Six Nations: Round Three Review

Ireland edge closer to a second consecutive Six Nations title following victory against Wales. Here, we review the action from the third round of the 2024 Championship.

The 2024 Guinness Six Nations resumed last weekend, with some mouth-watering ties taking place over the course of Saturday and Sunday. Ireland faced Wales at the Aviva Stadium, Scotland and England contested the latest Calcutta Cup at Murrayfield, and France took on Italy at the Stade Pierre Mauroy.

We are now entering the final straight of this year’s Six Nations Championship, with the fates of all the nations involved becoming clearer. Ireland were looking to continue the momentum in their quest for a third consecutive Six Nations win, whilst Scotland and England battled for the Calcutta Cup and second place.

Meanwhile, France looked to climb the standings, as did Wales and Italy, who were looking for their first wins.

Now that the three blockbuster 2024 Six Nations matches are now over, here we are going to review each of the games, starting with an eye-catching fixture between reigning Champions Ireland and Warren Gatland’s Wales at the Aviva Stadium early on Saturday afternoon.

Ireland 31 – 7 Wales (Aviva Stadium)

Following wins against France and Italy in the first two rounds of the 2024 Guinness Six Nations, Andy Farrell’s Ireland were looking to continue their momentum as they target a second consecutive title and a 6th Six Nations Championship overall against a Wales side who are yet to record their first win.

In the end, Ireland was in ruthless form, beating Warren Gatland’s side 31 – 7 at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Throughout the game, Ireland gained 495.9 metres to Wales’ 289.4, whilst Farrell’s side had 4 turnovers compared to 2 for Gatland’s side. Wales edged the tackles with 194 compared to 190 for Ireland.

Wales failed to record a try, penalty or conversion. Ireland got 4 tries thanks to Dan Sheehan (20’), James Lowe (31’), Ciaran Frawley (66’) and Tadhg Belrne (80’). Munster’s Jack Crowley got his side’s only penalty (6’), whilst also getting 4 conversions for Ireland on the day (21’, 32’, 67’, 82’).

Scotland 30 – 21 England (Murrayfield)

Gregor Townsend’s Scotland inflicted a first defeat for Steve Borthwick and his England team later on Saturday afternoon at Murrayfield, winning a third consecutive Calcutta Cup after successfully beating their rivals 30 – 21.

England had been looking to keep pace with Ireland to match them for three wins out of three, but with defeat in Edinburgh, Borthwick’s side drops down to third place with 6 points, whilst Scotland rose up to second place with 7 points to their name after what was their second win of the 2024 Six Nations Championship.

It was England who gained more metres with 380.2 in comparison to their hosts’ 298.7. Ireland edged turnovers with 5 (4 for England) and tackles made, with 150 compared to 104 for their opponents.

Duhan van der Merwe got all three of the hosts’ tries (19’, 29’, 44’), whilst George Furbank (4’) and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (66’) got both of England’s two tries on the day. Finn Russell got three penalties (34’, 57’, 65’) and 3 conversions (20’, 30’, 46’), whilst George Ford got England’s two penalties (14’, 49’) and only conversion (6’).

France 13 – 13 Italy (Stade Pierre Mauroy)

The final game to review from Round Three of the 2024 Guinness Six Nations is the game between France and Italy at the Stade Pierre Mauroy in Lille on Sunday afternoon. Ahead of the game, both sides were looking for their first victory of their respective campaigns.

In the end, it was to end in a 13 – 13 draw between these two teams, with both sides still waiting for their inaugural wins of the 2024 Six Nations with just two rounds of action remaining in this year’s Championship. This draw is also the first of this year’s tournament.

France edged it in terms of metres gained with 454.3, compared to Italy’s 432. The visitors led the game in turnovers won with 5 (compared to France’s 3) and tackles with 178 (compared to France’s 118).

Both teams scored a try each, with Charles Ollivon (6’) and Ange Capuozzo (69’) scoring a try each for their respective teams. Thomas Ramos got both of France’s penalties, whilst Martin Page-Relo (43’) and Paolo Garbisi (60’) got Italy’s two penalties. Ramos got the home side’s sole conversion, whilst Garbisi got the only conversion for the visitors (70’).

The 2024 Guinness Six Nations resumes on Saturday, 9th March, with the fourth and penultimate round of action coming to a conclusion on Sunday, 10th March 2024. The fixtures for Round Four are as follows:

• Italy v Scotland (Saturday 9th March, 14:15, Stadio Olimpico).
• England v Ireland (Saturday 9th March, 16:45, Twickenham).
• Wales v France (Sunday 10th March, 15:00, Principality Stadium).

Excitement and anticipation are building ahead of the Fourth Round of the 2024 Guinness Six Nations.

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