It was all smiles as Lee Jones crossed the line but proved to be too little in the end © Getty Images

On days like these it is hard not to feel a little bit like the Scotland fan who cried wolf. Most in Scotland have been heartened by aspects of Scotland's performances in the Six Nations so far. We are enjoying the positive influence our newer players are having on the way the team plays; on the way they attack. But against England they failed to take chances and against Wales failed to concentrate and the games slipped away from them.

So we have already said, written, or read almost everything there is to say about passion, guts and grit; about being plucky losers.

Then they go and put in an actual performance against the World Cup finalists, scoring two great (and non fluke) tries in the process and almost treat the sell-out crowd to a home victory.

But still they lose.

France always looked dangerous when they got the ball, especially in counter-attacking play. But honestly, so did Scotland. Finally they harnessed in attack the same attributes listed above that have long been present defensively in the Scotland team since Andy Robinson took over, sprinkling in a little pace and flair for good measure. This time they didn't go to sleep after half time, instead taking the lead back. This game was close until very near the end.

Behind an attacking pair of half backs, players who have previously been innocuous suddenly sprang into life. Given a chance to redeem himself after Rory Lamont suffered a nasty injury (again), Nick De Luca forced his way into the game, making several huge hits in defence and making good on the duff pass from the week before to put Richie Vernon into space for Lee Jones' try. Jones now sits on three caps and a try, Stuart Hogg (age 19) on two caps and a try. In certain corners of the Scotland team, youth has eclipsed fear of failure and it was a tremendous pleasure to watch.

In the end though, it was the hard edge Philippe St Andre has installed that killed our buzz. France ground out penalties in the scrums as the Scots tired. A more carefree France might have chucked it about to the end, allowing Scotland a faint chance. But the lessons of losing a World Cup final are learnt deeply. In the final quarter France did what a colleague referred to as "replacing the clown at your birthday party with John Major", and Scotland could not claw back enough ball for the score they needed.

Andy Robinson himself is now in a tricky situation. His results in the Six Nations are worse than Frank Hadden's and his team left the World Cup earlier than any other Scotland side. On paper his reign has been far from satisfactory, and there are rumbles about his future should Scotland fail to get a win in this campaign. Neither Ireland nor Italy will be easy.

Yet his Scotland team look more capable (at times) than any in years, and this year and last they could have won most of the Six Nations encounters they have been involved in. He has a settled pack that isn't afraid of anyone, a world class line-out and 8 of the last dozen defeats have been by a converted score or less. He's blooded new attacking talent and not all of it forced by injury. He has presided over victories against South Africa, Australia and a test series in Argentina - who made France look like clowns a few years ago when they toured.

Which brings us back to the game. Scotland fought for it tooth and nail, but they tired towards the very end when they needed energy the most. The pace at which Robinson wants the game to be played clearly had an impact when compounded with the tremendous physical forces required to contain France. Injuries didn't help.

Robinson has always been brutally frank in saying that our players have to play for 80 minutes at the top of their games to even compete with the top nations. If we can build towards wins against Ireland and Italy, that along with the performances to date should be enough to allow Robinson to make his mark properly towards 2015. Those two games could easily go against us though, and it is disappointing that speculation about the coach is growing even as the team makes clear headway.

I'm happy with the progression Scotland are making, but without results the wolves will soon have the scent of blood.

Rory Baldwin- @ScotRugbyBlog

Owen Farrell finds his way blocked, but he shone for England © Getty Images

Not many England fans would have envisaged a day where they were positive after a home defeat against Wales, but the manner in which they were beaten at Twickenham on Saturday gave a lot to look forward to as signs of a bright future for English rugby shone through.

Undoubtedly it was a disappointing defeat considering England led for the majority of the game but when it came to the most important period of the encounter, the last 20 minutes, experience and guile on the Welsh side seemed to take over. Even when David Strettle’s late try was disallowed by the TMO, there still seemed to be an air of satisfaction around Twickenham that everything hadn’t quite gone as badly as some had predicted.

Wales went into the game as favourites, and rightly so, but England stood toe-to-toe with them in what was an entertaining and exciting encounter for both sets of supporters. In many periods of the game, it was impossible to call a winner and in the end a draw may have been a fair result, a positive reflection on how well the ‘new’ England are progressing.

Most experts expected one side to turn up with an attacking and expansive approach whilst the other side fought doggedly just to grind out a result. Very few would have predicted England to be the former and Wales the latter. But credit must go to the Welsh side who came to Twickenham determined to win at all costs and despite not playing their best rugby, walked away with the victory.

There were some superb performances for the home side including the aforementioned Strettle, Brad Barritt who enjoyed another solid game in the centre and Owen Farrell who looked as comfortable playing at fly-half as he did playing in the centre in the opening two matches of the competition. The introduction of Lee Dickson and Manu Tuilagi to the side added some much needed impetus and tempo as England attacked with a positivity and conviction that has been missing for a number of years.

The performance will have also vindicated the changes Stuart Lancaster made to his side and will certainly put him in the frame to take the head coach’s role on a permanent basis. The caretaker was not afraid to make the big decisions and his choices very nearly paid dividends with a victory over Warren Gatland’s men. If Lancaster continues to pick players on recent form rather than reputation and include quality individuals even if they are inexperienced, then the side will go from strength to strength.

So even though the result will have angered and disappointed many at the weekend, in the cold light of day Lancaster will have been pleased that his side matched, and sometimes bettered, a Welsh outfit that are two or three years into their own rehabilitation. The 2012 Six Nations was always going to be a rebuilding job and one defeat is certainly not enough to blow the house down at this early stage. All England can do now is keep proving that the good times are just around the corner.

Ashley Lambell @ntfcash

Scott Williams crosses for the match-winning score © Getty Images

Wales’ hard fought victory in Twickenham was highly significant for both teams. It provided Wales with the Triple Crown, propelled the Welsh to the top of the Six Nations table and shortened the odds of a third Grand Slam in 7 years. But most of all it has reversed the roles that Wales and England have been playing in rugby for the past decade.

The most obvious reversal came before a ball had been kicked. Wales were favourites to win in Twickenham for the first time in 22 years. As we know, Wales don’t like the ‘favourites tag’; it often weighs so heavily around the players necks that they barely lift their heads. But on this occasion it didn’t. Saturday’s game was a very close encounter. Possession and territory were as good as even (Wales had 54% possession and 52% territory). There was little between the two set pieces with both teams winning 100% of their own scrums and over 80% of their lineouts. Yet on this occasion, despite being such a tight affair, the Welsh refused to let the ‘favourites tag’ turn into a choker.

Wales also had the rare pleasure of fielding the most experienced team of the two. Over the past decade the Welsh have become accustomed to facing England teams packed with 50 cap players who are playing in well drilled combinations. Yet it was Wales who had an average of 32.6 caps per player, and England with just 12.1. It is also worth mentioning that Wales’ superior levels of test experience shouldn’t be confused with age.

Despite the level of caps on show, it was Wales who fielded the younger side with an average age of 25 years and 93 days.

Saturday’s role reversal didn’t always work in Wales’s favour though. In truth, it was Wales who had the more limited game plan. Jamie Roberts carried the ball down the 10/12 channel four times in the opening 12 minutes. This ploy would have been effective if Charlie Hodgson had featured in the starting XV, but nudging Brad Barritt over to 12 meant that channel was well and truly blocked for the afternoon – he made more tackles than any other player in either backline (12). Having seen Wales adopt a very Tindall-esque’ approach to their attacking patterns, it was England who chose to mimic the wide, Welsh attacking patterns of seasons gone by. Owen Farrell had a very good game and frequently played Manu Tuilagi into the wider channels. Farrell’s ability to throw 20 yard passes off both hands also saw England exploit the gaps that occur on the outside of the Welsh blitz defence. To all intents and purposes, England chose the ‘The Welsh Way’.

The most significant role reversal was of course the manner of victory. By Sam Warburton’s own admission, Wales didn’t play very well. Priestland had his shakiest game in a Welsh shirt. The English defence dominated the narrow channels with their militarily organised ruck defence, and Wales once again had a man sent to the bin, yet still managed to eke out a win. It was the sort of victory that Clive Woodward’s England prided themselves on: winning at all costs, no matter what. In that sense, Wales’ win was very English.

Whilst the win was ugly, Scott Williams’s 75th minute try was a thing of beauty. It was a three day coaching course crammed into eight seconds. The rip and strip, was followed by a positionally aware grubber kick, searing pace and a calm two handed collection. It was a sensational passage of Six Nations rugby and will erase the memory of the two man overlap that he squandered in the……………………..? See, it’s gone already.

But it wasn’t just the players on the pitch whose roles have reversed. The manner of the defeat has left English rugby pundits using language that was previously the reserve of the Welsh. England are now the team taking “positives out of defeat”, whilst Wales are grinding out the hard wins. The Welsh are seemingly no longer the “‘shoulda, woulda, coulda’s” of northern hemisphere rugby. With three wins (two away from home), they are becoming the “will, did and have’s” of European rugby.

The hard fought win in Twickenham capped off a significant role reversal between Wales and England. But whilst Wales can be rightly proud of their achievements, they should avoid complacency, because the roles can reverse again just as quickly.

Paul Williams - @thepaulwilliams

Tommy Bowe shone for Ireland scoring two tries © Getty Images

Finally! A win!

It was expected and in fairness to Ireland the score line was better than many expected it to be with Tommy Bowe proving his worth again landing two tries and helping Ireland to record a 42-10 win.

It’s an unusual situation now, sure it was an impressive win but, with all due respect to Italy, it was expected and anything less than a convincing win would have been labeled as not good enough by fans and press alike. The Johnny Sexton critics will be forced to take a back seat it seems as Sexton kicked his way to a man of the match performance, a tally of 17 points in an almost flawless display from the Leinster out half.

After seeing Eoin Reddan come off the bench on Saturday he proved his worth in that team. I would like to see him start against France at the weekend; I said at the start of the campaign it would benefit Sexton to have the familiarity of his Leinster partner in the half back line up and it would seem to me that Declan Kidney has a massive call next week as to who will take on Parra in the battle of scrum half’s. Reddan offered a faster supply to the backs and helped keep up the tempo for Ireland when they needed to show a level of intensity that Italy couldn’t deal with.

Ireland will be happy with the result but it wasn’t as easy as it seems. In the first half particularly, Ireland looked a little slow and lethargic, if that happens against France next week the game will be gone, in a similar fashion to 2008 when Vincent Clerc definitely had Weetabix for breakfast and bagged a first half try against a sleeping Ireland.

