Rugby evening headlines as confident Scotland international claims Wales 'didn't put up much of a fight'
Here are the latest rugby headlines on the evening of Wednesday, February 9.
Steve Tandy Sport News
Fraser Brown: Scotland’s focus is on a championship challenge - but big call in back-row may hinge on lineout thoughts
Scotland vs England is always a box-office fixture north of the border. In times where there has been little hope of Scotland mounting a Six Nations title challenge, the Calcutta Cup has provided a focal point for fans and players hoping to upset the odds. Saturday’s win over England could not have been further from this scenario.
Who’s hot and who’s not: Ireland, Scottish defence, Tonga fundraising and Luke Cowan-Dickie
Ireland: Hopes were high following their impressive Autumn Nations Series campaign and they were right to be positive after they dismantled defending champions Wales in the Six Nations opener. The Irish were impressive in pretty much every facet, with the forwards dominating and the backline taking advantage of their excellence up front to ease to a bonus-point triumph. The encounter with France this weekend will tell us more but, on this evidence, that could well be a title decider.
Scotland defence chief Steve Tandy outlines disciplinary touchstones ahead of Calcutta Cup clash
If restricting the penalty count to single figures is generally considered to be key to keeping your head above water in international rugby then Scotland did well to swim against the tide during the Autumn Nations Series.