Women's Six Nations 2024, Week Three

With various things (like what passes for a real life) going on, and an inability to tell the time, I watched these matches late and off recordings rather than live. I also knew the first two results before I watched the matches, which has possibly skewed my thoughts a bit.

The Matches

Scotland v England

England are still adjusting to their new systems a bit, and were missing a few of their more experienced players.

In the first half it was hard to tell whether Scotland were defending better than we’d ever seen or England were suffering because of the loss of the older heads and just not quite focussed. In the second half it became apparent it was the latter. Mitchell was able to grab the team, shake them by the scruff of the neck and get them to go out and fight. They put 30 (strictly 29) on the Scots and it looked far more comfortable.

Scotland have come a fair way since last year, but they still have a fair way to go. England are changing game plans, coaches and personnel, but are still right up there.

Ireland v Wales

In the first two rounds I have been optimistic about what I’ve seen from Wales, less so about what I’ve seen from Ireland. Then this happened.

Granted, Wales changed a number of players, possibly Cunningham was thinking the same as me, saw a chance to give the wider squad some experience, but Ireland really turned up and played like their lives depended on it. Wales looked out of sorts. They have certainly played much better than this, and I hope they do in their two remaining games.

Congratulations to Ireland.

France v Italy

Finally Les Bleues produced a nearly completely performance. It was deep into the second half before they lost a lineout, and one in the game is probably less than their coach demands, but lots of great teams have that kind of return. There were a few dropped balls from offloads, but the numbers were lower because the whole offload skillset has clearly been practiced a lot. Players are making better decisions about when to offload, they are making better quality offloads in the sense of where they put the ball to be caught, how fast etc, and the receiver is more alive to the potential for an incoming ball, so they are more likely to catch it. It’s not perfect, offloads are more risky, but it’s not as suicidal as it was in rounds one and two.

The Italians looked thoroughly contained and suppressed until late in the game when the French lost a bit of cohesion and focus.

I’m not sure if the French playing like this can beat the English playing like they did, but it promises to be a lot closer than the French of a fortnight ago.

Happy Coaches.

Mignot and Ortiz and Bemand I find it hard to separate. The French are finally starting to deliver, the Irish delivered a big statement win. Plenty of joy all round.

Mitchell next. Although he’s infamously dour, and he’ll look at the mistakes, a good win, and a good second half after a poor first half when he’s missing quite a few key players is not a bad result and he’ll be happier than any of the losing coaches.

Easson and Ranieri like the winning pair, I find it hard to separate these, albeit for different reasons. They should both be pretty down, their sides didn’t really perform close to what they’d have hoped, even though there were never looking for a win. But there are some positives to take away.

Cunningham has to be at the bottom this week. It would be fair to characterise Wales’ campaign as two steps forward, one step back. But it would be one middling step forward, one tiny step forward and one giant leap backwards. And that what he’s got to deal with this week.

Looking Ahead.

No rest week, straight into the next games.

England v Ireland

Despite the way they disposed of the Welsh, I can’t see anything except a bit English win here.

Italy v Scotland

Two bruised sides looking to recover. Italy at home, Scotland playing for the first time after their confidence has been well and truly dented. I can see a way for Italy to win, but I’m not convinced. Scotland to take the points I think.

Wales v France

If Wales had beaten Ireland, France hadn’t improved against Italy, I might be more upbeat about this. But as it stands, France to win comfortably.