The second half was what was needed; it’s what Ireland must do. A far more convincing performance and more clinical edge was key.

Andrew Trimble will be delighted to have got on the score sheet; I’m pretty sure I’m not alone that when I saw his try happen in slow motion I heard the chariots of fire music playing in the background. The Ulsterman has been improving and showing the same form that’s made him instrumental in the team. A beneficiary of O’Driscoll being injured, Trimble is putting his stamp on the wing.

A collector’s item try from Tom Court also added to the day and showed that Ireland can score from all areas but is it enough? Italy have made massive improvements in the last few years but with the game being in Dublin, an Italian win was practically unthinkable. I’m still not convinced Ireland have enough in the locker to beat the French. A good performance yesterday does not mean the problems are gone.

The experimental element of yesterday was interesting too - when Ronan O’Gara came on to become Irelands most capped player (118 caps) it was not Sexton who made way but Gordon D’Arcy, thus pushing Sexton to 12. It meant Ireland had O’Gara in 10, Sexton 12 and Bowe 13, a very unfamiliar line up but one that people had been whispering following the Welsh defeat as a way to deal with the physicality that France would posses.

I wouldn’t read much into it, I think it was more Kidney looking to give O’Gara his honour and also allowing Sexton to finish out a game as a sign of faith, something that he has not really done and has been criticised over by many in the media and public alike.

The romantic fan will believe that a 32 point victory offers Ireland a small glimmer of still being able to win the Championship. Should Ireland beat France and France beat Wales who knows where it could leave the teams on the final day of the tournament? And the final day being March 17th - St. Patrick’s Day, is there really such a thing called ‘Luck of the Irish’? I’m not romantic but I am a sucker for a fairy-tale ending…

Danny Murray - @danjomurray

Will Owen Farrell be all smiles come Saturday evening? © Getty Images

Unassuming yet confident with the decisions he has made, Stuart Lancaster addressed the media explaining why he made his four changes to the England side ahead of this weekend’s crunch clash with Wales at Twickenham. While all the rugby ‘experts’ dash around trying to make their minds up as to whether Lancaster is brave or stupid, the caretaker coach is focussing solely on the team and gaining a result on Saturday.

One change that was forced upon Lancaster was moving Owen Farrell in to play at fly-half after Charlie Hodgson was ruled out with a finger injury. It will be Farrell’s debut in the number 10 jersey for his country but after his performances against Scotland and Italy, it is high-time he was given the chance to show what he can do in that position.

Most England fans would much rather the youngster be handed the shirt over Toby Flood, whose decision to hide away from taking a drop-goal for Leicester last weekend still mystifies most and may have cost him his opportunity to get back into the England side.

Two additions to the team are sure to be bring a much-needed dynamism and power to the England attack as Ben Morgan and Lee Dickson make their first starts at number eight and scrum-half respectively. Both players made an impact when they came off the bench at Murrayfield and at the Stadio Olimpico and Lancaster has shown enough faith in them to hand them the jersey from the off this time around.

Leicester lock Geoff Parling also comes into the side for his first start as he replaces Tom Palmer in a move that will see much more height brought to a line-out which hasn’t really got going yet in this year’s Six Nations.

The final change sees Manu Tuilagi brought back into the team, despite him not having played a huge amount of club rugby of late, to play alongside the impressive Brad Barritt in the centre. It will certainly be an interesting and powerful combination as England go up against strong Welsh backs including Jamie Roberts and George North.

One thing that is for sure is that England will need to raise them performance levels a notch if they are to compete with an excellent Welsh outfit. All the changes that Lancaster has made seem to be positive and attacking and he will hope that his side can reflect that when they take on Warren Gatland’s men at the weekend.

Ashley Lambell @ntfcash

Jamie Heaslip will need to find his form against Sergio Parisse © Getty Images

It’s rare that during the Six Nations an upcoming match is not the dominant story in rugby headlines, but this week Ireland v Italy has to take a back seat with the news whirling around this little island.

First we had our Minister for Transport, Sport and Tourism (a fantastic combination may I say) come out and announce he was supporting the IRFU in their bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup. A story that seems to have baffled some and been scoffed at by others. Then the real story broke, Munster head coach Tony McGahan is set to abandon the province and return to his homeland of Australia to take over the vacant defensive coach position with the national team.

Certainly while the media have been distracted by the goings on in Thomond Park, the Ireland team won’t be fazed by it. Especially Jamie Heaslip who will be more worried about the upcoming opening of his new Dublin restaurant, Bear, than who takes over the reins for Munster.

It’s almost like this weekend’s clash with the Azzurri has been subdued and forgotten following the farce in France two weeks ago. Unsurprisingly Kidney has not changed his starting 15 or replacements from those who were set to take to the pitch in Paris and there are no injury concerns ahead of this weekend’s clash.

So what can we expect? The Italians have certainly improved in the last few years, they’re no longer the out and out wooden spoon favourites and certainly no longer a team to look past and take lightly. Last year’s win over France is arguably one of the greatest moments of the Six Nations ever and it’s sure to have given Sergio Parisse and co. the taste for glory. Yet, if Ireland do not win by a very comfortable margin the press will have a field day. Struggling to Italy in Rome (like last year) is one thing, but at home it is absolutely expected to win by two converted tries.

Ireland are going to need to go at Italy in every area of the game. The war horse that is Martin Castrogiovanni being ruled out through injury is a boost to the Irish scrum, and that will have to be exploited by Cian Healy and Mike Ross to pressure the Italian set pieces.

Rob Kearney will be instrumental for me, he has to launch the highball and get under it, something he is probably one of the best in the world at. Italy struggle under the highball and there is a real chance for Ireland to force errors and gain massive territory if they utilise the kicking game. It’s not the prettiest way to play rugby but you have to hit your opponent’s weak points, after losing the last 3 games in the Aviva a massive performance is expected and needed this Saturday.

The final thing I would want to see and most importantly, is pace and ruthlessness. From the very outset it is going to be important that Ireland run at Italy and make sure to dominate possession. Ball carriers like Bowe, O’Brien, Heaslip and Ferris will have to be at their best and be willing to go for line breaks at every chance available.

Ireland need to make Italy play Ireland’s game. A win here completely changes the mentality of the team and a good win could give the squad a massive confidence boost going into the rescheduled game in Paris next Sunday. I’m being ambitious on this because I expect fireworks, Ireland to win by 16-20.

Danny Murray - @danjomurray

Graeme Morrison will bring a physical presence in the centres © Getty Images

Sometimes when picking a centre pairing coaches go with what they know. Sometimes they go with something off the wall. Sometimes they go for contrast. The rapier and the broadsword. The sniper and the bazooka. The plug and the stick of dynamite.

On Sunday, Scotland will be going with two familiar players. The two players have somewhat familiar styles.

Against Wales the Scots drew plaudits from their opposition for the way they came round the corner, stringing together lots of phases and looking to keep the ball alive. Against France, Scotland want to do this again, but they want to emphasise it even more. They want more phases, for longer, with more predetermined outcomes.

They have picked John Barclay at six to get over the top and secure ball over and over again. They have picked the same assure carriers of Hamilton, Gray, Ford and Denton. Now they have added Graeme Morrison, the Glasgow Warriors centre, back into the team at 12. Sean Lamont moves one out to 13, where he plays regularly for the Scarlets.

With these two it is assured that there will be crash ball. Morrison is a hold up man, unlikely to make jinking breaks, but secure and assured. Lamont is the man who offers himself more than the back-rows.

Many expect passing between the two to be short at best, non-existent at worst. However, those that say this are missing the point. These selections are made for organisational reasons.
In attack Greig Laidlaw will be flat and he can pick his preferred blunt runner, but he can also slip it in behind to the livewire Stuart Hogg who has time to pick his line as he comes into play. No, the attack is one meant to build. Robinson can rest easy with this. His selections are made in order to maximise his team’s defensive potential.

Morrison is direct and accurate with his defensive chat. He may not obliterate an opponent with a tackle, but he’ll make it with little fanfare and negotiate with others so that they hold the perfect defensive position. Lamont is fond of flying out of the line and at 13 he can do this more effectively, as Wales have shown with their Jonathan Davies-led defence.

Scotland want to stifle France. They want their ball to be slow and their outside backs seeing blue; flat; regularly. They also want Scotland’s own phases to be quick; plentiful; consistent.
Andy Robinson has alluded to the fact that he expects a lot of action as Morrison and Lamont face off against Fofana and Rougerie. In particular the battle of the 13 channel should be meaty. Perhaps brutal or ugly are better words. There will be contact.

With his centre selections Robinson expects two plugs in defence and two players working hard on the basics in attack. What many will not expect, though, is for Scotland to win turnovers when France are playing at pace. This is Robinson’s hidden ace. By recalling Morrison, shuffling Sean Lamont out one and putting a 6 on John Barclay’s back, Scotland have assured that a neat defensive line will be formed and Rennie and Lamont can fly up ahead of it. Scotland will be more nippy in defence than we have seen for a while.

It will remain to be seen if Scotland’s set piece can be as stuffy when faced with staunch Gallic opposition too. If scrum ball is secured and a French driving maul halted, Scotland may just nag their way to a favourable footing in the game.

Then they have to get over the line...

Alan Dymock- @ScotRugbyBlog

An Ireland fan vents their frustration at the postponed game © Getty Images

We’ve all seen or heard of the Hollywood classic when Harry met Sally, well this weekend gone in Paris we were treated to a Rugby version – When Jamie met Hari.

Rather than two of the top number 8’s in world rugby going into battle, we saw the Irish and Leinster hero ask Imanol Harinordoquy if he fancied a few drinks. A light hearted moment amongst what was one of the most farcical things ever seen in the professional age of Rugby.

A 9pm. kick-off was always questionable, but when the announcement came through the TV at 8:53 that the match was off, it raised more than a few eyebrows. Fans sitting in the Stade de France were alerted to the cancellation by text messages from people watching at home, before finally, some 12 minutes after those watching on TV were told, an official announcement in the stadium came.

The announcement was met with bemusement and disbelief. It had been on people’s minds in the days leading up to the game but when the initial pitch inspection gave the green light everyone thought HUZZAH! Game on. There were little to no indications inside the stadium to say otherwise, but when no national anthems were sang by 8:55 everyone had a fair idea.

