6 Nations: Round 1 review

Position	Nation	Games				Points				Table points
		Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	For	Against	Difference	Tries
1	France	1	1	0	0	53	3	50	9	2
2	Ireland	1	1	0	0	26	5	21	4	2
3	England	1	1	0	0	19	0	19	3	2
4	Wales	1	0	0	1	0	19	-19	0	0
5	Italy	1	0	0	1	5	26	-21	1	0
6	Scotland	1	0	0	1	3	53	-50	0	0

So, round one out of the way. The scorelines from three games, each played in very different conditions, do no perhaps tell us the whole truth - in particular in Wales, where the weather would appear to have had a significant influence. But it won't be long before the dust will clear a bit. France travel to Ireland on Friday night in a game that will certainly decide the runners-up spot, while England host Italy on Saturday (at Esher) and Wales travel north on Sunday for a battle that may just decide who takes the wooden spoon this year.

However, that said it is clear that Scotland desperately need to improve almost all parts of their game if the are to avoid a whitewash - helped by the weather or not, Wales will be pleased to have only let in three tries against England's World Cup team and will travel north with some confidence. Italy will be disappointed by their defeat to Ireland (or at least the nature of it - they took an early lead by seemed to tire later in the game - see ScrumQueens match report) and should (if they have their right heads on and avoid looking like rabbits-in-the-headlights) avoid the hidings England have given the in past.

As for France and Ireland... well. If last Friday's French team shows up, it'll be tough for the Irish - but if France are anything less than at their best (and especially if they still cannot kick) then Ireland, with home support, could well take the game.

Finally, if there was an award for Performance of the Weekend then this would go, not to any players, but the rugby club and citizens of Rovigo in Italy who practically filled their local stadium with possibly the largest crowd to watch a women's international in Italy. A day full of noise and colour that won plaudits from the Irish coach and shows what can be done if a rugby club and town really make an occasion of a women's international. It will be interesting to see the sort of crowds that Ashbourne, Esher and Burnbrae manage to conjure up.