Rome (AFP)

A capital feat and an offensive lesson.

The 2021 Six Nations Tournament got off to a flying start on Saturday with a surprise victory for Scotland in England (11-6) after a serene triumph for France in Italy (50-10).

Wales and Ireland face off in Cardiff on Sunday at the end of the first day (15:00 GMT).

.

France starts off with a bang

A demonstration.

Seven tries, 40 points ahead ... Serious and diligent, the XV of France crushed Italy (50-10) to launch the 2021 Tournament in the best possible way.

Worn by an Antoine Dupont XXL, the Blues took 49 minutes to get the offensive bonus point, time for Dylan Cretin (6th), Gaël Fickou (26th), Arthur Vincent (29th) and Brice Dulin (49th) d ' register one trial each.

With a Teddy Thomas who has regained his wings and an Arthur Vincent who has asserted himself, Fabien Galthié's men have not had any feelings against very palate Italians.

The Squadra Azzurra is still chasing a first success in the Tournament since February 2015.

The French will have the opportunity to confirm next week, in Dublin, against Ireland.

Italy is moving to England.

.

Monumental Scotland

Historical!

The Scots won in England (11-6) for the first time since ... 1983. The Five Nations Tournament was then won by France with Serge Blanco, Pierre Berbizier and Jean-Pierre Rives.

One hundred and fifty years after their first opposition, the English got their feet in the rug and offered the oldest trophy in world rugby, the Calcutta Cup, to their best enemy.

Scottish captain Stuart Hogg had promised that he and his teammates would break the Indian sign.

But he was probably one of the few to believe it.

Shining with solidarity and generosity, Gregor Townsend's men mistreated the locals.

And it was a test by winger Duhan van der Merwe (29th), born in South Africa, which made the difference.

Eddie Jones, he can bite his fingers: his England team, already struggling against French reservists in the final of the Autumn Nations Cup in December, seems to be stagnating.

Unable to react to a team of Scotland as courageous as awkward, the vice-world champions did not do justice to their status.

Finally, the XV du Chardon did not tremble until the opener of Racing 92 Finn Russell received a yellow card for an unfortunate tripod (37th).

A feat.

© 2021 AFP