It was a nightmare. Initially referee Dave Pearson, was on the receiving end of some abuse from those in the stands before it dawned on the crowd, Pearson wasn’t at fault at all. He was merely acting to ensure player welfare was at a paramount and bravo for that ballsy call. As much as I and most Irish fans would love to blast Pearson, he is totally blameless in this. The total and full responsibility rested on the French organisers.

How was it that this world class, modern, 80,000 seater stadium, which has hosted both the soccer and rugby world cup finals managed to fall victim of some cold weather? How was it that the French Rugby Federation couldn’t be better prepared for this? How could the whole thing be handled so badly? This is Paris, a city famed for architecture, yet their national stadium caused an international embarrassment.

Vincent Clerc had spoke in the week leading up the match about his concerns for the pitch; it was frozen in parts during the game against Italy a week earlier. Surely the ground staff must have had a better idea? Why were pitch inspections held at four and seven pm the day before kick off? Surely an inspection at the same time of kick off, would have given better results as to what would happen on the night?

Anyone who knows the smallest bit about farming could tell you that, in cold weather conditions, when you have a covered area of grass, removing said cover will just make the area freeze over super fast. How can the ground staff of a world class stadium not know this?

There are so many questions surrounding what was an absolute joke last Saturday that you would be forgiven if you complained of migraine trying to get to the bottom of it all. In an even more bizarre move, the FFR held a press conference following the announcement that referee Dave Pearson, had decided the match would not take place. At this press conference Mr. Pearson was nowhere to be seen and no questions were to be asked.

This has not been a good image building exercise for French rugby, granted it’s not quite Mathieu Bastareaud and New Zealand 2009, but it is an embarrassing situation that has left them the subject of snide comments and sneering jokes.

The flip side of the game being called off for Ireland? Having lost to Wales a fixture with France was the least favourite follow up game. The rescheduled fixture is now March 4, meaning Ireland’s next game is a home encounter with Italy, offering a golden opportunity to get a win and build up some confidence and belief ahead of the proposed new date. This leaves the two nations with the daunting task of four games in four weeks. Simply translated this means advantage Wales and England in the hunt for Championship glory.

Oh, and sadly Hari said no to Jamie, another Valentines heart crushed, but at least we have the sequel to look forward to in three weeks time.

Danny Murray - @danjomurray

Alex Cuthbert takes the ball into contact © Getty Images

Wales beat Scotland by 27 -13. And although it was a comfortable win for the Welsh, there was every reason that it shouldn’t have been.

Wales may have outscored the Scots by three tries to one1, but in truth, the opposition were in the ascendency for long periods of the game. The Scottish pack snaffled 61% of the possession and secured 59% of the territory. Their lineout and scrum was perfect for the entire game – they didn’t lose a single scrum or lineout on their own ball.

The Scottish back row gummed-up the breakdown, with Ross Rennie’s effectiveness being particularly hard to stomach for Welsh supporters – which is ironic given his surname. However, it is worth mentioning that whilst much will be made of the Scottish pack’s display, they were essentially playing against a second string eight. Wales were missing five starting players and both Ryan Jones and the debutant Aaron Shingler were playing in positions that neither would regard as their strongest.

Scotland didn’t just rule up front though, they also completed more passes, beat more defenders and offloaded the ball nearly twice as much as Wales. But unfortunately for Scotland, this all proves that it doesn’t matter how much ball you have; it’s what you do with it that counts.

The Welsh backline only had 39% of the ball, but that was enough to score three tries and finish the game thirty minutes before the final whistle. Admittedly, Scotland’s two yellow cards helped, but the Welsh three quarters were clinical, almost surgical, with Leigh Halfpenny and Alex Cuthbert providing the deepest incisions.

Cuthbert was impressive. At 6”6’ and 16st 6lbs he is the biggest wing in the tournament and his acceleration into the tackle caused Scotland endless problems on Sunday. The manner in which he dispatched Laidlaw on the way to the try line brought up the sort of mismatch that you normally see at an under 12’s game – Cuthbert being the player who already has stubble and chest hair, Laidlaw the one whose shorts have been bought for him to grow into. The Blues wing relentlessly chased Priestland’s accurate kicks, made six tackles and missed none. But it was his left handed pass to set up Leigh Halfpenny’s try that was the most pleasing - choosing a simple pass (off his wrong hand) demonstrated a maturity and awareness rarely seen in single cap wings.

If Cuthbert’s performance came as a surprise to many, Leigh Halfpenny’s didn’t. The Blues fullback (and I call him a fullback because that is where he should play) is fast becoming the first name on Gatland’s team. If his currency within world rugby rises any higher, he is going to require a name change. Having been given the kicking tee by Gatland, Halfpenny restored the Welsh goal kicking percentage to 83.3%, up 40% on last week’s efforts against Ireland.

Halfpenny’s defence was once again superb, his ankle tackle on Rory Lamont was one of the most technically proficient tackles you will ever see – you’ll find it on page 1, article 1, point 1, sub section 1 in the ‘Tackling’ text book. He angled his body towards the touchline, took the ankle and used his momentum to drag the ball carrier’s foot in to touch.

Halfpenny’s running lines were direct and his neat, consistent stride pattern yet again delivered zero loss of pace when changing direction. Another notable facet of his play is his desire to get around the back of the posts when touching down for a try. A rash of fanciful dives and elaborate try celebrations from modern wing three quarters often leave unnecessarily difficult conversions for goal kickers.

Whilst the Welsh backline were superb with ball in hand, there is one player who doesn’t need the ball to make his mark on the game. Dan Lydiate’s defensive performance was world class. In fact, I think he may even have written the ‘Tackling’ text book. Lydiate’s line speed and repertoire of ankle, waist, and wrap tackles dictate where the ‘tackle-line’ is.

We rarely hear about the ‘tackle-line’; its importance is dwarfed by its big brother the ‘gain-line’. But the tackle-line dictates just how far you have to travel in order to get to the gain-line, and with current defensive alignments already making the gainline a difficult ask, Lydiate’s defensive capabilities make it even harder.

Despite a promising performance from the Scottish pack, Wales won comfortably. It proves that it doesn’t matter how much ball you have, it’s what you do with it that counts. I think we are all looking forward to seeing what the Welsh team do with it at Twickenham.

Paul Williams - @thepaulwilliams

Stuart Hogg prepares to get smashed © Getty Images

Pitted against the Dragons’ fire, Scotland were not quite the phoenix some had expected, but they were not quite the chocolate fireguard, either. For brief spell they burned brightly, only to melt under pressure later on.

It is hard to surmise the mood in the North because such sporadic performances can be both encouraging and demoralising. In fact, to put it in more specific terms, the team performed admirably but individuals made victory that much harder.

Chris Cusiter was bold and full of voice in the first half. He strived to move defenders before hitting Laidlaw and he was Scotland’s only clearing option for most of his time on the pitch. Then he made a blunder in the start of the second half, flapping a foot at the restart and dabbing it into touch. From the resulting lineout the Welsh built pressure and a score came.

Suddenly Cusiter’s attempts to stretch looked more like crabbing alongside play, slowing things down. His box-kicks looked too long and aimed directly at Cuthbert and Halfpenny. He was replaced.

Scotland’s team were full of moments of inspiration and despair on Sunday afternoon.

Laidlaw ran quite well and scored Scotland’s try and almost chipped his way to another. He struggled to clear his lines, though, and he could have missed out Sean Lamont more.

Indeed Lamont showed again that he is not a viable option at twelve. Too many times he fended with his hand, tucked and cut inside or trucked straight ahead. Two years ago that was great because he would push his torso through and lay off an offload. On Sunday this was never going to happen. He looked better when he drifted to the fringes.

Outside him De Luca was busy and chatted well in defence, but his yellow card was a moment of inexcusable idiocy. With him off for ferreting at Jonathan Davies off the ball Wales were a man up and scored in the corner with Halfpenny. This try was made to look worse by a poor positional slip by Lee Jones, but the numbers showed. Moments later Scotland were down to thirteen men as Rory Lamont infringed from an offside position, again earning a silly yellow card.

There were errors of judgement like this all over the park, from Jacobsen’s panicked pick-up attempt a metre from Wales’ line, to the poor pass from De Luca to Hogg which should have been a try on the kid’s debut.

Now, I have deliberately missed three things out in the first part of this breakdown. I have not mentioned how well Wales blitzed, with Lydiate and Davies leading the way, and I did not mention the referee Roman Poite who disallowed a perfectly good try. I did not mention these two factors because Scotland did not lose to Wales because of a wrong refereeing decision, much like they did not lose to Wales because they failed to deal with a player shooting out of the line wider out.

Scotland lost to Wales because they had no consistency of performance whilst Wales played in the same blitzing, slinging manner for 80 minutes.

The other reason I have erred on the critical side in the first half of this piece is because my third missing point is the most encouraging one and it is the reason Scotland were not humiliated, despite their senseless yellow cards and their inconsistencies.

Scotland showed fleeting moments of brilliance.

Blair replaced Cusiter and looked sharp. Laidlaw threatened and was always on the move. Jim Hamilton had the game of his life and was the player I thought epitomised Scotland’s spirit for the entirety of his game, from smashing George North to smothering lineout catchers to rucking and harrying like a man possessed.

Ross Rennie seems to be the accidental polymath. He looks like he has wandered onto the pitch with socks down, in the way of someone else’s periphery, but then he brightly bursts into position, chasing hard and linking play with exceptional pace. He shot through rucks and brushed scrum-halves all game, if only to slow ball for a second. He was good at everything he tried. He was brilliant.

Richie Gray, perhaps jealous that the other monster with a barnet David Denton soaked up all the accolades last week, ran as if he intended to dent the stadium. His mate at eight did the same again.

Stuart Hogg, on for the injured Evans, moved to full-back and looked like he was creating space just by existing. He burned past Lion Jamie Roberts as if he were a water carrier. He jinked into holes and was assured under the high ball. He seemed more of a skilled focal point. He scored on his debut, despite it being chalked off.

On top of all of this Scotland’s first half defence and scramble defence when numbers down was exceptional. The voices rang in unison and no one shirked a hit. They may have lost but they left an indelible mark on their red running rivals.

Scotland fans will be encouraged by Laidlaw, Blair and Hogg, Rennie, Gray, Denton and Hamilton. All should play in the next fixture. The mission for Scotland now is to decide whether they change the centres to keep pace with their nippy half-backs, careening back-row and enigma at fifteen.

