Six Nations

England crash to record 53-10 defeat against France at Twickenham; France score seven tries to keep Six Nations title hopes alive; Wales record 29-17 win ...

Following a 29-17 victory for Wales over Italy in their Six Nations fixture, here's our five takeaways from the match at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday.

Leigh Halfpenny and Biggar probably would have converted those two opportunities, while Williams also wasted a chance when he failed to find touch in the second half. Tommaso Allan started at number 15 in his absence, and whilst the Harlequins star showed some flashes of brilliance, his performance was a mixed bag. Had they been on their game there’s little doubt the Italians would have been right in the contest at the turnaround, if not leading, but errors were all too frequent as they butchered key opportunities. Others must fill in his shoes if they are to cause a shock. Crowley’s face at half-time was like thunder and one can understand why as his Italian players would have turned any coach grey after that first-half showing. Indeed, his kick would lay on their opening try as Rio Dyer crossed for a crucial score.

Marcus Smith's introduction to the starting XV couldn't inspire England to a result against France, who secured their first Six Nations win at Twickenham ...

That applied the finishing touches to England's biggest home loss in history (or Five and Four Nations, for that matter), highlighting a dire need for changes ahead of this year's "We played the way we wanted to play. That try illustrated the gulf in impetus between the two teams, with England lacking the alertness and physicality of their guests. It shows we're on the right path." France flexed their ingenuity for Ollivon's brace in particular, the back-rower nonchalantly reaching over England's ruck to dot down following Ramos' all-too-simple break and chip deep into enemy territory. "We got exposed today," he told Stand-in fly-half Smith briefly narrowed the lead with a paltry penalty soon after, only for France to hit back before the break. We probably have to be better in the contact area which is on the forwards." The Red Rose showed signs of blooming in an improved second half but was left with too much to do after heading in at the break 27-3 down. [Bristol](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/bristol-rugby)'s [Ellis Genge](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/ellis-genge) said he 'wouldn't sugar coat' his analysis after standing in as captain for the absent Farrell, praising the "brilliant" Bleus while adding England "are way off where we want to be." Charles Ollivon, Thibaud Flament and Damian Penaud each scored two tries apiece as Les Bleus banked their first Six Nations win at Headquarters since 2005. [Steve Borthwick](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/steve-borthwick)'s [England](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/england-rugby-union-team) revolution stalled at Twickenham on Saturday after [France](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/france-rugby-union-team) flew to a record-breaking 53-10 [Six Nations](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/six-nations) win in hostile territory.

Wales scored four tries in a 29-17 win over Italy in Rome, climbing off the bottom of the Six Nations table at the hosts' expense.

Having ended a run of 36 games without a Six Nations win at the end of last season in the Welsh capital, Crowley’s team were hoping to triumph at home for the first time since 2013. For the first time since he returned as head coach at the start of the year, Gatland saw his players properly fired up, sticking to and executing the gameplan and looking more like a Gatland-coached side. The referee, Damon Murphy, not only ordered a penalty try, but also showed Cannone a yellow card. Liam Williams weaved his way to the line, bouncing off five defenders and then a decision by Wales captain Ken Owens to kick to the corner rather than taking three points delivered in spades. The crowd belted out the anthem to show their levels of expectation, but the early response simply wasn’t there on a wonderfully warm day at the Stadio Olimpico. Badgered by his four children to explain “Why are you No 21 Daddy, not No 9 any more?” he ensured they are more likely to be seeing him wearing single digits for the rest of this year, rather than a replacements jersey.

France kept alive its chances of retaining the Six Nations rugby title after a record, seven-try 53-10 humiliation of England at Twickenham fueled by two ...

From the moment Flament broke England’s flimsy defensive line in his own half to help set up a second-minute try by Thomas Ramos, the French looked a class apart. The Irish will look to extend their 100% record with a win over Scotland at Murrayfield on Sunday. They went on to put on a show, embarrassing the hosts as Penaud’s brace of tries in the final 10 minutes took France past a half-century of points and sparked a chorus of jeers from some home fans, many of whom were heading for the exits.

