Dublin (AFP)

Fifth in the 2020 edition, Wales alone took the lead in the 2021 Six Nations Tournament by dominating Scotland on the wire (25-24) on Saturday during the second day which saw England do the job, without brio.

The XV of France can join the Welsh at the top of the standings in case of victory, Sunday, in Ireland, where the Blues have not won since 2011.

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England without convincing

Six tries registered, an offensive bonus point and a quiet victory ... England did not have a feeling in front of Italy (41-18).

Without forcing but without reassuring either, a week after the historic setback against Scotland (11-6), the first victory of the XV du Chardon since 1983.

Of course, Anthony Watson has split a double but the executives have not really shown themselves to their advantage, Owen Farrell and Ben Youngs in the lead.

The center (29 years old, 89 caps) and the scrum half (31 years old, 105 caps) struggled to impose their leg on the game against Italians as valiant as limited.

Worse, Eddie Jones' men seemed feverish at times with fifteen missed tackles but also twelve penalties and thirteen turnovers conceded ... "It was not the best performance but, in terms of feeling, energy and envy, we became ourselves again, "admitted Farrell, the captain of the XV de la Rose.

The English have a week's rest to get back into working order before heading to Cardiff, where they haven't beaten Wales in the Tournament since 2017.

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Scotland without spice

A week after bringing down the English at home for the first time in 38 years, the Scots got their feet in the mat against Wales (25-24).

The red card collected by the pillar Zander Fagerson (53rd) certainly did not help but the Scots missed the boat.

And the Welsh, carried by Louis Rees Zammit, author of his third try of the Tournament, took the leadership of the classification of the competition.

Despite two half-fig, half-grape performances.

Not convincing in front of Ireland (21-16), not exciting in Scotland, the men of Wayne Pivac can bulge the chest.

Especially since they are in the process of making people forget the disappointing 5th and penultimate place won in pain last year.

The Scots, they lacked pragmatism and discipline despite a sparkling Stuart Hogg again.

© 2021 AFP