Sort that and the inconsistencies may just dwindle. Things may just brighten up again.

Alan Dymock- @ScotRugbyBlog

Chris Robshaw is all smiles after England's victory © Getty Images

England’s post-World Cup rehabilitation gathered further momentum on Saturday when they stormed the Stadio Olimpico and came away with a gritty and spirited 19-15 win, a result that may make some experts sit up and take notice of this fledging side.

Was the performance faultless? No. Are there improvements to be made? Certainly. Does that take the shine off of this result? Absolutely not. Consider for a moment that France, a side who went on to reach the World Cup final, lost in Rome in last year’s Six Nations in much better conditions and you get a sense of just how impressive this victory was for an inexperienced but growing England outfit.

The first challenge for the men in white was not their opposition but the state of the pitch and the conditions in the Italian capital. With snow covering a major percentage of the Stadio Olimpico field at kick-off, any form of expansive, running rugby was always going to be hard to fashion. In fact the opening half-hour of the match was almost farcical, as a cocktail of messy scrums and dreadful kicking must have left the Rome crowd wishing that the game had been postponed.

Somehow in the melee, the cool and collected Owen Farrell had managed to kick England into a 6-0 lead with two long-range penalties. But in the closing stages of the opening period, the visitors threw away all of their hard work as they gifted the Azzurri two tries in as many minutes. Sloppy errors in defence by England allowed Giovanbattista Venditti and Tomasso Benvenuti to run in a score apiece and after a first half that they had kept tight for the majority, Stuart Lancaster’s side were 12-6 at the break.

But as is the way with this new-look side, England came out in the second half and played with a determination that defied the elements and the odds. Despite a penalty from Kris Burton extending the hosts’ lead, a chargedown try by Charlie Hodgson, for the second week in a row, dragged England back into contention. Two more penalties from Farrell, who is already looking like a world-class player in this embryonic side, put the Red Rose in front and it was a lead they held onto until full-time.

An excellent result away from home for England but there may well be changes ahead of the visit of Wales in two weeks time. Ben Morgan and Lee Dickson came off the bench in the second half and made an instant impact; giving the team much more impetus and making the visitors look increasingly dangerous when they attacked the Italian defence. Morgan and Dickson must now start against the Welsh at Twickenham if England are to avoid the sort of slow start they endured against both Scotland and Italy.

So England sit second on the Six Nations table with two wins from two and Lancaster must be wondering just how difficult international rugby management can get. Well with Wales, France and Ireland still to play, it is going to get a lot tougher but with two impressive away victories behind them, many England fans will be wondering just how far they can go in this competition.

Ashley Lambell @ntfcash

Italy celebrate their score against England but it proved to be short lived © Getty Images

They say it snows once every eight years in Rome. Fittingly or poetically, the Olimpico was indeed sheeted with snow for the Azzurri's Six Nations debut at the venue. The Italians began the match not at all intimidated by their opponents nor surroundings, and the backs and third-liners were playing aggressive defence. The forwards were also dominating the line-outs.

But the Azzurri's eagerness was at times taking the worst out of them, especially on the attack, when silly handling errors were keeping them from scoring during the first quarter of the match. It was all sounding too familiar: bruising Italians dominating the first stages of the match, but facing a side that doesn't lose its cool nor confidence for a second. Her Majesty's subjects were punishing enough themselves, and were also making sure the Italian backs didn't take any liberties once inside the English defensive line.

Indeed, after the mistake of Italy's most celebrated player, the English sink a penalty kick while surpassing the 500-point all-time mark against their Mediterranean adversaries.

At the 32-minute mark, the proverbial opera-singing tenor would have shouted 'tragedia!', followed by a desperate cry: Martín Castrogiovanni fractures at least one rib after a hard, clean blindside tackle and is lost for perhaps the remainder of the tournament. Right after that, another penalty and three more points for England with four minutes left in the half.

When all seemed lost, however, captain Parisse lifted the team's spirits by recovering a ball which looked all but lost in a ruck, after which the Azzurri followed through with their attack, forced a couple of defensive mistakes on the English and recorded a try, not converted, but wholeheartedly celebrated by a 72,000-plus crowd. And at the last play of the half, superstitious fellows would be figuring it was big Castrogiovanni jinxing it, because the Azzurri capitalised on an improbable Ben Foden mistake to run almost the length of the field and ground the ball between the posts for seven points.

At the return, the question was whether the young Italian side would be battle-scarred enough to hold off the English. The first answer to that question was 'no' when Burton's incomprehensible long-distance drop goal attempt went for naught at the three-minute mark. Nevertheless, after two runs taken by the English against Sergio Parisse, which brought fears of yet another match-ending injury to a top-notch player, Burton fixed his boot and recorded three more points from the ensuing penalty.

They were to be the Azzurri's last in the match.

Any doubts the English would be able to regroup were smashed by a textbook, deep charge-down on Andrea Masi, of all people, delivered and followed by Charlie Hodgson for a try, subsequently duly converted for the full seven points.

This was 'all' that was required to break the Azzurri's spirits. The next penalty conceded by the home side was converted for three points, which put England ahead for the first time and for good.

Smart defensive play by the boys in blue prevented another English try at the 62-minute mark. But Parisse then played the unlikely sinner when he fumbled the ball while being hardly touched following another one his textbook quick retrievals. Italy collapsed the ensuing scrum and England converted the easy penalty to put final numbers on the board.

The crowd kept on pushing; il Capitano kept on not holding anything back despite being visibly injured and his men rallied around him. Parisse's play was indeed worth of man of the match honours precisely because of that. England played rugby through trying to put together an effective, but boring, collective game. But, Italy just lacks three or four pieces to build enough depth in order to constantly defeat the more traditional opponents. The mistakes were fewer than last week, but they have cost them dearly. If it wasn't for Burton's and Botes' below-par kicking, they could have won this one nonetheless. On a lighter note, I, for one, am not notorious for pitying Frenchmen, but the camera close-ups on Monsieur Brunel from the Hodgson try were heart breaking.

It is unfortunate that it seems Italy is once again fighting against holding on to the wooden spoon. But it does look like they won't be perennial holders in the future -baby steps the next couple of seasons should put them well ahead of that.

Daniel Bergamasco - @doubles666

Keith Earls is back in the Ireland side © Getty Images

Oh to visit Paris in the Spring, what a wonderful time to visit such a city. Great art, great food, great wine, and the city of romance...ideal for a weekend break, unless you're a travelling Irish rugby team.

Just twice in the past 60 years have Ireland taken a 'W' from French soil, 1972 and the year of our 'BOD' and saviour, 2000. Last Sunday, Declan Kidney saw his men slump to a better Welsh team for the third game in a row. Out powered, out played, and out manoeuvred - surely a change has to take place? Yes. Just one however, Keith Earls enters the fray at 13 and Fergus McFadden falls to the bench.

Besides Keith Earls, the Ireland team is place for place the same team that lost to Wales last week. In my humble opinion, one change is not enough. An unchanged pack and line up will mean Ireland will struggle to contain the French. Earls is weak defensively, having guys like Aurelien Rougerie, running at him is the last thing the Irish would want. Should France decide to run the ball Ireland will not cope, if it goes to the ground at least there is some hope of being able to slow the play down.

Ireland will need to cope with that running game for 80 minutes. Should they switch off in similar fashion to last Sunday, France will pummel the Irish try line over and over. Vincent Clerc’s first half hat-trick of 2008 may be just a memory, but the French winger also crushed Irish hopes in 2007 and is a player who does not need to be asked twice if he would like score. Julien Malzieu and Wesley Fofana are amongst the most dangerous runners in the game today, Trimble and Bowe will need to be at their sterling best in both attack and defence in order to give any hope of a positive result.

‘The Kiss Factor’ is also something that is significant in Ireland’s prospects this weekend. Coach Les Kiss has dual responsibility for defence and attack since the departure of Alan Gaffney, and with Kiss being a defensive maestro it is difficult to see how he can switch between shutting out and maximising scoring in the blink of an eye.

It is not an impossible task for Ireland to get a result in Stade de France, although history would show us that it is damn near as close to impossible as can be. Only the All Blacks have proved as daunting for Ireland in the past, but a win in Paris could give some hope to the Irish camp and fan. The all important win could also give Kidney some breathing space, discontent is mounting against the Cork native, so much so that Rob Kearney came out in the week and asked for blame to be placed on players and not coaches.

If we are to win Ireland’s back row will be vital. Heaslip, Ferris and O’Brien are among the best in the world in their respective positions but in the last two games against Wales no real force was seen from the trio. Legendary pundit, George Hook has led the call for change in the pack, heralding Munster’s uncapped Peter O’Mahony, as the logical choice for open side flanker.

The French back row will consist of Harinordoquy, Picamoles and Dusautoir. An inspiring troika if ever there was one, perhaps introducing an inexperienced O’Mahony would be ill advised against France but, Kidney will have to examine the team selection should the result go south on Saturday night.

A frozen pitch in Paris will be of the least concern to travelling fans. The cold snap in Europe may be severe but the Irish contingent will expect a much improved performance on last weekend’s defeat, no matter the conditions. Ireland will be the underdog and the wounds of the Wales match are still on the surface, but a wounded animal is often the most dangerous, here’s hoping there is plenty of fight left in the dog. Allez les Verts...

Danny Murray - @danjomurray

All eyes will be on Greig Laidlaw at fly-half © Getty Images

Ahh, how quickly a Six Nations can go downhill if you are a Scotland fan. One week you are wondering (again) if this is the year, the next you are hoping beyond hope that the Welsh - who have not lost to Scotland in Cardiff since 2002 - suddenly forget they were one spear tackle away from a World Cup final and start playing the sort of rubbish required to allow us into the game.

Scotland are of course capable of providing the necessary intensity to force Wales into mistakes, but as usual it is our own mistakes that have haunted us this week. Following the butchery of a cut and dry 2 on 1 against England, Ross Rennie would probably like some pointers on how to draw the man and pass, but it's largely a forgotten art even for ball-players like the Welsh and Irish, never mind the Scottish midfield. Everyone loves a miss pass, or in our case a missed pass.