Les Bleus coast to a record Six Nations victory over the hapless hosts to pile pressure on new coach Steve Borthwick.

At Twickenham, London: France 53 (Thibaud Flament 2, Charles Ollivon 2, Damian Penaud 2, Thomas Ramos tries; Ramos 6 conversions, 2 penalties), England 10 ...

Ollivon's second try was somewhat farcical after England first five-eighth Marcus Smith lost possession of the ball in his attempt to get back over his own tryline after retrieving a kick. “It was a very special game for us,” Flament said. The Irish will look to extend their 100% record with a win over Scotland at Murrayfield on Sunday (Monday NZT). England has never conceded so many points in a home test match, or in the tournament’s 140-year history. *

France player ratings: No matter what the fortunes of either side going into it, England-France in the Guinness Six Nations is always a...

Monstered [Ellis Genge](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/ellis-genge/) on 40 minutes which directly lead to Ollivon’s try. Sipili Faletea’s star turn two weekends ago wasn’t quite followed up here, with Genge getting into him at the setpiece. No quarter was shown to the English at the breakdown and the La Rochelle man won pretty much every moment in which he was involved. Did brilliantly at the less glamourous stuff, pouncing on a loose ball that had questionably popped out of an English ruck saving France’s jambon with English moving ominously towards their try line. Made a telling open-field contribution for France’s first try and got one of his own after accelerating onto a fine Dupont pop pass close to the English line. Latched onto Lewis Ludlum for a timely jackal that led to an attacking lineout for France. Used as an effective carry option twice in the opening three minutes. So effortlessly cool that he looks bored most of time. Bar one shanked effort, he kicked well with ball in hand. No box office moments this week even if his mere presence seemed to unnerve a feverish English midfield, who were suffering the effect of severe ball starvation. Showed his mettle in the frequent high-stakes kicking battles that littered the first half. Worryingly bad from England and frightening good at times from France.

Updates from Saturdays Six Nations round four matches; Italy host Wales at Stadio Olimpico (2.15pm), before England tackle defending champions France at ...

England endured their biggest ever home defeat as France scored seven tries in a 53-10 thrashing.

France put in a masterclass of a performance as they hammered England 53-10 in a record-breaking showing in the Six Nations on Saturday.

[England](https://www.planetrugby.com/team/england)‘s only crossing of the evening as this was a chastening defeat that will no doubt sting Steve Borthwick and his players. Flament was exceptional, Ramos phenomenonal, Fickou and Danty perfect, Dupont was Dupont. France absolutely and totally dominant. Flament crossed in the 26th minute but it was too easy for the lock as passive England were overpowered in contact. Antoine Dupont grew in influence as he weaved his magic around the ruck but it was the power of forwards François Cros and Flament that did the damage for the next try. [France](https://www.planetrugby.com/team/france) who raced out of the blocks and when lock Paul Willemse offloaded out of the tackle they were away, with Ethan Dumortier sending Ramos over in the left corner.

On one of the darkest days in English rugby history, France put on a clinic by running in seven tries in a record 53-10 humiliation of its cross-channel ...

“It is a bit of a mystery at the moment.” Ollivon's second try was somewhat farcical after England flyhalf Marcus Smith lost possession of the ball in his attempt to get back over his own tryline after retrieving a kick. England has never conceded so many points in a home Test match, or in the tournament’s 140-year history.

England were overwhelmed 53-10 by France at Twickenham in a record defeat that removed them from Guinness Six Nations title...

A game we’ll never, ever forget. France reminding us of the joy they can play this game with. [Paul Willemse](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/paul-willemse/) offloaded out of the tackle they were away, with [Ethan Dumortier](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/ethan-dumortier/) sending Ramos over in the left corner. The biggest walloping England have ever taken at Twickenham. [Owen Farrell](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/owen-farrell/) and [Alex Mitchell](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/alex-mitchell/) off the bench early in the second half came amid an uprising that produced a try for [Freddie Steward](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/freddie-steward/), but it was short-lived as Flament, Ollivon and [Damian Penaud](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/damian-penaud/) propelled France further in front. [Thibaud Flament](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/thibaud-flament/) and [Charles Ollivon](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/charles-ollivon/) had crossed with alarming ease and England looked completely lost as fault lines opened in their defence, kicking, breakdown and discipline.

