Ninth Feb Internationals

Today we saw Wales beat Scotland and France beat Ireland. Both home sides winning.

Wales v France is looking more and more like the show-down of the championship, despite the claims of Ireland and England before they started. England's performance tomorrow, unless they do a 100 point margin on Italy and look good doing it, won't really be an indicator, and I'd be surprised if the margin is more than 20 points and Italy looking good for parts of the game.

Wales were exciting, but ill-disciplined. Scotland finished within 15 points, all of them from penalties, most of them from penalties that a more disciplined side (SA, NZ, England even) wouldn't have conceded. It might sound harsh, but basically Wales scored 30 points for them and 15 for Scotland, (well 12 maybe) and Scotland really did look that bad, even as the game looked close for 60 minutes. You have to wonder what's going on in Scottish rugby, and will Wales tighten up on the bits they need to, whilst keeping that flair that is letting them make the game fun to watch? My money will be on yes, Gatland and Edwards will do that, because the team believe, the public believe, and whilst they might mess it up against France they will go down trying. Scotland have to hope they manage to do better than last year against Italy, or England really implode drastically, to avoid the wooden spoon.

France and Ireland was the classic "game of two halves" France had the game wrapped up by the end of 40 minutes. Ireland nearly stole it in the next 40. If France manage to play like the first half for 80 minutes they'll beat almost anyone (probably even Argentina). If they play like the second half, England will grind them down (whoever is kicking the penalties by then) and Wales will rip holes through them. Ireland, however, have come away with a bit more pride I'd say. They looked like they finally remembered how to play. About bloody time, because when they get it right, they are good to watch. The question, however, remains, will they be able to carry it onto the pitch next time, or do they need the release of "the game being out of reach" before they relax and remember how to play?