SIX NATIONS REVIEW WEEK 4: A TALE OF MISSED TACKLES

So Wales Grand Slam train keeps a rollin, thanks to a one score win over Scotland, maintaining Gatland's 11/11 unbeaten record against the Scots. Only Ireland can derail them now at the Principality on Saturday. England predictably routed Italy, scoring eight tries and 50+ points in the process, and can still win the Six Nations if Ireland beat Wales, as thanks to superior bonus points they are only one point behind the undefeated table leaders. And let's not forget, that if Ireland do beat the Welsh, and the Scots overcome England at Twickenham for the first time since 1983, they could also retain the Six Nations trophy they won so convincingly last year.

Scotland once again underperformed in the first half of a test match, allowing Wales in for two relatively soft tries, especially the Josh Adams effort, where Kinghorn missed a relatively straightforward one on one tackle (after the pass Adams received looked suspiciously forward). Then Pete Horne failed with an offensive tackle 10m out to prevent Jonathan Davies from scoring Wales' second try. The Scots rallied in the second half, despite losing Seymour and Kinghorn to injury, with replacements McGuigan and Hastings helping them finally get over the gainline.

Jonathan Davies ... like a fine red he gets better with age

The Scottish forwards started to gain yardage, especially Dell and Watson, but despite all the possession and territory, they could only score a single try, thanks to the Shaun Edwards inspired Welsh defence, which was clinical. It was also cynical at times, and how the referee did not card the Welsh for persistent offside or slowing the ball down is anyone's guess. Wales won ugly again, and, if they do win the Slam,will not be the best Welsh team to win all their matches, but certainly have set new standards in defence and mental strength, and how Gatland has successfully pulled together players from four underperforming Welsh franchises is nothing short of a miracle.

England's "Pacific Island" inspired backline cut loose against the sorry Italians, who could not cope with the multiple strike runners of Vunipola, Tuilagi, Cokanasiga, Te'o and Daly. They did not help themselves however, gifting the opposition at least half of their eight tries, with two clearing kick charge downs and many missed one on one tackles, something a Tier 1 nation should not be guilty of ever. With England 31 - 7 up with an hour to go, the game went flat, not the first time England has lost its concentration in the second half, but luckily Italian mistakes handed them back the initiative once more. There were plenty of positives for the English, with Genge, Kruis and Daly all having a fine games, although Shields was quiet again (despite his scores) and Cokanasiga was badly out of position defensively for Italy's tries. England move onto Scotland next week, where last year's loss appears to be still hurting them, so will be seeking to put 50+ points on a weakened Scottish side and hope Ireland do them a favour in Cardiff.

Is Big Joe the new Jonah Lomu?

Ireland regained some of their NZ beating form for the first time since being battered by England on the opening weekend, in easily overcoming a poor French team. Ireland recalled six forwards to their pack after the Italy game, with Ryan, Henderson and Best all putting in good performances. Ireland were 26 - 0 up before two late tries put a gloss on the scoreline. France had no answers to the wile and cunning of Sexton, and the pace of Larmour and Earls (the postman, who always delivers). France, who, despite naming an unchanged side (for first time ever?) could not repeat their improved home performance against Scotland, now travel to Rome to avoid the humiliation of defeat (surely possible...). Ireland, in Joe Schmidt's last ever Six Nations game, will want to deny Wales their Slam, and give themselves the chance to win the Championship, should the Scots turn water into whisky at Twickenham.