France and England take early lead in 6 Nations

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Category: international_news

Published on Sunday, 05 February 2012 01:03

Written by Sachin David

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The State de France played host to the opening game of the much awaited RBS Six Nations tournament facing off against Italy. The Italians came into the match as underdogs whilst the French came in on the back of an excellent performance in the World Cup Finals.

[Pic-http://www.rbs6nations.com/en/20098.php]

France started strong with a penalty through the ever reliable Dimitri Yachvili put over a penalty after Italy  were penalized at the breakdown point for killing the ball in the ruck. Their joy was cut short when Italian fly half Nigel Burtons slotted a drop goal in the 17th minute to equalize.

The French struck back minutes later after  Francois Trinh-Duc sent Aurelien Rougerie through a massive gap in the center to score under the posts for Yachvili to add the extra points.  Burtons reduced the deficit to four points in the 30th minute with a penalty, after Pascal Pape failed to roll away after a tackle. The highlight of the first half came in the 35th minute when Louis Picamoles picked up at a scrum and found Malzieu on the outside - and the Clermont Auvergne wing held off several challenges in a powering run before crossing the line. Yachvili converted and it was 15-6.

Burtons cut the deficit in the second half in the 47th minute with a penalty which was responded to by Yachvili through a penalty. Yachvili found the target again with another penalty in the 52nd minute, making it 18-9 - and less than two minutes later Francois Trinh-Duc and Rougerie combined to help Clerc cross the line. Yachvili kicked the straightforward conversion, enabling France to stretch their advantage to 25-9. Italy's replacement number 10 Tobias Botes slotted in a penalty within five minutes of the debutant's introduction for Burton to make the score 25-12. Fofana put the gloss on the win in the 72nd minute when he held off Luke McLean to mark his debut with a try. The conversion was put wide by Morgan Parra but France held on to finish the game 30 points to 12.

England get runs on luck over Scotland

In the second game of the day England travelled to Murrayfield to play a fired up Scotland. The game saw a slow scoring first half with both teams making un forced errors and were unable to convert some good chances.

England took an early lead through a Owen Farell penalty. Dan Parks replied with two back to back penalties to take Scotland into the break leading 06-03. With both teams unable to make inroads into the opposition defence.

The second half kicked off with Charlie Hodgsen charging down Dan Parks clearance kick on the Scotland line and then dived on the ball to score. Owen Farrell added the extra points to give England a 10-06 lead. Scotland having many oppurtunities in the second half were unable to convert them into tries.  The Scots had an extra man on many an occasion but struggled to apply the finishing touches.

England further extended their lead in the 73rd minute when Owen Farrell slotted over another penalty taking the lead to 7 points. England having struggled in the past with discipline in the breakdowns did well to grind out the win holding strong in defense and looking threatening in the end. Scotland on the other hand had the chances to take the game from the English but brought about their own undoing by missing many scoring chances.

Wales travels to Dublin tomorrow to kick off their season against arch rivals Ireland.

 

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