Fin Smith stakes claim as France hit back – what we learned from Six Nations

Ireland and England edged two desperately close encounters while France ran amok against Italy as the third round of the Guinness Six Nations delivered more thrills and spills.

Here, we examine five things learned from the weekend’s action.

“There is loads for us to get better at” was Maro Itoje’s diplomatic assessment as England staged the ultimate smash and grab raid on Scotland, who dominated the Allianz Stadium showdown on just about every meaningful attacking metric including the try count of three to one. But. to their credit, Steve Borthwick’s men appear to have found a knack of winning. After a year of falling agonisingly short in tight finishes against top opposition, they have reeled off successive one-point victories against France and Scotland. They may be riding their luck at times but the resilience being shown at clutch moments is a precious step forward.

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A sliding doors moment in the race for the British and Irish Lions fly-half duties may have unfolded at Allianz Stadium. While Scotland’s favourite for the jersey Finn Russell missed a late match-winning conversion, as well as his two other shots at goal and was bumped off in the tackle, Fin Smith was showing his mettle in adversity. A momentum-changing hit on Tom Jordan was followed up with a monster penalty that ultimately won the game for England. Some of Russell’s attacking play was irresistible but Smith showed the steelier nerves when it mattered. Ireland’s rising star Sam Prendergast is also displaying some classy touches but, after just two Test starts, the 22-year-old Smith is right in mix.

Fabien Galthie wanted a reaction after France blew their chance against England in round two and his heavily-changed