Watch out for France versus England in a Six Nations Grand Slam showdown. And England hasn't even started yet.
France scored five tries in a 35-17 beating of Ireland on the opening day of the championship on Saturday and there was joy for Wales, which maintained its improvement with a 23-10 victory over Scotland.
PHOTO: AFP
Second row Pascal Pape scored on his debut for France and scrumhalf Jean-Baptiste Elissalde, filling the vacuum left by the retirement of France legend Fabien Galthie, crossed the try line in a fine solo effort on his recall to the squad.
In Cardiff, the Welsh were far more superior than the scoreline suggested at their Millennium Stadium, Rhys Williams scoring two of their three tries but the Scots, trailing by 20 points going into the final minute, were fortunate they didn't concede more.
World Cup winner England begins its defense of the Six Nations title against Italy in Rome on Sunday without the retired Martin Johnson and injured Jonny Wilkinson.
It was a similar situation for the Irish in Paris with inspirational hooker Keith Wood now in retirement and their best player, star center Brian O'Driscoll, missing the game through injury.
While the French were nowhere near at their best before an expectant crowd of 80,000, they had too much quality and the World Cup semifinalists, who lost to England in Sydney, now look almost certain to be England's strongest challenger. The two rugby giants meet in the final game of the championship at the Stade de France March 27.
The other French tries came from muscular center Yannick Jauzion and returning winger Vincent Clerc while Ireland's two tries in a disappointing performance both came in a second-half fightback, from back row Anthony Foley and winger Tyrone Howe.
"I could see that they were tired," Elissalde said of the Irish. "I waited for the right occasion."
Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan said he didn't think the scoreline reflected the Irish play.
``We made some errors and were punished cruelly for them,'' he said. ``They had four opportunities and took them all. The best team won but 35-17 was not a fair reflection of the way we played.
``It was hard work out there. We finished the game on their line and were unlucky not to put another try past them. The final try count was reasonable, but it would have fairer had it been four-three.''
A crowd of 73,913 saw Wales dominate all but the last 15 minutes against the Scots, whose new Australian coach, Matt Williams, started with a disappointing loss.
Winger Rhys Williams and prop Adam Jones scored two tries in the first half as the Welsh went into half time 18-3 ahead and Williams added a third early in the second half. Only a late try by British Lions back row Simon Taylor gave the Scots some respectability.
"It's just great to get a win not only for the squad but for the fans who have been following us for the past few years," said Rhys Williams, whose Welsh team has not won an opening Six Nations match for seven seasons.
"You could feel the expectation and we were glad to put in a good start and get the lead. We've still got a long way to go. But we've progressed this far and we'll keep on going and look forward to the next game next weekend."
Gareth Thomas and Shane Williams had tries disallowed as the Welsh repeatedly tore through the Scottish defense.
"We didn't play very well," said Scotland coach Matt Williams, whose team next plays England. "We're hugely disappointed. In particular I'm disappointed that we didn't implement the systems and play the way we said we would and the way we had planned to do. It's a long road that we're on and this shows us so far we have to travel."
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