Six Nations - The Saintly Viewpoint

By Chris G
February 17 2003

A bit of a mixed bag for the Saints involved in this weeks first round of Six Nations games. Some bathed in glory while for others it was a quick shower and home to think again.

Lock Steve Williams was part of a Welsh team that suffered a shock defeat at the hands of John Kirwans reborn Italians. Big Swill scored Wales opening try but had to leave the field on 50 minutes with back problems and could be a doubt for Saturdays clash with England at the Millennium Dome.........sorry Stadium.

The Italians took the game to Welsh and despite all the protestations of the BBC commentary team the 'Azzurri' were worthy winners at 30-22.

With Matt Dawson having to withdraw due to a calf injury from Englands side to play France at Twickers on Saturday it was down to Steve Thompson and Ben Cohen to guide the Red Rose boys to a workmanlike victory over the Gallic ones.

Wally had one of his best games in an England shirt while Ben, despite not scoring as is the norm, was all over the park in both attack and defence.

The boot of Jonny Wilko and a well created try for Jason Robinson saw England home 25-17. The whole day though was overshadowed by the untimely death of Quins Nick Duncombe on the eve of the game which put all things in perspective.

So to Sunday.........

A strange thing happened at Murrayfield on Sunday afternoon. No not Ireland winning in Edinburgh for the first time since 1985 and no not the first Scottish game in many a long year not commentated on by the dulcet tones of Bill McLaren, no the odd thing was just one Saint started for Scotland.

Wee Tam Smith led the way for the kilted Jimmies (and thats a Northamptons, Saint James reference not a Russ Abbott one) but despite the front row forwards efforts in the tight and loose they could clearly do with another half dozen of our boys as Ireland took them apart.

A record defeat of 36-6 see the Flower of Scotland wilting already and surely all efforts will now be made to try and get Budge Pountney into the Scottish fold.

At 'A' level on Friday night both Robbie Morris and Paul Grayson played major parts in Englands victory over the French in front of 6500 at the Gardens. Larry was indeed the local hero racking up 20 points in the 30-13 victory. You can read Rich's full report of the game via a link at the bottom of the page.

For England Under 21's Saints rising star Chris Hyndman played a part in a narrow 26-25 win over their French counterparts at Newbury on Friday.

Ben Russell wasn't quite so lucky as the other English Saints at the weekend. Ben had to leave the field after a half hour in the U19 fixture against the French at Broadstreet, Coventry with a facial wound.

To compound this the French edged home 13-17, the only defeat for the various level English teams over the weekend.


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