England on top, France and Wales bounce back in Six Nations

LONDON - Normal service was resumed in the Six Nations rugby championship this weekend but there was much more to the three matches than the bare scorelines suggest.

After two rounds of fixtures England are the only team with two wins after overcoming Italy 31-16 in Rome yesterday.

France recovered from their shock defeat in Edinburgh last week by beating Ireland 43-31 while holders Wales bounced back from losing at Twickenham by beating Scotland 28-18 in Cardiff today.

France came into the tournament as strong favourites for the title but after their first two showings their remaining opponents, including England, will feel they have a chance.

Yesterday's game at Stade de France has been described by the media as "remarkable", "bizarre" and "schizophrenic" as Ireland dominated possession and just about everything else but were seemingly dead and buried at 3-43 down after 50 minutes.

Tries for Aurelien Rougerie, Olivier Magne, and two each for David Marty and Cedric Heymans reflected a series of calamitous Irish errors rather than dashing French play.

Ireland then hit back with an extraordinary burst of four tries in 15 second-half minutes and were pushing for a fifth at the end, inspiring the home fans to boo the French off the pitch and give the Irish a standing ovation.

France coach Bernard Laporte raised more than a few eyebrows a week ago when he praised his side's misfiring second half against the Scots as the best in his seven years in charge.

This week he said he thought he was "watching a film" during Ireland's whirlwind comeback and said the jeering fans need not bother returning.

Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan said: "I thought we played all the rugby out there but we made five or six errors and paid a high price for them.

"I don't think France played particularly well."

Most of the statistics back up that view.

Ireland spent almost an hour in the French half and had 42 minutes' possession to 17 for the hosts. France were forced to make 148 tackles to Ireland's 35 while Ireland completed 198 passes to France's 84.

Laporte, however, was right in pointing to the only statistics that really matter -- six tries to four and 43 points to 31.

England, too, will say 'look at the standings' after they followed up their impressive opening win over Wales with a more workmanlike victory in Rome, where Italy can also take plenty from the match.

The world champions were never in any danger of losing and coach Andy Robinson was satisfied to have chalked up a first away win for two years.

Italy had the temerity to briefly lead 9-7 early in the second half but tries for Charlie Hodgson, Mark Cueto and James Simpson-Daniel after Mike Tindall's in the first half eased England home.

However, the concerns over England's backline remain, particularly after centre Jamie Noon, who was excellent last week, failed to get his hands on the ball once in the first half.

Today's eagerly awaited Cardiff game was ruined by the 23rd-minute red card for Scottish lock Scott Murray.

Wales led 7-3 after a penalty try by the time the former British and Irish Lion was sent off for kicking Ian Gough.

They added three more tries, two by captain Gareth Thomas, after the dismissal but the Scots showed the same sort of belief that saw them home against France to hang on and score two late tries through Hugo Southwell and Chris Paterson.

It is that sort of spirit that will enable the Scots to approach their Calcutta Cup game against England at Murrayfield in a fortnight with more confidence than for many years.

France will need to turn on the style at home to Italy while, as ever, Ireland against Wales in Dublin is anyone's guess.

- REUTERS