Six Nations 2021: Six Talking Points from Round 3
Referee Pascal Gauzere was at the centre of the controversy during England’s 40-24 defeat to Wales in Cardiff
Credit: David Rogers/Getty Images
Well, where to start? Round 3 of the 2021 Six Nations got off to a fairly predictable start with Ireland routing Italy 48-10 in Rome before all hell broke loose in Cardiff.
On paper, it looked like a comprehensive win for Wales as they stormed to a 40-24 victory against an improved England - but games of rugby aren’t played on paper.
Two extremely controversial refereeing calls gifted the home side 14 points while England, who fought their way back into the game, were the masters of their own downfall as the penalty count was their Achilles heel once again.
What should have been a mouthwatering desert to the main course of Saturday in France vs Scotland in Paris was unfortunately called off to an outbreak of positive COVID-19 tests in the French camp.
It remains to be seen when that game could feasibly be played at the time of asking but it released a groan of disappointment from rugby fans all over the world.
Here are the key takeaways from a spicy weekend of Six Nations rugby.
We need to talk about Pascal - but put your blinkers to one side
It’s fair to say that across a number of sports, England have had their grievances with officials of late.
Recent weeks have seen complaints about the standard of officiating in the cricket, with particular ire aimed at some, let’s say, brisk third umpiring decisions.
Football has also seen the treatment of referees come up as a hot topic, with Mike Dean being bombarded with death threats following a couple of controversial performances.
This weekend just gone saw Lee Mason in the firing line over his handling of a goal, prompting a player involved to come out into the media and say he “lost control”.
This has now been followed up with what can only be described as a bit of a horror show in Cardiff by French referee Pascal Gauzere and his team.
I’m going to preface the following with a quick announcement - the writer behind this talking point is Australian and has no real currency in either camp.
He speaks purely from the view of a rugby fan, so doesn’t want to hear “It’s England this” or “It’s Wales that”. Leave that at the door, because there’s a bigger problem here than the result on the day.
The particular focus comes on two separate points of controversy in the first half of Wales v England.
The first came in the 16th minute. After England had conceded a penalty, Owen Farrell was called forward by Gauzere and asked to speak to his players about their discipline - something referees are perfectly at liberty to do.
However, when Farrell went back to his team to deliver the message, Gauzere also then allowed Wales to restart almost immediately, with the resultant Dan Biggar cross-kick catching out England and gifting Josh Adams the first try.
Farrell was visibly furious at Gauzere’s awarding of the try, with the TV cameras picking up his complaints to the referee that he “has got to give us time to set” and noting the presence of multiple water carriers still on the field - something that is not permitted while play is ongoing.
Owen Farrell was visibly fuming with Gauzere’s decision for the first try
Credit: BBC
However, the man in the middle decided that he was within his rights to allow Wales to play and awarded the score.
This would have been enough of a sticking point for England fans had it not been followed by Louis Rees-Zammit clearly dropping the ball when going for the line minutes later, with Liam Williams collecting the ball and completing the score.
Even the young Gloucester winger’s face told you it was a knock-on, as he grimaced and began trudging back into position.
However, after a lengthy consultation with the TMO, it was decided by the refereeing team that Rees-Zammit had dropped the ball backwards and it had instead come forward off the covering Henry Slade, leading to the try being awarded - to visible bewilderment even on the Welsh players’ faces.
Louis Rees-Zammit’s face after Liam Williams’ try was awarded told its own story
Credit: BBC
Gauzere has since come out and admitted that he was at fault for both tries - something that frankly it would have been lunacy not to hold your hands up to.
However, I think there is also reason for England to think they might have got off a little lightly from Gauzere.
One could, in this writer’s opinion fairly, question the lack of further punishment for Maro Itoje who conceded five penalties by himself over the course of the 80 minutes.
The example that sticks out is Itoje leaping from the middle of the lineout to simply slap the ball out of the scrum-half’s hands - a piece of enthusiastic yet nonsensical decision-making that could under different circumstances have warranted a yellow card by itself.
So the mindless chatter will go on on social media about Welsh bias and England getting the rough end of the stick, the latter of which is fair, but the bigger issue needs to be addressed.
When you put allegiances aside, it was a game of rugby that was not officiated up to reasonable standards.
Watchers argue on social media about their team getting a raw deal, or their side benefiting from decisions and channel their argument through their own allegiances, it categorically misses the main point that needs to be taken forward.
These decisions are equally problematic and worthy of reaction if they’d happened in a Georgia v Romania game that nobody watched, and that is the way this needs to be approached.
Action needs to be taken to ensure that these kinds of mistakes are not happening at international level. It was not just Gauzere either.