Now the stand-off issue has to a degree been settled with the unfortunately-timed retiral of Dan Parks - allowing us to debate which of the young talents to play, rather than worrying that we have no young talent in that position - attention (and probably the ire of the internet ranters) will turn to the 12 and 13 shirts. Sean Lamont and Nick De Luca are, like Parks, hugely committed to Scotland but also receive their share of stick. Lamont for not passing enough (well, he is a winger) and De Luca for not being as brilliant for Scotland as he frequently is for Edinburgh. The reason Dutchman (and soon to qualify for Scotland) Tim Visser has scored more tries this season himself than the entire Scotland team in the last two Six Nations is largely down to the creative play of De Luca inside him, and the play of inside centres Matt Scott and James King, whose presence means that every second ball doesn't always disappear into contact.

A lot of it is also down to Greig Laidlaw who reads a game brilliantly from 9 or 10. If the option is on, Edinburgh take it; this is the sort of heads up rugby that Laidlaw will bring. Our main problem this week is that would have been ideal to take England apart (it so nearly did) but Wales will have much less of a problem dealing with it.

With a well-drilled defence they love a counter-attack, they have pacy and skillful backs and no lack of brute strength. Having persisted with bulky wings for years, we ditch ours (or turn them into centres) to go with pace and skill; only to find that the blasted Welsh have found some way to combine the two...

There is a little hope, though. With Warburton injured and Davies banned for an off the ball spear-tackle (another one), Scotland will look to get the edge in the set piece, certainly in the lineout. With a platform who knows what Scotland could be capable of, but the problem is the Wales backline is likely to need little more than parity up front in order to exert an influence on the scoreboard.

Still we, are exactly where we like to be: massive underdogs.

Rory Baldwin - @ScotRugbyBlog

Ben Morgan will have to be content with a spot on the bench against Italy © Getty Images

Travelling to a sold-out Stadio Olimpico for a tough encounter against an improving Italian side is the next challenge for Stuart Lancaster’s England side and the interim boss has selected the same 15 gladiators to start in Rome as they did at Murrayfield last weekend. It is the first time England have named an unchanged side in nearly two years and only the eighth time in Six Nations history.

Before the game against Scotland, Lancaster highlighted the importance of not making rash decisions and for the side to get some consistency. Therefore it comes as no shock that the boss is willing to reflect those principals in his team selection; he has even named the same replacements’ bench as he did in Edinburgh.

Phil Dowson, who had a quite but effective game last weekend, keeps his place despite coming under pressure from the impressive youngster Ben Morgan who made a real impact after coming off the bench in the opening game. Scrum-half Lee Dickson has also managed to make the replacements’ bench despite suffering a hand injury in the win at Murrayfield and should continue to pressurise Ben Youngs for the number 9 jersey.

Lancaster’s belief that formerly-injured players shouldn’t just walk back into the team is coming to fruition as the fit-again Toby Flood is being asked to play for his club side Leicester Tigers and prove that he deserves a place in the international side. Charlie Hodgson will continue to wear the number 10 shirt in Rome after a good performance against Scotland, a game in which he scored the only try.

Overall, this selection is a hugely positive one for English rugby as it shows the belief and confidence that Lancaster has in his side to get the job done. Before the win last week, all they had to show for their efforts were a few sagely-chosen words and some impressive PR but now with a result to back up their talk, this England side could go from strength to strength throughout this tournament.

All players love continuity and most of the partnerships in the England side are just beginning to blossom. If they show that consistency that Lancaster craves then another victory away from home could be on the cards.

England team to face Scotland: Ben Foden; Chris Ashton; Brad Barritt, Owen Farrell, David Strettle; Charlie Hodgson; Ben Youngs; Alex Corbisiero, Dylan Hartley, Dan Cole; Mouritz Botha, Tom Palmer; Tom Croft, Chris Robshaw (captain), Phil Dowson

Ashley Lambell @ntfcash

George North celebrates the memorable victory at the Aviva Stadium © Getty Images

Wales’s win in Dublin was hugely significant for the players, the coaching staff and the nation, but not for the obvious reasons. This was, of course, a vital away win on the opening weekend of the Championship, and it was earned against a much vaunted Irish team who had shunned the opportunity to rebuild and instead picked a squad and starting XV with the clear intent of winning the championship.

But the significance of Wales’s victory is greater than its impact on this year’s Six Nations table. This was the win that the rugby world has said that Wales must master. The win where things go wrong, yet the team still manage to close out a victory. The win that the All Blacks and South Africa routinely execute whether home or away.

The build-up to the game wasn’t ideal. Wales had a raft of pre-tournament injuries. Alun Wyn Jones and Luke Charteris were the long-term casualties, whilst Gethin Jenkins, Dan Lydiate and Matthew Rees added to the worries late on. These are the sort of injuries that would have knocked the Welsh team sideways in previous years. Few teams can afford to lose two British Lions and a player of Lydiate’s quality, yet Wales coped.

Ryan Jones was superb at the Aviva. He carried the ball 11 times, mostly in the narrow channels, which freed Toby Faletau to run into the spaces that appear in the 10/12/13 channels. Rhys Gill was a more than able replacement for Gethin Jenkins. He controlled Mike Ross in the scrum and carried well in the loose. As too did Huw Bennett, the Welsh Hooker who replaced Matthew Rees. But whilst Bennett’s ball carrying and scrummaging are rarely questioned – the same cannot be said of his ability to control the flight of a Gilbert Virtuo Match Ball.

Which brings me to the line-out. The Welsh lineout functioned at 71.4% - the lowest lineout succession rate of any team in the opening weekend. Four or five seasons ago losing 4 lineouts from 14 would have derailed Welsh momentum, yet this time it didn’t.

The Welsh lineout was undoubtedly poor, but the goal kicking was worse. A kick success rate of 42.9%, as it was on Sunday, is spectacularly bad in Test rugby. Wales’s goal kicking problems have been building since the transition from Stephen Jones to Rhys Preistland took place during the summer. But despite poor kicking being one of the major reasons why Wales struggled to fulfil their true potential in the World Cup against Ireland, the Welsh overcame it.

Wales’s final problem came courtesy of Bradley Davies’s Mexican wrestling impression in the 65th minute. It was one of the most ill-conceived and malicious incidents that I have witnessed in professional rugby. It ranks up there with Tana Umaga and Kevin Mealamu’s tag team manoeuvre on Brian O’Driscoll in 2005. ‘Tip tackles’ have already cost Wales a place in the World Cup Final and it looked as though Davies’s lunacy would have a similar effect in Dublin. Luckily, it didn’t.

Whilst a few things did go wrong on Sunday, plenty went right. Despite missing four of their first choices, the Welsh tight five delivered 57% possession and 58% territory – and that’s with the inability to maintain possession and territory via lineout possession. Ian Evans stood out in particular. He looked like a man making up for lost time, carrying the ball 11 times, making 9 tackles and missing none.

If the Welsh pack bullied the Irish, the Welsh backs actions verged on grievous bodily harm. The current Welsh three quarters are truly enormous and their impact on the diminutive Gordon D’Arcy and Fergus McFadden was memorable. Sextons inclusion meant that the Welsh didn’t target the usually fragile ten channel and instead focused on the 12/13 channel. The result was that the Irish centres had to make 27 tackles between them.

But these weren’t the sort of tackles that involve neatly nipping at a Welsh centre’s heels as he attempts to glide around your outside shoulder, these were the sort of tackles that make you wish you had retired after the World Cup.

Whilst Roberts, and Jon Davies in particular, owned the midfield, it was George North who attracted the deepest intakes of breath. North is beginning to make seasoned internationals look naive. He has drawn comparisons with Jonah Lomu, and in the sixth minute of the game, the comparison became very apt. North took the ball from an almost standing start, brushed aside Jamie Heaslip and began bearing down on Rob Kearney as Lomu did with Mike Catt in 1995. Admittedly, Kearney made a better fist of it than Catt and committed to the tackle, but the result was the same – there’s something unedifying about seeing a Lions’ fullback rolling around on his back like an upturned turtle.

Yesterday’s performance wasn’t just about Wales’ ball carriers, the ball players also played well. Despite a terrible performance kicking from the tee, and a few loose tactical kicks, Rhys Preistland once again released the Welsh three-quarters in a way that no other Welsh ten can. It is a pleasure to watch him scan the field, and change the point of attack at will. His mid-range pass is always ‘in front’ and affords the receiver every opportunity to get over the gain line. Priestland’s passes also have a relatively loose spiral and are easy to catch, resulting in fewer handling errors in the backline.

Leigh Halfpenny’s stature may be dwarfed by the rest of the backline, but his contribution was once again gigantic. He started the game at fullback with no kicking responsibilities and ended the game on the wing with the weight of Welsh expectation on his shoulders. Whilst Alex Cuthbert’s rather cutthroat removal saw Halfpenny end up on the wing, he is becoming one of the best fullbacks in Europe – and that is surely where Gatland sees his future.

Wales’ win in Dublin was enormous. They got it right even when things were going wrong. I can’t wait to see what happens when everything goes right.

Paul Williams - @thepaulwilliams

Andy Robinson was helpless as Scotland failed to score yet again © Getty Images

Andy Robinson asked for chaos ahead of the Calcutta Cup match, but it wasn't quite the chaos that he had hoped for. I am sure he envisioned an onslaught of hefty runners offloading at pace and grinding the young England into the muddy turf of Murrayfield, regaining consciousness to find themselves down by a healthy margin and the Scots rampant.

Dropped balls, knock ons, wobbly scrums and penalties in the middle of the park were probably not what was in the game plan. The rain and snow never really materialised, and aside from a big break by Jim Hamilton Scotland's early efforts to take the game to England were rebuffed. Most of the running was done by England's back three as Dan Parks kicked leisurely balls to them in plenty of space.

It was still helter-skelter stuff on display, but George Clancy's decisions went both ways. As the game wore on and Scotland grew desperate, the decisions skewed distinctly in favour of England who by then had a sniff and were resolute in putting the game beyond Scotland; despite coming off second best in territory, possession, passes and missed tackles - but not the scoreboard. Hodgson's try was against the run of the whole match, but it gave this young England side the edge they needed in a match that should never have been this close.

You feel for the Scotland pack in a game like this. Ross Rennie and David Denton were the most outstanding, but everyone carried manfully and often. The scrum was a mixed bag, the lineout was solid.

In return the backs did what Scotland backs have done for years: ran sideways or into blind alleys, failed to pop up in support, or threw passes to no-one, or kicked away possession. Sprinkle little mistakes from everyone on top of that particular cake and it begins to taste a bit stale.

Sean Lamont at inside centre was virtually anonymous in the first hour - not necessarily his fault as he had little ball, but if Scotland are going to make the best of their outside backs (Lamont included) - who do have talent, who can beat their man and even pass sometimes - then they are going to need a more creative axis at 10 and 12.

