Boringly, there are no changes after the second round of matches compared to how I ranked them after the first weekend, although the gap between the top three and the bottom three has definitely increased:
1. Ireland
Dismantled Wales with ease, dismissing the defending champions in a similar manner to what they did to Scotland in week one. Joe Schmidt seems to be the difference for this Irish side, who can win the Triple Crown in a fortnight at Twickenham. After two games they’ve not been threatened and have conceded just nine points. Their forwards were formidable yesterday, and to bottle Wales up as much as they did demonstrates both excellent coaching and superb execution.
2. France
Italy’s Tomasso Allan and a pound of haggis
After what you might say was a fortunate win against England last week, the first half today was hugely frustrating, and if Italy weren’t kicking the ball like three pounds of haggis (copyright Bill McLaren) the visitors could have been leading at half time.
But three quick, quality tries sealed a comfortable French win. If they play like they did at the beginning of the second half against Italy, they’ll win at the Millennium Stadium a week on Friday, and the tournament could come down to a showdown with Ireland in Paris in the final game of the Six Nations.
3. England
You can’t really complain about a 20-0 away win in the Six Nations, particularly with the pitch in such an awful condition, but if anything England will be disappointed not to have won by more. Scotland were utterly appalling, and although England didn’t have to hit top gear, they will hope they are able to when they have to – i.e. next up against Ireland, a game they really have to win to keep their tournament hopes alive.
4. Italy
A good first half in which they matched France, and if they had been more clinical and composed they might have made a real game of it. As things turned out, the French were able to show their class in the form of Louis Picamoles and Wesley Fofana, but Italy are still ranked fourth because, despite losing to Wales, they’ve been far less of a disappointment than the Welsh so far this tournament. Apart from England last week, they’re the only side to show some fight in defeat.
5. Wales
Rudderless, one-dimensional and thoroughly beaten. After sneaking a win against Italy you were hoping they would have come out all guns blazing yesterday, but unfortunately they were almost as far away from that as it’s possible to be. It was their biggest Six Nations defeat for eight years.
6. Scotland
Woeful: woe·ful also wo·ful (wō′fəl)adj… Deplorably bad or wretched. Scotland were indeed both deplorably bad and wretched, rolling over almost without a fight.
An Early Bath 