Wales ended a three-year Guinness Six Nations losing streak with a 31-17 victory over Italy in Cardiff. Two tries from Aaron Wainwright and another from skipper Dewi Lake gave Wales a 21-0 interval lead which was quickly built on. Dan Edwards darted over and the Ospreys outside-half added a superb long-range drop goal to four conversions for a personal haul of 16 points.
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Ireland kept their hopes of clinching the Six Nations alive with a 43-21 victory over Scotland at the Aviva Stadium, a result which secured the Triple Crown. After beating England, Wales, and now Scotland, Ireland have picked up a fourth Triple Crown in the last five years. The victory also means they will spend their evening supporting England in their match against France which concludes this year’s tournament. An England win would be enough for Ireland to clinch the Championship thanks to their Dublin victory, secured with a bonus point.
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Ireland lock James Ryan has been ruled out as head coach Andy Farrell makes four changes for Saturday’s Six Nations Triple Crown decider against Scotland in Dublin. Joe McCarthy returns to the line-up to replace his Leinster teammate while Connacht’s Bundee Aki returns to the bench having served a four match ban for verbally abusing match officials in January.
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England suffered a historic first defeat to Italy with a 23-18 collapse at the Stadio Olimpico raising the grim prospect of falling to their worst Six Nations finish. An 18-10 lead built through tries from Tommy Freeman and Tom Roebuck and the boot of Fin Smith crumbled in the third quarter when Paolo Garbisi turned the tide by landing two penalties. Italy then took advantage of Sam Underhill and Maro Itoje being sent to the sin-bin to strike the decisive blow when Leonardo Marin finished a thrilling try down the left touchline.
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Rampant Scotland annihilated French Grand Slam dreams with a stunning seven-try victory at Murrayfield that blew the Six Nations championship wide open. In a staggering contest of 13 tries and 90 points, Gregor Townsend’s men were astonishing in every way until a madcap endgame that saw France run in a battery of tries. The Scots landed seven scores and a half century of points against the previously imperious but now seriously beleaguered French.
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