One of his vice-skippers, prop Ellis Genge, will lead the team instead. It's a bold decision from Borthwick but one he hopes will pay off handsomely as England ...

It is a bit of a mystery at the moment. I thought we would get a measure of where we are at, there is a big gap between us and the top teams in the world. We are way off where we want to be. “It was a very special game for us and we tried to make it count. “We played the way we wanted to play... "Certainly you have to give immense credit to France and they are clearly a world-class team. “That is one of our worst performances and we were punished numerous times. Thibaud Flament crossed twice, so did Charles Ollivon and the excellent Thomas Ramos claimed a try to boot. “It was great to score. It shows we’re on the right path. It’s our biggest performance in a while.” Thibaut Flament, Charles Ollivon and Damian Penaud all notched braces for France, who got a very early score from the sublime Thomas Ramos as they won by a staggering 43 points, 53-10.

Wales player ratings: Warren Gatland's Wales have been under fire so far this tournament, not favoured to win a basement battle with Italy.

[Dillon Lewis](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/dillon-lewis/) – 6.5 Cleaned up a lot of mess brilliantly including a late Italian lineout. Beard’s best performance for Wales in a while. [Dafydd Jenkins](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/dafydd-jenkins/) – 6.5 Fantastic to see Webb have a good game. Nailed an awesome 50/22 at the end of the first half. Timed a pass to Adams beautifully for a second-half break. Defensively very solid against one of the fastest attacking teams in the tournament. [Josh Adams](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/josh-adams/) – 6.5 Williams needed a solid performance and he delivered. Their performance against England was difficult to quantify, with Italy playing well but not winning – yet… Wales responded with an excellent performance and an unexpected bonus point win.

Wales boss Warren Gatland hailed the excellence of scrum-half Rhys Webb after their 29-17 Guinness Six Nations victory over Italy at Stadio Olimpico.

"Italy are where they are because of the way they have played over the last 10 years. It was a victory for the whole squad." It's very clear there was a tackle made, so there is a tackle line and their No 10 tackled Brex. "We fought our way back into it. I thought it was a great contribution by him." Wales captain Ken Owens said: "We will grow from this.

After three defeats, Kiwi coach Warren Gatland registers first win of this season's competition in his second reign at Wales.

"He didn't force anything and kept us on the front foot." Poor handling cost them dear after a slew of line breaks. Wales turned round with a man advantage, after Italy No.

England player ratings live from Twickenham: This was savage, a brutal record beating as England were blown away by France.

[Henry Arundell](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/henry-arundell/) – 3.5 Quickly upped the tempo and gave the assist for Steward. An awful day ended with Penaud leaving him for dead for the first of his late tries. Was the other player involved in not preventing the offload on halfway that got France up and running with their opening score. Similar to Sinckler, he badly fell foul of referee O’Keeffe in the opening 15 minutes and was always on the back foot from there. Looked to be improving during February, but this display was a dire collapse as he was outfought by the opposition grunt. First-time captain endured a horrible experience in which he contributed to his team’s slow start with a deflating 12th-minute knock-on. That gave the French a soft mark to clear from their 22. His 60-minute appearance went from bad to worse after that. No one could quibble that he didn’t deserve his place, but he was blown away here and hooked on 46 for Farrell. That tick has now been well and truly inked, the swashbuckling Les Bleus’ winning at English Rugby HQ for the first time since 2005. All that palaver was marked absent in a filthy rout where their back row essentially never got off the bus.

With the Six Nations Championship in full swing, it will soon be time for the Centenary Quaich to be fought for between Ireland and Scotland.

The Centenary Quaich is just one of several cups contested in the Six Nations Championship. Named after a Gaelic drinking vessel, the ‘Quaich’ has been presented to the winners of the Ireland versus Scotland fixture since 1989. The two teams battle it out every year to decide who will clinch the highly coveted trophy.

