There were wins for Italy, England and France in an enthralling round four of the Guinness Six Nations that ensures there will be something at stake in all three final games of the tournament.
Here the PA news agency examines five things learned from the weekend.
A star is born
Other players may have had a bigger impact on England’s inspired upset of Ireland, but few brought Twickenham to its feet like Immanuel Feyi-Waboso with the ball in his hands. The Exeter wing is genuine box office and despite making only his first start after two replacement appearances, the 21-year-old showed he has the big game temperament to match his electric running skills. Cardiff-born Feyi-Waboso opted for the Red Rose over Wales in January and it is to Steve Borthwick’s credit that he kept the medical student out of Warren Gatland’s hands and then fast tracked him into the side.
Mission impossible?
The reason why no team has won back-to-back Grand Slams in the Six Nations era was laid bare at Twickenham where Ireland’s expected procession to the greatest prize in European rugby ended in despair. Even a team of the quality of Andy Farrell’s men – who are quite possibly the best in the world despite South Africa retaining the World Cup last autumn – will meet insurmountable roadblocks in such a demanding tournament. On Saturday it came in the shape of an England side whose game clicked into place, providing the ammunition to match their resolve after being taken apart by Scotland. Completing successive Grand Slams remains the Holy Grail in this hemisphere.
Garbisi’s redemption
No Italy player will have felt the joy and relief of a seismic victory over Scotland more than Paolo Garbisi. A fortnight after a bungling last-gasp penalty miss cost the Azzurri victory over France, his 73rd-minute kick proved the difference in a glorious 31-29 triumph at the Stadio Olimpico. Remarkably, once again the ball dropped off the tee for his first shot at goal against Scotland but this time he showed the composure to still nail the kick as well as refusing to let a later miss derail his game. Italy have the precious victory their performances deserve and in Garbisi they field a classy playmaker who will surely be at the heart of more big days.
Riding the Scotland rollercoaster
It was classic Scotland – flatten England in style to propel them back into the title conversation only to then fall in Rome. Their extraordinary inconsistency extends from game to game and within matches themselves, as their near ruinous collapse against Wales in round one showed. Quite possibly the most complete side in the nation’s history is in danger of seeing their talent broken apart on the rocks of their ambivalent performances. Time is running out for Gregor Townsend’s men to lift some silverware and the evidence from the Stadio Olimpico suggests that may well never happen.
Wooden spoon shootout
These are grim times for Wales who were overpowered 45-24 by France at the Principality Stadium to set up a wooden-spoon decider against Italy at the same venue on Saturday. And all the momentum is with the Azzurri having drawn with France in a game they should have won before stunning Scotland. Wales have not finished bottom of the Six Nations since 2003 when Steve Hansen was in charge and their young players are undergoing a baptism of fire as they learn on the hoof what it means to play at Test level. Spirited but outclassed, it could get worse before it gets better.
Rees-Zammit relishing Mahomes advice as former rugby star eyes spot on Chiefs roster
Louis Rees-Zammit has likened Patrick Mahomes to an extra coach as he looks to make an impact in the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Rees-Zammit shocked rugby union fans in January when he announced he was turning his back on the sport to enter the NFL's International Player Pathway programme.
He was signed by two-time defending Super Bowl champions Kansas City in March and is now looking to earn a place on their roster for 2024, learning the role of running back at the Chiefs' rookie minicamp after attending another training camp alongside Mahomes.
Rees-Zammit has made sure to pick the brains of Mahomes, who has led the Chiefs to six straight AFC Championship games and won three Super Bowl rings since being drafted in 2017.
"It was amazing, all the quarterbacks and receivers were there, we were running routes, we were working in the gym", Rees-Zammit said of his experience at that camp in Texas.
"It was a great two weeks, I definitely learned a lot with Pat and the other boys."
Asked if Mahomes was acting like an extra coach, he said: "100 per cent.
"I'm new to the game so I'm trying to pick everyone's brains and try and pick up the sport as quick as possible because I want to be out there playing.
"The way I can do that is picking the brains of everyone that's currently here and trying to learn the game as quickly as possible."
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has been impressed by Rees-Zammit's attitude, saying: "He's so diligent with everything and wants to be so good at everything. I appreciate that.
"I like the fact he's got shorter steps initially, that's a good thing as a running back. If you're a long strider in there you've got to really work on making it through those tight adjustments you have to make. He seems to have a nice feel."
England and Saracens number eight Vunipola fined after arrest in Mallorca
England international Billy Vunipola has confirmed he has been fined after an incident which saw him arrested in Mallorca on Sunday, with his club Saracens set to launch an internal investigation.
On Monday, widespread reports claimed Vunipola had been tasered by Spanish police in the early hours of Sunday morning, with an altercation taking place after he left a club in Palma.
Saracens later confirmed they were aware of an incident and said they would deal with it internally.
The number eight, who was born in Australia but has represented England 75 times, later released a statement of his own via his club, denying that any violence took place and confirming the police investigation was now closed.
"I can confirm I was involved in an unfortunate misunderstanding when I was leaving a club in Mallorca on Sunday, which got out of hand," that statement read.
"Contrary to media reports, there was no violence, no fight and I did not threaten anybody at any stage, with bottles or chairs or anything else.
"I was charged with resisting the law and, following an 'express trial', I have paid a fine of €240. The Spanish police investigation is now closed, and I am flying back to the UK today.
"I will obviously cooperate with the Saracens internal process and unreservedly apologise for any inconvenience to all involved."
Fraser Brown ‘hugely proud’ of Scotland career as he announces rugby retirement
Fraser Brown declared himself “hugely proud” of his Scotland career as he announced his retirement from professional rugby.
The 34-year-old Glasgow hooker has not played since rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament while playing for the World XV against the Barbarians at Twickenham last May and he has now conceded defeat in his bid to return to action.
Brown won 61 Scotland caps, with the first of them coming against Italy in 2013 and the last in the Six Nations match at home to Ireland in 2023, the same game incidentally in which Stuart Hogg won his final cap. The front-rower went to both the 2015 and 2019 World Cups.
“When you have a serious injury like I did with an ACL at the end of your career, it is always going to be hard to come back from,” Brown told Scottish Rugby.
“That probably made it a little easier to announce my retirement but it’s still a surreal and strange feeling.
“I’m hugely proud to have played so many times for Scotland during my career. To get one cap was great, but then my second one came against the All Blacks at Murrayfield which was such a special occasion.
“To reach 50 caps was a big moment as I had to deal with a lot of injuries throughout my career and to be part of the growth process of the team which has resulted in where they are now has been cool.”
At club level, Brown made 141 appearances for Glasgow after joining from Edinburgh in 2011.
The hooker helped them win the Guinness Pro12 in 2015 with victory over Munster in the final in Belfast, while his last appearance for Warriors proved to be last season’s Challenge Cup final defeat by Toulon in Dublin.
Glasgow head coach Franco Smith paid tribute to Brown, saying: “Fraser is the epitome of a modern professional and someone who should serve as a role model to any young player starting their journey.
“The respect with which he is held, not only within the Glasgow Warriors community but within the wider rugby family, should serve to underline the achievements he has earned throughout his career and the manner in which he has achieved them.
“His work ethic and determination to bring the best out of the people and players around him has been clear to all throughout his career.
“I wish him the very best for whatever comes next and I know he will apply that same work ethic and determination that made him one of this club’s most distinguished Warriors.”
Brown becomes the second experienced Scotland front-rower to announce his retirement in the space of a month after Edinburgh prop WP Nel recently revealed he would be hanging his boots up at the end of this season.
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