Following a defeat that ended their hopes of back-to-back Grand Slams, defending champions Ireland have been dragged into a four-horse race in the final lap for the Six Nations title.
Ireland suffered a first loss of their campaign in a 23-22 defeat to England at Twickenham on Saturday. Marcus Smith slotted a drop goal in overtime as Steve Borthwick’s England came from a 17-8 second-half deficit to resurrect their title hopes. Ireland and England both have three wins each, but Andy Farrell’s side still lead the log, after getting four bonus points to England’s zero.
Despite missing out on a historic second successive Grand Slam, Ireland need two log points from their final-round fixture against Scotland in Dublin to successfully defend their Six Nations title.
England are four points behind in second place and they can overtake Ireland if the defending champions lose against Scotland, and England claim a bonus-point win against France in Lyon.
Points-difference is the first tie-breaker when teams are even on log points and England (-3), if they draw level with Ireland (+80) on the table, would have to overcome an 83-point deficit.
Italy kicked off the round of upsets by overturning a first-half deficit to beat Scotland for their first Six Nations home win in 11 years in Rome on Saturday.
The Azzurri clawed back from six points behind at half time at the Stadio Olimpico to win 31-29, dealing a major blow to the Scots’ championship title hopes.
In order for Scotland (on 11 log points with +4 points difference) to win the title, they must thrash Ireland and deny their opponents any losing bonus points, while hoping England suffer a narrow defeat to France.
Italy, meanwhile, have an opportunity to avoid finishing last the Six Nations for the first time since 2015 in an effective wooden spoon playoff against Wales in Cardiff. Gonzalo Quesada’s men need just two log points from the match, but will be hoping to repeat their 2022 heroics, when a last-minute converted try gave Italy a 22-21 win at the Millennium Stadium.
Fullback Thomas Ramos slotted 20 points as a fired-up France bounced back in style with a gripping bonus-point victory over Wales in Cardiff.
Five tries from Gael Fickou, man-of-the-match Nolann Le Garrec, George-Henri Colombe, Romain Taofifenua and Maxime Lucu gave France a 45-24 victory, with Les Bleus firing back after the previous round’s draw with Italy.
France are level on points and points difference with Scotland (11, +4), with bonus points separating the two teams. Fabien Galthie’s side need a bonus point win in the final match of the tournament against England in Lyon, while hoping that Scotland deny Ireland any log points in an otherwise narrow victory.
Round 4 results:
Italy 31 Scotland 29
England 23 Ireland 22
Wales 24 France 45
Round 5 fixtures:
Saturday, 16 March
Wales vs Italy (4.15pm)
Ireland vs Scotland (6.45pm)
France vs England (10pm)
Photo: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