Steve Borthwick admits his team "fell considerably short" against an impressive France side in their record 53-10 loss at Twickenham.

The players wanted to put in a big game against England.” We wanted to do something here. “France were able to dominate the tackle area and offload. “We played well, how we wanted to. We fell considerably short, that’s the reality. It shows just how much work we have to do.

Saturday was a dramatic evening that will live long in the memory, be it from the perspective of shambolic England or flamboyant France.

[Max Malins](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/max-malins/) on the wing is another alteration, as is [Manu Tuilagi](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/manu-tuilagi/) for Slade. [Maro Itoje](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/maro-itoje/) need the shock treatment of getting dropped in order to buck up in World Cup year? It was beautiful and that set the tempo for a contest in which the visitors racked up nine linebreaks to England’s one. [reaction to the six-point opening round loss to Scotland was to drop three players for the next day](https://www.rugbypass.com/news/marcus-smith-dropped-as-england-name-team-to-host-italy/), [Marcus Smith](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/marcus-smith/), [Joe Marchant](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/joe-marchant/) and [Ben Curry](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/ben-curry/) paying the price on that occasion, then he should be taking a sledgehammer to his selection after this latest loss and dropping eight or nine for next Saturday in Dublin. However, the margin of error at Test level is vastly smaller and the reputational damage being done to England is getting horrible. and yet they were blitzed in the one area where it mattered most – on the scoreboard. There’s no point in Borthwick going on about England having “three world-class out-halves” if [he keeps sending Ford home to Manchester on a Tuesday](https://www.rugbypass.com/news/smith-wins-ford-battle-but-england-update-is-bad-news-for-lawes/). However, Borthwick is just a single win from his three home games so far and if his appointment was designed to win back fans, [Alex Mitchell](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/alex-mitchell/) and his Jamison Gibson-Park-type energy into the starting side as young [Jack van Poortvliet is plodding along](https://www.rugbypass.com/news/england-player-ratings-vs-france-2023-guinness-six-nations/), mirroring how fellow youngster [Harry Randall](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/harry-randall/) fared in the team in last year’s championship. England hadn’t convincingly produced the brilliant basics that Steve Borthwick spent the whole of February prattling on about while France, given their champion pedigree of last year, were [always likely to sublimely click at some stage](https://www.rugbypass.com/news/france-player-rating-vs-england-2023-guinness-six-nations/) after an opening month of fits and starts displays. [from the perspective of shambolic England or flamboyant France](https://www.rugbypass.com/news/france-inflict-record-defeat-on-england-in-six-nations-humbling/). Their finishing was sublime given the greasy conditions, and their post-game celebrations were joyous and infectious.

Wales boss Warren Gatland lauded scrum-half Rhys Webb for his stunning performance in their 29-17 win over Italy in Rome.

“Italy are where they are because of the way they have played over the last 10 years. It’s very clear there was a tackle made, so there is a tackle line and their 10 tackled Brex. They beat us in the aerial game. I thought it was a great contribution by him.” “We fought our way back into it. “We will grow from this.

France finally put an end to their Twickenham hoodoo as they ran away to a record 53-10 win over England.

“We got exposed today. [March 11, 2023]

Scotland host Ireland in the most significant match of the penultimate weekend of the Guinness Six Nations.

[Stuart Hogg](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/stuart-hogg/) leads the hosts out ahead of winning his 100th cap. Bealham and [Tadhg Beirne](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/tadgh-beirne/) are the only notable absentees from a fearsome matchday 23. Hogg may not be the only player to pass a notable milestone in this weekend’s match as fit-again Irish skipper Sexton also stands a chance of securing some personal glory. [Tadhg Furlong](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/tadhg-furlong/) will make his first competitive appearance since early December following a calf issue after deputy [Finlay Bealham](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/finlay-bealham/) suffered a tournament-ending knee problem in the round-three win in Italy. [Johnny Sexton](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/johnny-sexton/) this week claimed Ireland are preparing to face the greatest Scotland team of the Six Nations era. In addition, a home victory, especially with a bonus point, would take Gregor Townsend’s team into their final match at home to Italy with a real chance of winning the

By outlasting Scotland 22-7 at Murrayfield, Ireland earned a fourth straight victory of the championship to move on to 19 points — four more than defending ...