While deliberations were ongoing over the Williams score, any of Gauzere, the TMO in charge Alexandre Ruiz or either touch judge could have piped up to say it was a knock-on.
None did, so placing the entirety of the blame at Gauzere’s door is reductive and short-sighted, even if he needs to take the bulk of it as the man in charge.
Pascal Gauzere has come under intense scrutiny for his performance during Wales vs England
Credit: Getty Images
There is no condonement here of the vile spew that gets fired at referees on an almost daily basis because that gets us nowhere.
Fans losing their sense of decency over a minute forward pass call is not the way we should be treating our officials and I can’t wait until a way is found to eradicate that kind of toxic behaviour from sport in general.
But this was something different and deserves considered examination. I’m not saying Gauzere should be forever ostracised from taking charge in future - you don’t get made a Test referee by accident - but he clearly made decisions in Cardiff that speak to a larger problem and need to be addressed in the right way.
Yes, referees are human and make mistakes and we accept that (although if you plumb the depths of social media you’d think not), but what occurred in Cardiff was not a mistake or something being missed, but a fatal misapplication of the laws and processes that referees must abide by.
That could mean an adaptation of the regular testing referees undergoes to ensure their awareness of the protocols in situations like that prior to the Adams try.
It could warrant World Rugby adding to the laws to ensure that if a message has been sent to a captain, play cannot restart for, say, 15 seconds to allow that message to be delivered and the defence to set.
But some action has to be taken to ensure these kinds of performances are not being seen again in international rugby. I am constantly banging the drum of making sure referees are not given public prosecutions unfairly for their decisions, but there also needs to be recognition when there are mistakes and thought put into how to fix them.
They’ve had the luck but Wales are still three from three
Wales have had luck but still claimed the Triple Crown after victory over England
Credit: Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty Images
A lot of the narrative surrounding Wales in this year’s Six Nations so far has - not unfairly - featured a starring (or certainly featured) role from Lady Luck.
Two red cards to opposition players in two weeks gave them advantages with which to work against both Ireland and Scotland - games that they both could have lost on another day after going down to the wire.
As discussed, refereeing played a major role in them establishing themselves in the game against England this weekend which is, again, something they cannot have relied on.
However, it only seems fair in light of the constant calls of “they are not worthy” to recognise that, putting the luck components to one side, they have had three jobs to do and have done them all, getting better each time in the process.
The decisions that went in their favour gave Wales a leg up against England, no question, but the way the rest of that game played out is as good a marker as any of how they have improved even since the Autumn Nations Cup.
Just months ago, if Ben Youngs had sniped over in the 62nd minute to bring the scores level at 24-24 as he did on Saturday, Wales would have folded and England would have pushed their way home with relative ease.
However, what happened was they collected themselves, refused to buckle and re-established their foothold in the game - ultimately scoring 16 unanswered points to bring the game and the Triple Crown home.
They were clinical in punishing England’s mistakes in the last quarter where their opponents went looking for the miracle play, showing a level of game management that we have not seen yet under Wayne Pivac.
Eddie Jones hinted as much in his post-match interview. Once the scores had been levelled, England would have been expected (and expected themselves) to seize the initiative and put Wales away.
But Wales didn’t let them do that.
Even putting the meteoric rise of Louis Rees-Zammit to one side, it is fair to recognise some of the other young players that are really standing up for the Welsh and could represent the building of an impressive next generation.
Callum Sheedy already looks born, in many ways, to play Test rugby. He entered the fray in Cardiff at a vital moment and ultimately steered his side home like an old head.
Callum Sheedy was again very impressive off the bench for Wales
Credit: PA
Kieran Hardy has had a very impressive tournament so far and his inclusion from the start on Saturday was a fair reward for his impact.
Adam Beard has already established himself in the side and deserves no less recognition for his contributions upfront in disrupting the English set-piece and forward play.
Are this Welsh side three from three entirely on merit? I would hesitantly argue no - there are still plenty of chinks in the armour that Pivac needs to address.
A decision needs to be made over their centre partnership going forward as the balance doesn’t seem to have been struck yet and they have still had to cling onto results despite a heavy hand from Lady Luck.
However, three months ago their grip would not have been strong enough to do it. It was this time, and that is enough of a sign that they are starting to make progress.
In the Six Nations, you don’t get to three from three with luck alone. Some credit does need to be given to Pivac and his team for the improvements they have made in just a few short months, even if they do have a long way to go.
Scotland vs France sorely missed in what could have been a blockbuster weekend
After the chaotic events in Cardiff, Scotland travelling to Paris would have provided meaty Sunday afternoon viewing that could have cheered up even the most ardent England fan.
