Six Nations 2024: Talking points after wins for England, Italy and France

Italy shocked Scotland in Rome, England ended Ireland's bid for back-to-back Grand Slams and France showed their class to defeat Wales in Cardiff.

The penultimate weekend of the 2024 Six Nations was thrilling and dramatic in equal measure and ensures the title race goes to the final round of games on Saturday.

What are the key talking points from another epic round?

Borthwick's best win

After more than a year in the hot seat as England head coach, Steve Borthwick needed a statement win and Marcus Smith's last-gasp drop-goal to beat title favourites Ireland delivered it.

England's World Cup semi-final defeat by South Africa was hailed as the best under Borthwick, but this time they got over the line.

"It was a breakout performance from that England team," former England fly-half Paul Grayson said on the BBC's Rugby Union Daily.

"They set off like a house on fire and stayed at it for the whole time whether they were ahead or behind.

"The pitch-side noise was deafening. Twickenham was absolutely superb."

As great as the victory was over the defending Grand Slam champions, England need to back up the performance against France in Lyon next Saturday.

England still have hopes of winning the title and will feel they have some misery to inflict after suffering an embarrassing record home defeat by France only 12 months ago.

• 'England's win over Ireland a statement in many ways' - Matt Dawson

• Match-winner Marcus Smith returns to stake England claim

Ireland still title favourites

England may have ended Ireland's bid to become the first Six Nations side to win back-to-back Grand Slams, but the championship remains in touching distance for Andy Farrell's ambitious side.

After picking up bonus points in every round so far, Ireland are four points ahead of England going into their final game against Scotland in Dublin.

"We talked about going back-to-back Grand Slams which would have been unbelievable," former Ireland wing Tommy Bowe said on the BBC's Rugby Union Daily.

"But the reason maybe Ireland had that chance is because there are a lot of teams in transition and we are not seeing them at the levels we have in the past.

"Ireland will go back to Dublin and regather themselves as it doesn't come much bigger than Scotland.

"They have such a proud record at home and will want to make amends."

A losing bonus-point should be enough to seal the title for Farrell's men, but after Borthwick claimed Ireland were "the best team in the world" - despite South Africa winning the World Cup - they will want to try to justify that tag with a memorable performance.

• 'Shades of Paris as Ireland's back-to-back bid crumbles in Twickenham epic'

• Six Nations fixtures, standings and BBC coverage

Scotland's title charge fades away

What could have been for Scotland.

In round two, Gregor Townsend's side were denied victory against France by an inconclusive last-gasp try. That refereeing decision can no longer be blamed for a failed title bid.

An emphatic victory over England at Murrayfield sparked their championship hopes alive again. However, Italy outplayed Scotland for large portions of their game in Rome to record their first win in 14 matches against them.

"I don't think there is pressure on Gregor Townsend. We can't change the narrative that quickly," former Scotland captain John Barclay said on the BBC's Rugby Union Daily.

"They could have had three wins on the board, but for a refereeing decision.

"From offering so much optimism from what they could do, now they are going to Dublin to almost save that campaign."

Mathematically, Scotland can still win the title but ifs, buts and maybes continue to haunt Scotland in the Six Nations.

• 'Scotland despondency will linger as long as Italian joy

Wooden Spoon battle in Cardiff

Wales' defeat by France means Warren Gatland's side are in danger of finishing bottom of the pile and picking up the dreaded Wooden Spoon.

Last season, Gatland said the Wooden Spoon was "the last thing you want" before a potential first whitewash in the Six Nations since 2003.

On the penultimate weekend Wales defeated Italy in Rome to avenge their surprise defeat in Cardiff in 2022.

This year, Gatland's side head into Saturday's game against Italy without a win and trailing a rejuvenated Italy side by four points.

"Italy have won there before with an amazing last-minute win, so they have got experience there," former England wing Chris Ashton said on Six Nations Rugby Special.

"They know how to win there and off the back of a win like that have to be confident."

Italy last finished fifth in 2015 - when Scotland finished bottom - and have picked up the Wooden Spoon eight times in a row.

Will their miserable run end in Cardiff?

• Wales aims to avoid achieving 21-year tournament low

Le Garrec sparks French resurgence

Heading into France's match against Wales, the absence of Antoine Dupont had been the main talking point of the 2022 Grand Slam winners' mediocre campaign.

Without their talisman they had lost their spark and energy in attack and only recorded one slightly fortuitous win.

Under-pressure head coach Fabien Galthie dropped scrum-half Maxime Lucu in favour of 21-year-old Nolann Le Garrec, who produced a player-of-the-match performance in Cardiff with a fearless display.

Le Garrec took inspiration from Dupont, who is currently with the France sevens team chasing an Olympic gold, by firing out an audacious 40-yard reverse pass to set up a break down the wing.

"It was the most unnecessary but brilliant piece of skill I have seen in the Six Nations," former England wing Ugo Monye said on Six Nations Rugby Special.

The diminutive scrum-half scored his side's second try in Cardiff and was a constant threat throughout the game. In a very Dupont-like performance, he also nailed the basics.

"Because he is inexperienced and young he just wants to get out there and play his game, which is sometimes what you need with younger players," Ashton added.

"He did it in his own way this weekend. He was outstanding. He was involved in everything good."

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