes after a mistake” so they can “stay in the fight for 80 minutes”. Some of Italy’s back play in the autumn, with Capuozzo sweeping into the line, was exceptional. There is a faint chill in the breeze, but otherwise the conditions could not be more auspicious for a free-flowing game of Test match rugby. Tommaso Menoncello, who starts on the left wing against France was described by Paul Gustard, his former Benetton defence coach, as “built like a bull” yet “shredded and super-fast” with “huge endurance”. Georgia overturned the Azzurri in July, adding weight to the Lelos’ eagerness for Six Nations expansion. France, who begin the defence of their Six Nations title today, have not lost a match since 2021, while Italy have not beaten their border-sharing adversaries since 2013. Ramos lurks behind to scoop up the ball and make the try – but this goes for review too! Kieran Crowley, the Italy head coach, has warned that Capuozzo must contend with second-season syndrome in 2023. The lineout is taken well, and Allen tries to move forward, but within moments, they're turned over. After surging forward with confidence, France are poised for Penaud to side a sumptuous aerial pass to Dumortier on the left. Capuozzo struggles through the pack, and Italy tries for space down both wings, but France lock up defensively. But he comes off the better, slipping past him to the corner just in time to plant the ball by the overturned flag.
Will last season's grand slam winners France open their campaign with victory in Rome, or could Italy produce a shock? Join Lee Calvert.
Italy come back at them from the lineout and create a little gap for Capuozzo out wide, but the ball is slightly behind him and snaffled by Ramos. Dupont has a dart left off the back of a big French maul in the Italy half. Allan call for the tee and puts his side on the board. Some outstanding attacking patterns and handling from Italy follows a big maul drive, and France are scrambling all over the place in their own half. On another advantage, Italy are attacking on the France 22, and the intricacy of their attacking patterns is outstanding. The work it with several carries from the forward tight around the ruck, before the ball rolls loose and is regathered. Italy manage something resembling a reasonable exit from the kick-off, and France have their first attack of the half from the resulting lineout. Well, yes, in that he blew the whistle to award the penalties that gave Italy either territory or a chance to kick posts. The Azzuri pack catch and drive it and on the second shove they are this close to forcing the ball over the line but Ollivon illegally pulls the maul down. France have some decent possession of the first time in a while and from a maul on the right the fire it left into midfield. Fusco has added a bit more zip with his passing from the breakdown as Italy try to run it from their own half. Les Bleus had a chance to close out the game with a lineout in the Italy half, but the imprecision comes to the fore once more as they can’t claim their own throw.
Live updates from Sundays Round 1 2023 Six Nations clash between defending Grand Slam champions France and Italy from the Stadio Olimpico in Rome (3pm ...
France are the reigning grand slam champions and begin their title defence with a trip to Rome to face a resurgent Italy.
“Down by white!” cries Matthew Carley - France have done it! An extraordinary game of rugby, and another significant feather in the cap of this rapidly developing Italian team. This competition is the best in the world and we are really under pressure. You doubt that Fabien Galthie will over-react, but he’ll be worried about how Italy were able to stress and strain his midfield defence. “They have really, really lifted their game, they’ve improved their gameplan, their discipline - it was a tough game. Each game is going to be a different challenge.” We are very confident for next week. F/T: Italy 24-29 France “We are improving every week. We had our chances - first half, a bit too many errors, we gave away 19 points off our mistakes. It’s those small margins we talk about. The Six Nations, eh?
France player ratings: It would have been near unthinkable for France to have lost their Guinness Six Nations opener against Italy in Rome...
[Sekou Macalou](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/sekou-macalou/) threw himself about and brought some much-needed energy to an emotionally flat French side. He isn’t the first and he won’t be the last. [Gregory Alldritt](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/gregory-alldritt/) – 6 His yellow card that conceded a penalty try in the 51st minute triggered France’s considerable wobble. Back in blue after missing the Autumn Nations Series with injury and was on light piano shifting duties today. The man mountain was sporting a slimmer physique and looked all the fitter for it. Was asked by referee Matthew Carley if we wanted to be marched by back after moaning following a penalty in the 29th minute. A constant menace who seemed to cause panic in the Italian ranks every time he was on the ball. [Yoram Moefana](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/yoram-moefana/) – 6 Hard to oversell just how much value he brings to the French midfield. The Bordeaux-bound Penaud got on the end of a few decent attacking shapes but was kept relatively quiet in the first half. Looked flighty late on, not a characteristic any side wants in a fullback.
The action began in Cardiff as Ireland dominated Wales, putting Warren Gatland's side to the sword in a ruthless first-half showing before running out 34-10 ...
But before then, it’s time for you to cast your vote for your favourite player in each position after a memorable weekend for Rugby’s Greatest Championship.