However, on Monday, Charles Ollivon, Brice Dulin, Cyril Baille, Romain Taofifenua and Peato Mauvaka all tested positive for coronavirus and the game was quickly postponed as a result.
Those positive tests came after scrum-half Antoine Dupont, centre Arthur Vincent, hooker Julien Marchand, wing Gabin Villiere, and prop Mohamed Haouas were already isolating after contracting the virus last week.
According to FFR President Bernard Laporte, head coach Fabien Galthie breached the team bubble in order to watch his son play rugby which could have caused the outbreak.
If true, Six Nations could potentially be within their rights to award the win to Scotland for causing the outbreak and endangering his team in the process.
If the tournament organisers aren’t going to grant a 28-0 win to Scotland, as is the protocol in the Premiership if a team is forced to pull out due to positive tests, it becomes a question of when the game will be played.
In another life, following Zander Fagerson’s red card in Scotland’s narrow 25-24 to Wales two weeks ago, this match could have been a potential title decider.
Despite sitting pretty on three wins from three, even a fair number of Welshmen would likely admit the best side in the tournament are France with Scotland (possibly) just behind them.
France skipper Charles Ollivon is one of those who has contracted coronavirus
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Realistically, the game can’t be pushed to the fallow weekend of March 6/7 with this current France squad as the large majority are now isolating.
One option, if they want the game played that weekend, would be to call up an almost entirely new squad as they did in the Autumn Nations Cup game against Italy in November.
A potential midweek game in the week commencing 8 March or the weekend of 27 March, after all the other fixtures have been completed, are being discussed as potential alternatives.
If they choose to stage it on the 27 March, it would take place outside World Rugby's international window.
Scotland could be missing more than 10 players as they will have to return to their clubs in England and France.
French clubs are also fussy about their players competing in games outside the window so it could prove a stumbling block for both sides - unless there is some serious negotiation from the SRU and FRU with the relevant domestic teams.
The Flanker would argue that it should be played as soon as feasibly possible in order to retain the integrity of the tournament and simply keep it fresh in peoples minds.
If the game is tacked on as an afterthought when the Top 14 season is completed in May, another option that has been discussed, three months will have passed and it may lose the edge that a Six Nations game requires.
You can bet your hat that both sides will want the game to go ahead. Characters like Finn Russell, Gregor Townsend and Stuart Hogg will not be whooping and hollering if they are awarded a victory by default.
As of Tuesday, there is hope for us fans as Premiership Rugby have said they are prepared to relax their rules to allow England-based Scottish players to complete the fixture on March 26.
However, much still hinges on the French Top 14 sides showing the same generosity, so the matter is far from settled.
In any event, it is simply a huge shame that such a massive game between two exciting outfits has been forced to postpone when it should have been, arguably, the pick of the weekend’s fixtures.
Is time up for Eddie?
It seems incredible that just 18 months on from leading England to a World Cup final, memorably beating the All Blacks 19-7 along the way, head coach Eddie Jones could be approaching the end game of his tenure.
Across three fixtures, England have occasionally spluttered into life to deliver some decent rugby but have been pretty inconsistent on the whole.
In the first half against Wales, they were excellent despite their opposition having an effective 14 point headstart.
It was their most dynamic and free-flowing half of rugby in the tournament after a dour display in the defeat to Scotland and the routine smashing of Italy.
As much as their discipline was under the spotlight in the defeat to Wales, it was the lack of ambition and direction that was so alarming in the Calcutta Cup loss.
Despite an Autumn Nations Cup success, they were fairly insipid in the final against a second-string France side that has lit up the rugby world under Fabien Galthie.
It took a late 80th minute Luke Cowan-Dickie try to force extra time in that match, but it was a win built more on attrition than finesse.
A spiky, divisive character, Jones is cut from the Jose Mourinho style of management more than the arm-around-the-shoulder leadership of Bobby Robson.
Whether it is telling Marland Yarde to “f*ck off home” when he said he felt a little tired or bollocking Courtney Lawes for wearing a vest at Pennyhill Park, Jones is intense and demanding 100% of the time.
Should England Head Coach Eddie Jones stay or go?
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His relentless toughness can be taxing after five-and-a-half years when the Australian took the job in October 2015, not only from a playing perspective but an emotional one also.
That energy, which proved so galvanizing when he first came in and his new team won 18 games in a row, can lose its effectiveness as personnel become wearied of it rather than inspired.
However, speaking in Jones’ defence, this slump may not be the end simply because he has overcome them before. Truth be told, his purported £750,000 a year salary demands that he does so.
