It was in Week 2 of this year's Six Nations that the action really kicked into gear. Wales sank further with a humbling defeat against Italy in Rome, England stunned France with a chaotic victory at Twickenham and Ireland showed why they are firm favourites for the title in a dominant win over Scotland.
There is plenty of food for thought, but are those reactions irrational or legitimate? ESPN's Tom Hamilton and James Regan weigh in.
Jump to:
England | Ireland | Wales
Scotland | France | Italy
Fin Smith cemented England fly-half spot
England went with a Test rookie at fly-half against France. It was a gamble. But Fin Smith put in a Player of the Match performance. Is it now his shirt to lose?
Verdict: NOT AN OVERREACTION
Fin Smith could have crumbled. After kicking the match off, his first touch of the ball saw him charged down. This was his maiden England start, having been given the keys to No. 10. But instead of letting it get to him, he pushed on and grew into the match, trusting his instincts and the raw skillset that's seen him given the opportunity in the starting fly-half spot.
He was impressive in defence, but also moulded the backline together in a more effective manner than when Marcus Smith was at 10. And then came the key moments which swung the balance of the match in England's favour.
First the cross-kick to Tommy Freeman in the 58th minute. There were audible groans from the England fans in the stadium as he launched it into the sky; they had grown fatigued at seeing England previously kick possession away. But this was pinpoint, landing on Freeman who plucked the ball from the air above Louis Bielle-Biarrey and dotted it down. Later, with the match ticking towards full time with England six points down, Smith was the fulcrum of the backs move that put Elliot Daly over. A few seconds later, he slotted the match-winning conversion, having taken on the kicking duties earlier in the match from Marcus Smith.
It was the performance of someone far beyond his tender years, and great Test experience. But it was also exactly what England needed. Marcus Smith will want to get his 10 jersey back -- especially with George Furbank returning in the coming weeks -- while George Ford is far from done as an international fly-half. But Fin Smith is the incumbent and it's his jersey to lose. -- Tom Hamilton
Ireland will make history this Six Nations
Verdict: NOT AN OVERREACTION
This was meant to be the weekend where Scotland snapped their 10-match losing run against Ireland -- but instead, Simon Easterby's team eased through the match at Murrayfield, taking it 32-18.
Sam Prendergast had an armchair ride at fly-half and managed to steer the match brilliantly, while the bench made a firm impact, just like they did against England in round one. Two matches down, and it couldn't really have gone any better for Ireland.
Two matches down, and it couldn't really have gone any better for Ireland. You feel they haven't even yet reached top gear, and all the while they are clocking up the wins.
Up next for Easterby's team is a trip to Cardiff to face crisis-ridden Wales, then it's France coming to town in round four, and finally, a flight over to Rome to tackle Italy. That France match is absolutely key. You expect they'll win against Wales -- though expect Gatland's side to put up one hell of a fight -- and if there's a title on the line, they'll win in Rome.
But it's that France match will decide whether they end up with the Grand Slam or not. Regardless, they have 10 points from their two matches so far, and all signs are pointing towards them lifting the trophy for the third time in as many years.
Wales losing streak will reach 17 games
Wales simply had to find a way to beat Italy. But instead they came away from Rome bloodied and bruised after a 22-15 defeat, their 14th Test loss in a row. With Scotland, Ireland and England to come, they are likely to end up with the wooden spoon again.
Verdict: NOT AN OVERREACTION
Nothing went Wales' way in Rome. There were dropped passes with the tryline gaping, 14 penalties coughed up, and unfortunate errors compounding any progress. And the defeat left the players and management desolate. It was their 14th Test defeat in a row. They are 12th in the world rankings, below Georgia.
"There's no doubt it's challenging," Warren Gatland said afterwards. "You do question yourself. You definitely feel the pressure as a team that hasn't won for a while. It's not the easiest position to be in. But you have to be strong."
It remains to be seen if the WRU give him the time to turn this around.