And so to Parks. He didn't have his worst game, but before there was no-one of any great quality to replace him. Now we have Laidlaw and Weir waiting in the wings; neither is the finished article, but they could offer more to a Scotland team even at their current level. This means that every mistake Parks makes now only amplifies the groans around the ground, and around the country. It also puts undue pressure on Andy Robinson who seems once again to be clinging to favourites and distracting attention from the genuine progress he has made in every area save try-scoring.

Laidlaw's self-made "try" was fairly dubious, but it highlighted the difference he would have made had he been on from the start. Suddenly the backs started to look like they knew what they were doing, compared to say a fancy attacking move in the first half that ended with Parks throwing a cheeky wee pass behind to no-one. With this result putting paid to the need to chase wins above all else (no Grand Slam this time!) perhaps we can see what the next generation have to offer.

Never mind victory at all costs, we just want our Scotland team not to look hopeless.

Rory - @ScotRugbyBlog

Stephen Ferris reflects on his sin-binning © Getty Images

The ebb and flow of a rugby game is as mysterious as a girl Peter Andre once sang about. There’s no easy way to take a defeat in Test rugby, and losing at home in a Six Nations opener does not make it any easier. Ireland loses to Wales for the third time in a row, and fourth time under Declan Kidney. Hopes of a Grand Slam, or even a Triple Crown are nipped in the bud by an under strength Welsh side and Ireland next travel to Paris, a city they haven't won in since Brian O'Driscoll's debut season in the Six Nations Championship. Optimism? Never heard of it…

Ireland really didn’t turn up for the opening 30 minutes. A Johnny Sexton penalty within four minutes was all the opening half hour had to offer, Wales on the other hand showed promise, edge, dominance and it seemed Mike Phillips had time to spare with every movement he made. A try from Jonathan Davies after 14 minutes put Wales in front but Rhys Priestland failed to convert. A missed penalty in front of the posts seemed to cement the fact it would not be the Welsh number 10’s afternoon.

Somehow Ireland survived the dominance, at 20 minutes they had accumulated 43 tackles to the Welsh’s 17 and possession, well, Wales were like the school yard bully playing keep away from a small child. Despite this Ireland conjured up a passage out of nothing and some quick hands fell to Tommy Bowe who offloaded to Rory Best, who crossed over for his sixth try in the green of Ireland. Sexton added the formalities and incredibly, Wales found themselves trailing 10-5 heading into the break.

The news Welsh captain Sam Warburton was coming off at half time bolstered the home crowd and their voices started to be heard a little bit more. A bright start to the second half was rewarded with another Sexton penalty and daylight between the teams with an eight point gap.

Priestland missed a third go at the posts and it was no surprise to anyone that Leigh Halfpenny replaced him from the tee after that. Regardless of the missed penalty and Irish momentum, George North released Davies who powered over the Irish try line for the second time. With Halfpenny on kicking duties, Wales took the lead, 13-15.

Sexton immediately replied with a penalty a hugely controversial decision. Welsh second row, Bradley Davis appeared to pick and dump Donnacha Ryan, who had came on to replace Munster’s Donnacha O’Callaghan. Touch judge Dave Pearson was called on by Wayne Barnes who used the phrase – picked up above the horizontal and dropped. Asked for his recommendation, “just a yellow” was uttered by the English official.

It’s at this point we need to cast our minds back to Sam Warburton in the World Cup. Alain Rolland sent off the Welsh captain for a similar incident with Vincent Clerc - that seemed less. Surely under the rules this was a red and not a sin binning? Its calls like this sometimes decide games.

Ireland went forward and for what seemed like the 50th time in the match won the Welsh line out. Donnacha Ryan superbly rose and slapped the ball back to the Ireland side where the ball was spread and set up. Sucking the 14 man welsh team into the ruck over and over before unleashing the ball wide to Tommy Bowe who was never going to be stopped in the corner. Sexton failed to convert from almost out on the touchline, 21-15 with 10 minutes on the clock.

Wales came straight back at the home side and their power seemed too much for Ireland as Roberts and Davies combined to set up the North who powered his way over the line for the 10th time in 17 games. Halfpenny missed the conversion, 21-20 in the 74th minute and it was looking ominous for Ireland.

O’Gara sent the restart into the Welsh 22, and just kept irking forward and battling their way all the way to just outside the Irish 22 where in a moment of madness, Stephen Ferris dumped Ian Evans and was binned, similar to the earlier incident, Ferris was lucky the card didn’t match the match the Welsh jersey. Halfpenny stepped up and broke the hearts and hopes of the Irish. 21-23.

It’s hard for the Irish fan to now be optimistic; questions will plague Kidney for the next few days regarding selection and perhaps now, the memory of 2009s Grand Slam is fading and the pressure on Kidney will mount. All eyes to Paris on Saturday evening, until then I’ll be licking my wounds and pretending I’ve never heard of rugby.

Danny Murray - @danjomurray

The new-look England coaching team celebrate with the Calcutta Cup © Getty Images

They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, and that was certainly the case for England in their 13-6 triumph over Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday night. Although the only unfamiliarity about this victory was the venue; England haven’t ran out winners at the home of Scottish rugby since 2004 so will be delighted that they got their Six Nations campaign up and running in Edinburgh.

There were mixed fortunes for the men in white on Saturday, but that is only to be expected considering the England side is one that is essentially in rehabilitation. It would have been naive to presume that the new-look outfit would run out and crush Scotland in their own back yard and, after the hosts missed so many opportunities, Stuart Lancaster must be thankful that his side still harbour hopes of a Grand Slam after such a tough opening assignment.

Owen Farrell, still only 20 years of age, handled himself with a maturity far beyond his years and despite facing a chorus of jeers every time he stepped up to aim at the posts, managed to land three excellent kicks with the last of those efforts putting England out of reach. Nerveless indeed.

The partnership of Farrell and Brad Barritt was an impressive one as the two showed their Saracens connection to link up on a number of occasions. Considering the pair were making their internationals debuts, it was a hugely positive start and showed signs of a partnership that should flourish on the world stage, the same as it has at club level.

Chris Robshaw struggled at times as he carried the weight of the captaincy on his shoulders and made some sloppy errors that wouldn’t be expected of an England skipper. But just like so many others in the squad, Robshaw is learning how to handle himself on the international front and will undoubtedly improve as his England appearance number rises.

England as a whole were solid, if largely unspectacular, and there were some good performances from the likes of Mouritz Botha, Tom Palmer and Phil Dowson which gave the visitors a firm foundation on which to go and build their victory over the Auld Enemy. Scotland were dangerous and had chances to take the win themselves, but England continued to put in the tackles and force the home side to make the extra pass, which they seemed to butcher on every occasion.

So if Lancaster was looking for a massive regeneration at Murrayfield then this wasn’t it but I expect the England coach is hoping for a much more gradual rebuilding of his side. England should take great heart from a victory that was built on hard-work, togetherness and fight and for a young side to come away from Murrayfield with a result is an excellent start to their Six Nations campaign. This was a step on the right road but there were constant reminders that there is still a long way to go until the men in white find redemption.

Rome wasn’t built in a day and England will be looking to storm the Italian fortress this Saturday when they travel to face the Azzurri.

Ashley Lambell

Julien Malzieu shone for France against Italy © Getty Images

Philippe Saint-André promised a pragmatic approach and Les Bleus delivered a clinical display in response to a spirited Italian side.

While four tries scored to none conceded cannot be argued with, Saint-André and most who watched will know there is still a lot of work to be done. The loss of defence coach Dave Ellis doesn’t seem to have slowed down the French defence just yet, having a machine like Thierry Dusautoir certainly helps in that respect.

Slightly more worrying was how easily Italy dominated possession for the first hour of the game, a team with a better fly-half than Kris Burton – which is every side in the tournament unless Andy Robinson sticks with Dan Parks – could have posed a serious threat. The scrum also creaked, and although one huge effort at the end of the first half led to Julien Malzieu’s try, Vincent Debaty still looks more impact sub than starter.

On the positive side of things, Louis Picamoles brought his club form to the international stage and the ease with which he brushed off Sergio Parisse in the buildup to the second try was stunning. Malzieu finished that move in style, and while I’ve always had slight reservations about his top end speed, he definitely offers something different to any of our other wingers.

In the centres Aurélien Rougerie was always dangerous and Wesley Fofana really grew into the game. The youngster looked at home on the international stage by the end of the match.
Pascal Papé was probably the standout player in the front five, with Yoann Maestri perhaps in line for a first start next week ahead of an underwhelming Lionel Nallet.

One disappointment was François Trinh-Duc, who seemed a little overawed at being first choice again, although he played his part in the first and third tries. The awful restarts put the side under pressure, but he’s not the first person to mess up a restart.

All in all it was a satisfactory start, but Ireland will pose a greater threat next weekend. The scrum will need to function better to gain an advantage up front, the lineout could do with being a little smoother, and Trinh-Duc will need to settle quicker.

I don’t expect major changes from Saint-André but with a little more time together we might see a few more strike moves unleashed on Ireland next week.

Antoine Bonnin - @Rugby_en_bleu

Alessandro Zanni prepares for the hit from Louis Picamoles © Getty Images

The Azzurri started the match determined to live up to Monsieur Brunel’s proposal to put their backs on the ball more and to face whoever features on the other side of the pitch as equals. For the first 30 minutes, apart from a single line break which as predicted resulted in a French essai, it looked like it was working, as Italy had the upper hand in the match.

As Italy attacked, utilising a wide array of weapons at their disposal, the French countered with some ferocious tackling. The image of this trend was Kris Burton’s beautiful, long-distance drop goal.

However, one could ponder whether the dams had finally burst when Les Bleus managed a textbook line break and try at the hands of centre Aurelien Rougerie. But, all was not lost by the restarting kick-off, because the Azzurri snatched the ball and the backs broke the French line, only for Burton to knock the ball on with the try line beckoning.

Good news kept flowing as Italy’s forwards dominated the lineouts and the few mauls that formed - debutant Venditti wasn’t shying away from any plays nor contact and the next batch of garryowens resulted in a penalty call, for Burton.

Then, the 30-minute mark was reached and things apparently return to normal.

The first occasion when the Italian pack didn’t dominate, the French win a scrum, snatch the ball and the backs are caught off-guard. Textbook Malzieu try.

