Defeated by a short header in England, Ireland remains in pole position to retain its title in the Six Nations Tournament before the final day, this Saturday in Dublin, against a Scottish XV which has not beaten it again since 2017.
The outgoing champion took lightning at Twickenham with a last drop (23-22) fatal to his Grand Slam dream, but he will just have to not lose, at home, to keep his property.
For England, crowned in 2020 for the last time, the hope of a title also remains even if it rests on a very thin thread. The XV de la Rose (2nd, 12 points) will have to win in France, which it has not achieved since 2016, and hope for a boost from Scotland, including the last victory against Ireland ( 1st, 16 pts) dates back seven years. And his last victory in Dublin, at fourteen.
The Irish will also probably be revengeful after going down in the 80th minute of a thrilling and stunning clash in London, where their usual firepower was partly extinguished. The two tries from James Lowe and the penalties passed by Jack Crowley did not make it possible to bring down the English neighbor, a step back after three first improved victories in the Tournament.
The final fight to come against Scotland, third on equal points with France (4th, 11 pts), gives Ireland the opportunity to draw the curtain on a good note and celebrate, at the home, on the eve of St. Patrick’s Day. At home, the XV of Clover seems unstoppable with eighteen victories in its last eighteen matches.
At the opening of the 5th day, Wales will have a completely different mission, in Cardiff, against Italy: to avoid the infamous “wooden spoon” that the red lantern collects after five defeats in five matches.
The Leek XV already has four in a Tournament supposed to bring experience to its young guard, led by captain Dafydd Jenkins and supported this time by the pair of centers George North and Nick Tompkins, 155 caps between them, return to the XV.
Coach Warren Gatland saw his team narrowly lose against Scotland (27-26) and England (16-14), before losing against Ireland (31-7) and France (45-24).
Opposite, Italy arrives launched by its last two major performances, a historic draw against the Blues (13-13) and a victory against Scotland (31-29).