Dan Biggar, the former Welsh fly-half, said afterwards: "This team look short of belief and confidence. The curve has been downward. I don't think anything is off the table. It can't be. It can't carry on."
Regardless of what happens after the final throes of the Six Nations, Wales still have three matches in this tournament. They have Ireland at home on Feb. 22, Scotland away on March 8 and then England in Cardiff on March 15.
The beauty and ridiculous nature of this sport is you can convince yourself they may find a way to win one of those Tests despite form and logic saying otherwise. Stranger things have happened, and you do fancy Gatland to pull a rabbit out of the hat.
He's done it before, and few are better at winning when backs against the wall, but a glance at the bookmakers sees Wales destined for the wooden spoon. It's going to take a monumental effort to avoid this becoming 17 defeats on the bounce. -- Tom Hamilton
Antoine Dupont was overhyped before England clash
France will be kicking themselves this week having seen victory slip through their fingers at Twickenham on Saturday on a 26-25 defeat to England. In a sloppy performance, even Dupont wasn't immune from key mistakes and one could argue that the feting of his talents by many as the greatest in world rugby union at the moment is an overreach.
Verdict: OVERREACTION
Admittedly, the sight of Dupont making key errors at various stages of the match was bizarre -- although it was thoroughly enjoyed by the Twickenham faithful.
While England fans had the last laugh on Saturday, don't be fooled into thinking Dupont was in any way overhyped.
He is the world's best player by some distance. He was still instrumental in France's good moments. He got them going before handing off to Damian Penaud who set up their opening try.
The France skipper also worked his side perfectly up field in their immediate response to Ollie Lawrence's try for France's second. But his impact, both because of England's pressure and France's own mistakes, was more limited than usual.
He cut a stern figure in the post-match news conference and admitted his side bombed at least three tries. Being the fantastic player he is, he'll be making sure neither he or his teammates have a repeat of their failure at Twickenham, so expect him to be back with a fire in his belly Italy and especially against Ireland next month. -- James Regan
Scotland's Gregor Townsend is in the hot seat
After an escape job against Italy in week one, Scotland were well beaten 32-18 in Edinburgh on Sunday as their losing streak against Ireland stretched to 11.
Verdict: OVERREACTION
Injuries may ultimately spare Scotland's blushes this year, but there have still been patches in both their matches that will be of serious concern.
On paper, they have a strong side from 1-15, with experience all over the park. They wobbled against Italy, but the wheels fell off against a very good Ireland side. The absence of Finn Russell and Darcy Graham owing to a nasty collision was an absolute dagger -- but still, they were never truly in the fight.
The image of Russell and the injured Sione Tuipulotu on the sidelines against Ireland will leave Scotland fans wondering what might have been, and it's a sight that will ease the pressure on Townsend. How can he be expected to compete with so much bad luck in terms of injuries? Who knows what may have unfolded had those two, as well as Scott Cummings, been on the pitch.
What it does mean is the game against England in a fortnight is shaping up to be very important -- more so than usual even -- for both sides and perhaps crucially, the coaches. -- James Regan
Italy have been underwhelming so far
After a slow start which cost them dearly against Scotland, Italy earned victory against Wales on Saturday which could see them avoid the wooden spoon again this season.
VERDICT: NOT AN OVERREACTION
The first half against Scotland was disappointing, with their key players failing to make an impact. They then hosted a very underwhelming Wales side who were again heavily criticised after the 22-15 defeat in Rome.
Saturday's game was a chance for Italy to turn on the razzle dazzle and assert their authority over their wooden spoon rivals. Instead, they looked as though they were happy to cruise and, while penalty points were handed to them and they played smart, you would expect more progress from a side with so much attacking potential.
They didn't put the foot on the throat as top teams do, and allowed Wales back into the game late to earn a score which flattered them. Italy could kick on from here, but fans will be hoping for more tries and excitement going forward. -- James Regan
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