The above steak is also unheard of for an England coach, with the next best Woodward’s 14 from 2002-03. In the history of the game, only the All Blacks’ Steve Hansen has matched it.
It is also easy to forget that he presided over six losses in a row in 2018 and still crafted a side capable of beating Australia and New Zealand at the World Cup the following year.
Given his recent contract extension, it seems highly unlikely for Jones to be fired and his enthusiasm for the job still feels unparalleled - given that he cropped up in Northampton to watch Saints vs Bath mere hours after England’s drubbing in Cardiff.
Either way, his reliance on his old favourites and the ignoring of form players surely has to change. The apparent disregard of Marcus Smith and, to a much larger extent, Sam Simmonds is now reaching the point of parody.
With England’s hopes now effectively over for the title, why not give Paolo Odogwu, Max Malins or Ollie Lawrence extended runs in the team?
Although it may not be a terminal funk, Jones surely has to hit the reboot and get England firing again.
Ireland get back on track
While Cardiff played host to one of the most controversial matches in Six Nations, it was a much more low-key affair in Rome as Ireland got their first victory of this year’s championship with a 48-10 win.
While the opposition and two yellow cards puts the convincing win in perspective, this would have been a very welcome win for Andy Farrell, whose side had looked toothless in attack in their first two fixtures.
The tries to both Hugo Keenan and Will Conners at least showed a little more guile from a team which has looked too risk-averse, and Farrell would have been happy to see Johnny Sexton’s performance, who looked sharp with ball in hand.
However, this was a performance dominated by the forwards. If Ireland had the strength in depth across the park they do within their back-row, they would be Grand Slam contenders every year.
Both Conners and Tadhg Beirne were standouts at openside and blindside respectively. Conners scored twice in his first test match start since the corresponding fixture last October, while Beirne looked impressive having shifted out of his more accustomed position at second-row.
Will Conners scored twice during Ireland’s comfortable 48-10 victory in Rome on Saturday
Credit: Tommy Dickson/Inpho
His 31 metres made from just seven carries showed how impressive he was when he had the ball, while his two defenders beaten showed their is more to the Munsterman than his pure power.
However, that power is what will whet Andy Farrel’s appetite, and he may see the potential to play three traditional second rowers as the blueprint to salvage the rest of this year’s tournament.
Iain Henderson, James Ryan and Beirne are 6”6 or above, and much like we have seen when Eddie Jones has operated with Courtney Lawes, the benefits of the tactic in terms of physicality are undeniable.
It must be said, though, they will be tested by teams much better than this Italy side, who are having a chastening tournament. While they are a few years and a Jake Polledri away from a class team, for now they remain the obvious weak link in the competition.
Ireland now need to use this confidence boost to kick on. Wins over Scotland and England would put much needed gloss on a disappointing tournament, but two defeats could leave Farrell in a sticky situation come the end of March.
Lions watch: What have we learned?
Gatland has much to ponder after three rounds of Six Nations action
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Three rounds are in the books in this tournament and Warren Gatland, present in Cardiff on Saturday afternoon, certainly has a lot of decisions to mull over.
What will he have made of the tournament so far? Certainly players within his old Wales side have done themselves no harm at all. The old war horses of Tipuric, Faletau, Alun Wyn Jones and Ken Owens look far better prospects than they did before the tournament, while even names like Callum Sheedy and Kieren Hardy could be outside picks.
On the flip side, England players could well be sweating. Saturday’s match may have been a potential Lions captaincy showdown between AWJ and Maro Itoje, with the Welshman coming out on top on this occasion.
Whilst Itoje lived on the wrong side of the law, the Wales captain got through his usual unseen work quietly but effectively, playing the full 80 minutes to boot. In a three-game series against a dead-eyed Handre Pollard, ill-discipline could well be punished against the Springboks and may cause Gatland to have some concerns over his 2017 star Itoje.
Ireland hopefuls cannot have done themselves much harm either in their game, while one win and one loss for Scotland leaves their players on a knife edge.
Gatland will want to see consistency if the Scots are to make up a big contingent of their touring party than recent history has afforded them.
Sexton v Russell could be an intriguing clash of styles
Credit: Reuters
Upcoming fixtures could seal certain players' fates. A Johnny Sexton v Finn Russell match up on March 14 could see a changing of the guard, while yet another loss for England against France could see places for potential bankers like Owen Farrell and Ben Youngs put really at risk.
Gatland has mentioned his selection is not fully sealed until the day before the squad is announced, but with just over a month to go until an expected announcement it could be last chance saloon for many to stake their palace on the plane to South Africa.
(Or a plush Jersey leisure centre is reports are to be believed.)