At that time, Italy were beginning to look like a castle of cards, Burton’s kicking was not accurate nor timely, but luckily, the first half was through and the Azzurri had a chance to regroup and rally in the second.

The second half started in a similar fashion to the first, and it was becoming clear that Sergio Parisse was Italy’s captain in more senses than one. One of his first clear runs in the second half resulted in a penalty and another three points.

Nevertheless, the French's ability to capitalise on the opposition's mistakes is scary. After three more French points from a deep penalty, Burton committed a silly handling error which resulted in the French backs displaying all kinds of skill - be it from passing or low-kicking and dribbling association football style - culminating with a beautiful try by Vincent Clerc.

Canale came on in place of Sgarbi in the hope of shaking up the quick-slumping backs and Botes came in as well to make his debut and log his first three points as a capped player from a penalty kick. The move also seemed to work when Italy launched a nice-looking attack from their defensive zone which only ended in an improbable Parisse handling error, but they managed to keep the ball just inside the French 22.

At the halfway mark, the backs were putting together a valiant display - good enough to keep the French in their zone, although not to create clear scoring opportunities.

However, as both sets of teams began to tire, it became clear that Les Bleus' skill and depth are overwhelming. Soon after Geldenhuys got sin-binned for virtually the remainder of the match, the French charged the 5-yard line and, despite spirited, fierce Italian defence, Wesley Fofana marked his own debut with a try - a well-deserved reward for his strong effort throughout the match.

Italy's last hurrah came under the inspiring, tireless play of their captain, but the French defence never lost its cool for one second, and the Italian backs did. What looked like a single, honourable try in the making was for naught, resulting in a knock-on. In the end, despite respectable play by Italy, the Giuseppe Garibaldi trophy changed hands to the French, who have shown they have win-it-all material required.

There is room for improvement and cause for hope, however. Further work on the part of the backs to minimise their mistakes should make this team a formidable one, especially at home. They may not be quite there yet, but keeping this trend will mean Italy will be evolve from being a dominant scrumming side with other players on the pitch to present themselves as strong a contender as any in a couple of seasons’ time.

Keeping this up will depend on the growth of their domestic championships, but that’s another issue altogether. For now, let’s hope Monsieur Brunel can correct the more obvious mistakes on the back side so the Azzurri can present a respectable challenge to the defending champs England at the Olimpico, who will be coming off the Calcutta Cup win over Scotland.

Forza Azzurri!

Daniel Bergamasco - @Doubles666

The ever dependable Dan Parks starts at fly-half for Scotland © Getty Images

With the Scotland selection there were less prickly issues than perhaps one would have hoped.
Andy Robinson calmly sat in front of cameras and Dictaphones, press characters both English and Scots, and explained that his time came packaged with specific instructions. Within this announcement came the inherent assumption that England, backed by Andy Farrell and filled with Sarries stars, would play much like the Saracens club do every week as they grind down teams and knock the scoreboard over.

This was perhaps Robinson’s most telling, and maybe only, gamble.

It is a risk to assume this England side that all and sundry have been told is regenerating, rebranding and refocusing will play in any specific style. It is also a risk to assume that Lancaster would leave issues of identity to Farrell’s Jr. and Snr. and Hodgson. What if Chris Robshaw wants to stamp his authority on the game? What if the backline want to shape itself around snappy counter attacks with Foden and Ashton?

For his part, Robinson does not care what impact Foden and Ashton will have. Despite what many may say he has been brave with his tactics. Indeed these tactics dictated selection. He made way for a few kids, sure, but that is because they suited the system that he thinks can defeat the English visitors.

With this selection Robinson feels that his own counter and movement can defeat the assumed proto-Sarries England. So while everyone bemoans the return of the ever pragmatic Dan Parks few note that there is no real recognised kicker in the backline of R. Lamont, Jones, De Luca, S. Lamont and Evans. That is a backline designed to catch, move the point of attack and run flat out.

So Parks starts at 10 so as to clear lines and play positional football. Cusiter is selected at 9 because he has the best box-kicking range in Scotland right now. He is also picked, though, because he is the quickest scrum-half with ball in hand and he can step out and sling long passes past Parks. He can get that back line that naturally drifts to the fringes running forward.
De Luca is the link here and the Lamont brothers are his wrecking balls. If there is forward momentum De Luca, Scotland’s in form back right now, will be charged with slipping the ball to slight flyers Evans and Jones.

As for the pack the front five is made up of Scotland’s best scrummagers, but also their most efficient ball carriers. They are direct and unglamorous. They get the yards and thump into rucks so that the rest can play rugby. Rugby on the move, of course, is what Robinson wants to play. He wants five players willing to ruck, harry and graft because, with the exception of Parks, he wants the rest of his team to be running with the ball in their hands posing questions to England’s new look defence.

The back-row selected is Scotland’s most likely to play rugby at a sprint. Rennie is fast and smart, an offloading master. Strokosch is tireless and fond of latching on to an offload. Denton only knows one way: forward with ball in his mitts.

Of course with such a mandate this Scotland side depends on solid set-piece and England kicking deep. If this happens Scotland will be ready for it. If not the first half could be fought in the trenches and Parks will take his drop goals. If it is worse than that? Scotland have options on the bench.

If Scotland do not play around England’s pack and quickly run off of a Lamont in space, or they do not counter effectively then expect to see Blair and Laidlaw come on in the half-back positions and Barclay to play at openside. Scotland will look to be more compact, playing more from 10 and offloading less. The rucks will speed up and then, only then, will Laidlaw look to the fringes rather than going wide from the get go. He and Blair in tandem have the skills to do this.

It will certainly be interesting. Calcutta Cups always are. However, how the game pans out depends entirely on which England turns up to Murrayfield, a place England have not won since 2004. Will they invite pressure onto themselves?

Alan Dymock - Scottish Rugby Blog

Sam Warburton has been retained as Wales skipper © Getty Images

Wales aren’t rebuilding. They’re planning an extension.

Traditionally, the Six Nations tournaments which occur in a post-World Cup year are focused on rebuilding. It’s usually the point where the respective Unions roll out the bulldozers, demolish some crumbling structures and re-draw the blueprints for the next four years.

Indeed some of the Six Nations participants have already begun drawing up their plans for the next four year cycle. Italy have a new head coach in Jacques Brunel, England temporarily have Stuart Lancaster, France have Philippe Saint André and Scotland have hired Scott Johnson (who is due to start in June but if rumours are to be believed could be there sooner).

In contrast, Wales have rightly maintained the same coaching structure, one that will see Warren Gatland, Shaun Edwards and Rob Howley stay with the Welsh team until 2015. If all goes to plan, it will mean the Welsh team having nearly eight years of coaching stability, a luxury not afforded since the role of head coach was created in 1967. It is also worth mentioning that the IRFU seem to have forgotten to buy a calendar for 2012 and are inexplicably approaching this year in exactly the same way as they did the last.

This new found consistency in the men who sit behind the laptops for Wales is also reflected in the squad they have selected. The bulk of Gatland’s squad has a very familiar look to it. The wonderfully balanced back row of Warburton, Lydiate and Faletau are there, Jamie Roberts and Jon Davies are in and Rhys Priestland, George North and Leigh Halfpenny are also included.

Whilst these players seem comfortably familiar, they shouldn’t do really; not when you consider their age. Jamie Roberts is the oldest at 25, Warburton is 23, Faletau is 21, and North still qualifies to play for Wales’ Under 20’s squad. However Gatland’s successful policy of picking young, talented players combined with regular exposure in the RaboDirect PRO12 and Heineken Cup has made the majority of these players’ household names in the Northern Hemisphere.

That’s not to say that Gatland’s squad has become the WRU’s crèche. It hasn’t. Gatland has selected ‘old heads’ too. Mike Phillips, Matthew Rees, Lee Byrne, James Hook, Adam Jones, Gethin Jenkins, Ryan Jones, Andy Powell, Paul James and Gavin Henson are all present ( I’m not even getting into the ‘Henson issue’ as the word count will spiral). But even Wales’s ‘old heads’ aren’t exactly greying. Wales’s most senior player in the initial squad was Lee Byrne who will be 32 in June. And whilst his age was brought into question following selection, he hardly ranks alongside some the grandfathers of the game like Simon Shaw and Brad Thorn who were both nearer 40 than 30 when they last played test rugby.

It’s these solid foundations, laid at the World Cup, that have meant Gatland hasn’t needed to rebuild the main structure for the Six Nations. In fact, he’s just adding a new wing (and a centre, scrum-half, a prop or two and a couple of utility players).
Ashley Beck’s sublime distribution skills, smooth change of direction and ability to offload beyond the gainline have seen him added to the squad. Becks presence means that Gatland now has a ‘ball player’ in his backline to add to his army of ‘ball carriers’.

Alex Cuthbert brings yet another intimidating physical presence to the Welsh wing. At 6’6” and 16st 6lbs, he and North would become the largest wing combination currently playing in world rugby. Cuthbert’s straight line speed and subtle change of direction have made him one of the most effective finishers in Europe this season – he has scored 4 tries in just 5 Heineken Cup appearances.

Rhys Webb has deservedly earned the third scrum-half spot. His role at the Ospreys may have been limited this season by the arrival of ex-Crusader Kahn Fotuali'i, but he has a quick pass, with minimal lateral crabbing – a rare skill amongst modern day scrum-halves, where taking a step to generate enough power on the pass has become the norm.

Liam Williams, the 20 year old Scarlets fullback/wing, has retained his place in the squad having been part of the group that gathered to face Australia in December. Sanjay (as he is known) has a playing style that led Nigel Davies, the Scarlets coach, to compare him to JPR Williams. At 6’2” and just 13st 5lbs, he’s not the most impressive physical specimen on paper, yet on the field he is a blur of spiky elbows and kneecaps which make him unpleasant to tackle or compete with under the high ball.

Justin Tupuric has once again been selected in the back row. He has had a great season. Along with Ashley Beck and few others, Tupuric has really stood out in a woeful Ospreys team. Whilst his ‘jackling’ falls just short of Sam Warburton’s (though that is hardly a criticism), his link play is the best of any seven playing in Wales. His inclusion in the final squad will give Wales a real advantage in the Six Nations, where few of the teams have access to one true open side, let alone two.

Rhodri Jones, the versatile yet untested Scarlets prop has also made the cut, along with Lou Reed, whose impressive ball carrying displays have seen him take the fourth second row spot in the absence of Luke Charteris and Alun Wyn Jones.

