SIX NATIONS REVIEW WEEK 3: FRANCE V SCOTLAND

What really upsets Scottish fans is that for years they were not competitive, and so therefore player mistakes under international pressure were understandable, as they were simply not good enough. With two Scottish clubs in the QF of the Champions Cup, a Top 6 world ranking and 3rd place in last year's Six Nations (having beaten England), Scottish Rugby has never been in better health, so that excuse cannot be made for the manner of defeat on Saturday. Even being ravaged by injuries (out of a small playing base), is no defence for such a poor Scotland performance against a dispirited French team, who had only won 3 out of their last 18 games.

Scotland missed 35 tackles against France

Scotland needed a quick start, France got one. Scotland needed to score early, France did. Scotland needed to do the basics well, especially in defence, but missed multiple tackles for France's first try, which started from their own 22. Even when Huget was yellow carded in the first half, Scotland could not take advantage, and were very lucky to only be 3 - 10 down at halfway. Scotland needed to score first after half time, but France scored after a minute of the second half with a flowing move, including a successful chip and chase from Bastareaud, which summed up the game.

Chip and chase ... really?

Gregor Townsend, the Scotland coach was so unimpressed by his team, that he emptied virtually the whole bench after 64 minutes. Encouragingly, Price and Hastings at half backs managed to exploit the quick ball Scotland's forwards started producing, but the team lacked the accuracy needed to score points and get them back in the game. By the time Scotland got a consolation try, France were out of sight, eventually securing the bonus point in the 87th minute. France won 27-10, but having had a few tries ruled out by the TMO, could have won by 30 points, such was the gulf.

Dupont, the new French generation is here

France clearly have some good young players, especially out wide in Dupont, Ntamack and Ramos, who cut the opposition to shreds at times. However, Scotland need to pick themselves up in two week's time against Wales at home, and play like their lives depend upon it - the fans will expect nothing less. Hopefully Finn Russell will be back to make them less predictable. France will have a spring in their step going to Dublin to play Ireland, with nothing to lose, exactly when they are at their most dangerous.

SIX NATIONS REVIEW WEEK 3: WALES V ENGLAND

Well, well, the only consistency in this tournament is the inconsistency of the leading Six Nations teams. Wales pulled an unexpected second half out of the bag, France pulled out an unexpected performance for 60 minutes and Italy led Ireland unexpectedly at half time. With the World Cup looming, where the winner will need to win seven games in a row, what will the Southern Hemisphere countries be thinking at the moment, with England and Ireland looking vulnerable in a one off game away from their home ground.

Anyway, back to the big match at the Principality, which I watched in a pub in Malvern, an hour from the Welsh border, with a good mix of supporters. It was a strange game, with England dominant in the first half, especially in the contact area, but only being 10-3 ahead, resulting in my halftime assessment to my Welsh friend of "England look too good, only a matter of time" - what did I know?

Liam Williams caught everything on Saturday

A combination of improved pressure on England's half backs, resulting in poor kick execution (and then decision making) and smart tactics by the Welsh forwards, sucking in the English defenders in their 22, and nullifying their defensive line speed out wide, which led to a frustrated English side giving away too many penalties, allowing Wales to turn possession into points and claw their way back into the game. Then, Gatland's inspired substitution of Anscombe for Biggar, the test match warrior at fly half, resulted in two late scores to swing the match Wales' way, denying England even a losing bonus point.

Eddie Jones and his England's leadership team seem unable to react to unexpected Wales' tactics in second half, and could find no plan B, and also, when England were crying out for fresh legs, minds and decision making in the last 15 minutes, why were Robson or Ford not given a chance? Eddie had correctly substituted Kyle Sinckler after 57 minutes (before he was given a yellow) so why freeze at the crucial moment and persist with both Farrell and Youngs, when momentum was swinging Wales' way.

Kyle Sinckler was tactically removed by Eddie Jones but had a fine first half

If Wales are to win the Six Nations Championship, having failed to gain a bonus point in previous two home games, they will have to remain undefeated for the Slam, as England, with only two games remaining against Italy and Scotland look set to gain maximum points taking them 20 in total. Wales, with only a current two point advantage, will then have to beat both Scotland (away) and Ireland (home), and benefit from the three point bonus (for winning all games) to take the title in Gatland's final season. Post battle on Saturday evening, England fans were very aware of the maths, whereas Wales fans (having beaten the auld enemy) couldn't have cared less.