Five minutes later, Hansen also played a key role in Ireland’s third try by sending in replacement Jack Conan along the right touchline. It ended with flanker James Ryan tackled about 5 metres out and his offload just evading Lowe. That would require Ireland losing at fortress Lansdowne Road to visiting England and France beating Wales in a match taking place a few hours earlier next weekend.

Ireland very much kept their Six Nations Grand Slam hopes alive as they secured an impressive 22-7 victory over Scotland at Murrayfield on Sunday.

Sexton was again successful in adding the extras to take his After doing well to ride out the early period of pressure by conceding just three points, Scotland forced their way into the game. Ireland almost made the breakthrough in the 11th minute when Hansen was picked out wide on the right but Duhan van der Merwe did just enough to pull him into touch. The Scots were forced into a change after just six minutes when lock Richie Gray went off injured and was replaced by Scott Cummings. Sexton made no mistake with the conversion. Prior to kick-off Stuart Hogg was accompanied onto the pitch by his children ahead of his 100th cap.

Wingers Mack Hansen and James Lowe scored a try each for Ireland as first-five Johnny Sexton became the joint leading scorer in Six Nations history ...

Following a 22-7 victory for Ireland over Scotland in their Six Nations fixture, here's our five takeaways from the game at Murrayfield on Sunday.

But Scotland’s biggest takeout is just to continue as they are; by all means, refine a few things here and there as part of their continuous improvement and in order to bolt on greater consistency into an all-round package. Behind them, Ryan was absolutely massive, 12 thundering runs for 81m and unlucky not to cross the whitewash on a couple of occasions. In a game that was nip and tuck at half-time, the Irish defence put in a magnificent effort to hold the Scottish attack at bay whilst managing to eek out a couple of chances for their outstanding wingers, James Lowe and Mack Hansen. Aki is one of those players who goes under the radar, but as Ringrose seems sure to be unavailable next weekend, he will be essential for Ireland. Back to the injuries, most worryingly for their teams, two massively influential figures also came off towards the end of the match in Garry Ringrose and Finn Russell. Competing on the floor and breakdown is also an area where they came off second-best. Planet Rugby thinks Federico Mendez may have been the last to achieve this, but if you know better, please feel free to tell us in the comments! Seven influential Test match performers went off with all sorts of injuries and ailments, three of them before half-time. Getting balance into their defence is key and for all the brilliance of their loosies, a jackaling presence seemed to be missing. He also stole three Scottish lineouts – a testimony to his all-round skill, and in truth, he was unlucky not to get the player of the match award. In a match with some wonderful attacking intent and skill, the variety and completeness of defence was always going to create the points of difference, and it was here that Ireland won the match, as they tackled their hearts out to achieve parity but gained a clear advantage in kick clearance and in turnovers. To deal with all of the reshuffling of their team, using Josh van der Flier as a lineout thrower and prop Cian Healy as an emergency hooker, and still to emerge with a win was nothing short of staggering.

Scotland player ratings: Scotland were denied a first Triple Crown since 1990 as Ireland continued their quest for a Grand Slam...

Only used for the last play. Four carries for 23m a decent return. Made 60 metres with seven carries in the first half. Worked hard at the breakdown to slow the visitors down, but didn’t get much joy. Some good moments, but a wildly forward pass on 66 minutes – his last act before going off – summed up Scotland’s second half. [Jamie Ritchie](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/jamie-ritchie/) – 5 Forced off after just half a dozen minutes on a frustrating afternoon. [Richie Gray](https://www.rugbypass.com/players/richie-gray/) – 5 A difficult day for the big winger despite his obvious attacking strengths as he was culpable for at least two Irish tries. A contender for Scotland’s player of the championship. Replaced with a quarter of an hour to go. Not for the first time this campaign,