Saracen’s Rhys Gill has also been recalled to the squad, nearly two years after his solitary cap against Ireland. His scrummaging performances against the Ospreys have clearly caught Gatland’s eye and his inclusion is well deserved, but it once again calls into question the validity of ‘Gatland’s law’, whereby if you play outside of Wales you risk being ostracised from the Welsh squad. Although it must be said that if the Top 14 performances of Hook, Byrne and Phillips are anything to go by, a brief sojourn away from Wales could be just the ticket. Mike Phillips recently featured in Midi Olympique’s team of the week, which is no mean feat in a league whose scrum halves include Morgan Parra and Dimitri Yachvilli.

But the most surprising addition to the 35 man squad has to be Harry Robinson – whom Gatland has likened to his namesake Jason. The 18 year old was Warren’s ‘bolter’, as they say in New Zealand. No-one saw it coming, and if they say they did, they’re lying. It almost seems disingenuous to say that he plays for the Cardiff Blues, as he’s only played for them 5 times, mostly from the bench – and he doesn’t even have a player profile on the Blues website. But his performances for the Welsh Sevens team have clearly caught the selector’s eye and Gatland now views the Wales Sevens squad as a genuine gateway into the senior Welsh set up.

Gatland’s decision to continue selecting bright young things makes sense. The 2011 Rugby World Cup saw North, Priestland, Warburton, Lydiate and Faletau lead from the front, forcing more senior players into bit-part roles. James Hook is now essentially a bench player and Ryan Jones, who was the nation’s flame bearer two years ago, has now been reduced to holding the box of matches.

But the effect of picking youngsters is also one of the reasons why Gatland hasn’t been forced into a major rebuild. Having a squad full of young players has meant minimal retirements - Shane Williams accepted rugby’s free bus pass of his own volition, whilst Stephen Jones had the indignity of having it forced into his breast pocket. (Although a recent injury to Rhys Preistland has seen the 34 year old Scarlet rightly reinstated into the squad – picking only two genuine outside halves in the initial party of 35 did seem a little careless).

In all, Gatland’s 35 man squad is truly exciting. It is the deepest and most talented squad that Wales have had at their disposal since the game turned professional. And it goes to prove that whilst other nations are rebuilding, Wales are lucky enough to be planning an extension.

Paul Williams - @thepaulwilliams

England are hoping to experience a brave new dawn under Stuart Lancaster © Getty Images

After the announcement of Stuart Lancaster’s squad for the Six Nations, it will certainly be a new dawn when the England side take to the pitch to face Scotland on Saturday as they look to put the World Cup disaster firmly behind them.

A changing of the guard had been predicted after the debacle in New Zealand but not many foresaw the omission of former mainstays such as Mike Tindall, Nick Easter and Riki Flutey. Instead, Lancaster opted for a rush of new blood as youngsters like Brad Barritt, Ben Morgan and Owen Farrell were given the nod to try and put right the wrongs of a few months ago.

How they will respond to the challenge that has been set is up for debate, particularly when daunting trips to both Murrayfield and the Stade de France stand in the way of the new kids on the block. But youth tends to bring a sense of fearlessness and the nine uncapped players that England have included in their squad will not bear the mental scars of the World Cup or of previous Six Nations. Indeed only one of those nine, Phil Dowson, is over the age of 26.

That is not to say that some of the more experienced heads will not have a part to play in the ‘new era’ of English rugby. The guidance of more senior figures such as Dylan Hartley, Toby Flood and David Strettle will prove crucial if the fresh faces are to succeed and play the type of entertaining and expansive rugby that Lancaster and his staff are calling for. Now is not the time for recklessness and the England management will hope that they have struck the right balance in their 32-man elite squad.

For me, the starting line-up against Scotland in the opening game should reflect the way the squad has been selected and should include a mix of youth and experience, especially when the home supporters are sure to create an intimidating atmosphere as they attempt to distract some of the England newcomers.

Hartley, Tom Croft, Chris Robshaw and Ben Foden should all be definite starters after putting in consistently impressive performances for their clubs over the past couple of months and their experience of the big occasions should turn out vital when they tackle the cauldron that is Murrayfield.

Out of the nine uncapped players, I would like to see Joe Marler, Brad Barritt, Owen Farrell, Lee Dickson and Dowson all find a place in the starting XV in Edinburgh. My belief is that international players should always be picked on current form, not just on reputation, and all five of these players are performing superbly for their clubs at the present time and with their confidence riding sky high, they could be the perfect tonic as England look to step up their game.

The starting line-up for the opening game will probably have been changed many times by Lancaster and his staff due to injuries to Tom Wood, Manu Tuilagi and Louis Deacon and the side that runs out at Murrayfield will be reshuffled from the one that the England management had in their head when they picked the initial squad.

The injury to Wood also meant that Lancaster was forced to pick a new captain to lead the side against Scotland and Italy in the opening two matches of the competition. On Monday it was announced that Robshaw, who is also the skipper at Harlequins, would be the man to fill that particular vacancy. Despite Robshaw’s relative inexperience, having only been capped once by his country, the new management staff have decided that he is the perfect player to lead England into their brave new world. Lancaster was quick to point out that the skipper would be backed up by the experience of Foden, Croft and Hartley so he will not be without allies in the squad.

Following the outcome of that decision, it is definitely going to be one of the most intriguing and fascinating Six Nations for England fans for many years as the side embarks on a new voyage with a new skipper. The only question is whether Lancaster and his players can steer England into calmer and more successful waters over the next few weeks.

Predicted line-up vs Scotland: Ben Foden, Chris Ashton, Brad Barritt, Owen Farrell, David Strettle; Charlie Hodgson, Lee Dickson; Joe Marler, Dylan Hartley, David Wilson, Tom Palmer, Mouritz Botha, Tom Croft, Chris Robshaw, Phil Dowson

Ashley Lambell

Will Ireland take the prize at the end of the tournament without Brian O'Driscoll? © Getty Images

Ireland’s Six Nations campaign kicks off with Wales at home this Sunday. After a disappointing World Cup exit at the hands of Warren Gatland’s men, Ireland will be chomping at the bit to avenge that quarter final misery.

Paul O’Connell will captain the team in the absence of talisman Brian O’Driscoll, who has been absent since returning from New Zealand and requiring surgery on a trapped nerve in his neck. Despite the loss of O’Driscoll, there is hope for Ireland - three provinces are through to the quarter final stage of the Heineken Cup and Leinster are leading the Pro 12 pack with both Munster and Ulster in contention for the play offs. If Declan Kidney can harness the form of the provinces, Ireland could stand a chance of success, but, Kidney has to try and balance the backs. Irelands pack almost picks itself but the backs are the key to success.

On a side note, it is impossible for Kidney not to be thinking of the coveted 2013 Lions job. As laid back and dismissive of the topic “Deccy” is, he knows beating Wales would possibly give him the edge over fellow Lions hopeful, Warren Gatland. This gives us a juicy little sub plot to the opening game for these two. With Ireland being at home and Wales missing key players, Kidney may feel he has a slight advantage heading into the battle at the Aviva stadium in Dublin.

So who is in with a chance of a place on the starting 15 against the Welsh?

The highly competitive fly half position is the one everyone watches for - Ronan O’Gara has wound back the clock with his performances for Munster this year, kicking to near perfection in the Heineken Cup and helping Munster to a home quarter final along the way. Jonathan Sexton too has been in scintillating form, and while his kicking and game management are questioned by some he remains un-nerved and triumphant at Leinster.

Sexton offers much more than just the tried and trusted boot to ball option, with ball in hand he is vastly superior and defensively is stronger than ROG, a point that is emphasized over and over by the Leinster faithful. O’Gara himself has said he is “happy to play the ultimate team man” - almost resigned to the fact that at 34 going on 35, he may very well be used as an impact sub. I think it will be Sexton to start with O’Gara coming off the bench to sure it up.

Who completes the half back pairing is just as big a debate. Conor Murray burst his way into the Ireland team last year surprising many. The youngster has rose to prominence in Munster and with that has pushed Tomas O’Leary right down the pecking order. Leinster’s Eoin Reddan is the other option at scrum half and has a wealth of experience over Murray. Indeed Murray has been prone to errors and has not looked consistently at the top of his game. Reddan has often been criticized over his “slow ball” but the partnership with Sexton at Leinster may be a decisive factor in giving him the start.

With O’Driscoll absent there is an extra place to be contested amongst the young hungry starlets of Irish rugby. Gordon D’Arcy and Tommy Bowe would be quietly confident of retaining their ever present status in the team while Rob Kearney has come back from injury to put his stamp all over the 15 jersey. With no Geordan Murphy or Luke Fitzgerald to be seen, it is impossible to look beyond the Leinster full back.

This leaves the question of who partners D’Arcy in the centre and Bowe on the opposite wing. While I would like to see Fergus McFadden given a chance at 13, Kidney will more than likely opt for Keith Earls. Earls is not the greatest defensive centre in the world but does have quality in attack and this may be the reason he gets the nod over McFadden. Andrew Trimble has been a tour de force with Ulster this season. He was considered unlucky by many not to have played a bigger part in Irelands World Cup and now with an extra place available surely Kidney will have to see that Trimble is the best option to fill the vacant position.

Ireland’s pack is almost set in stone; injuries to David Wallace and Leinster captain Leo Cullen leave little to savor in the competition for places. A formidable back row of Heaslip, O’Brien and Ferris has to be among the best in world. O’Connell and O’Callaghan will continue their long running second row partnership, while in the front row Mike Ross, Rory Best and Cian Healy will continue to give Irelands scrum a platform that had been missing for years. This means the team should look something like this:

Ireland:

Rob Kearney, Tommy Bowe, Keith Earls, Gordon D’Arcy, Andrew Trimble, Jonathan Sexton, Eoin Reddan, Cian Healy, Rory Best, Mike Ross , Donnacha O’Callaghan, Paul O’Connell (Captain), Stephen Ferris, Sean O’Brien, Jamie Heaslip

Replacements: Sean Cronin, Tom Court, Donnacha Ryan, Conor Murray, Ronan O’Gara, Fergus McFadden, Paddy Wallace

Kidney likes the tried and tested method. Some would feel that this is the time Ireland should begin blooding a new younger generation but Kidney will remain faithful and look to the veterans to provide that winning edge.

I expect an Ireland win against Wales, which will give some momentum heading into their first away trip of this campaign - a romantic trip to Paris lies in wait on Valentines weekend.

Danny Murray