XV-a-Side rugby column: Scotland couldn't live with Ireland power in Six Nations

WEEKLY TEASERS

Last week’s player was Gordon Waddell, and it was TRUE- he became an MP in South Africa.

SIX NATIONS SUPER SATURDAY

It’s a long time since the destination of the Championship went down to the last kick of the competition and it was one of the most exciting ever seen. No Hollywood scriptwriter could have written that finale.

Ireland 43 Scotland 21. A game too far? Scotland couldn’t live with the Irish power and determination and didn’t reproduce their form from the France game. There were times when Scots hopes were high, but the Irish retaliation to Scotland scores showed that they are building another great side and they are far from being a team that is past its peak.

Wales 31 Italy 17. A public holiday in the Principality? Wales have finally won a Six Nations game after three years and fifteen attempts. Despite their third consecutive Wooden Spoon, there were signs of a Welsh recovery and a 31-0 lead at one time showed that pride in the jersey had been restored. Italy had three tries disallowed and showed that they were no longer the easy team to beat.

France 48 England 46. Have you ever seen a team score seven tries and lose an international? This game had everything and must go into the history books as one of the best. England finally twigged that running with the ball was possible and they looked a much better team from their shambolic performances against Scotland and Italy. France were deserved champions and will go into the World Cup as one of the favourites.

RECORD BREAKERS

A total of 111 tries were scored, 29 in a single day (March 14th), Italy beating England for the first ever time, Thomas Ramos becoming the first player to be the leading points scorer in four consecutive tournaments, England’s worst ever record of four defeats, not to mention coaches Gregor Townsend and Steve Borthwick under extreme pressure and three nations in with a chance of winning the trophy.

GOOD FOR THE GAME?

England’s Henry Pollock makes silly gestures to the crowd and is keen to get involved in every fracas, yet some think “he is good for the game. ” It would be interesting to know just often he handled the ball in his 26 minutes on the park.

THIS WEEK’S FIXTURES

There is a double header at Sunnyside when Falkirk 1s and Falkirk 2s entertain their Dundee Rugby counterparts.

Glensburgh will also be a busy venue with all three Grangemouth teams at home. The 1s play Hillfoots in a local derby, with the 2s scheduled to take on Dundee University Medics. The following day Grangemouth Women play Greenock Wanderers in a National Shield fixture.

Linlithgow 1s are away to Ardrossan Academicals.

LAST WEEK’S RESULT

Grangemouth Women lost 28-0 to Ayr in a National Shield game.

MYSTERY PLAYER

Who is this ex-Lions and Scotland forward?

TRUE OR FALSE?

Our Mystery Player captained Scotland to three victories against England.