Talking points from Six Nations round two
England beat France in a classic Six Nations finale but things got worse for Wales in Italy, while Ireland are the only side still retaining Grand Slam hopes after their victory over Scotland.
Here's our round-up of the big talking points from the second round of fixtures in the 2025 tournament.
England 'find a way' against France
After a 2024 packed full of narrow losses from winning positions, England had to face more accusations of an inability to see out close games following their 27-22 defeat by Ireland in round one.
They were on the right side of late drama against France at Allianz Stadium, with Elliot Daly's last-gasp converted try securing a 26-25 win.
France could have killed the game off much earlier but England clinched victory in a dramatic conclusion, delighting a raucous Twickenham crowd.
Former England internationals Martin Johnson, Matt Dawson and Chris Ashton all used the same phrase when describing England's victory - they "found a way" to win.
On the BBC's Six Nations Rugby Special, former England prop Joe Marler said: "Speaking to fans and people around [Twickenham], they were really nervous, they didn't know what to expect. They're weren't sure what was coming.
"To pull it out of the bag - just - it was back and forth, I loved it. The atmosphere was incredible."
England led for less than four minutes and while former winger Ugo Monye said there was "still lots to work on", they now have a "positive platform" before hosting Scotland on 22 February.
Matches against Italy and Wales follow and BBC rugby union correspondent Chris Jones added: "England fans have had to put up with quite a lot in the Six Nations.
"They've not won it since 2020 and a lot of times [since] they've lost on the opening day and not really competed. Last year they had an outside shot in France, but really it was Ireland's title.
"The challenge for England is to be in the title race on the final day because they've not been in that situation for five years."
France 'got the dropsies'
Defence coach Shaun Edwards told BBC Sport that France "just got the dropsies for a day" and it proved costly, with Antoine Dupont and Damian Penaud among those who coughed up possession with the tryline in sight during the opening 40 minutes.
France captain Dupont said: "We only have ourselves to blame. The first half was far from perfect, we should have scored at least three tries. Had we done so, the match would have been completely different.
"They were pragmatic - every time they entered our half, they scored. We, on the other hand, wasted too many opportunities."
Former Ireland fly-half Ronan O'Gara, who coaches French club La Rochelle, said on BBC One: "The big word would be precision or accuracy - a record number of knock-ons from people you don't associate knock-ons from.
"We saw that Dupont is human. When he's like that, it gives other teams a chance."
Ireland show Grand Slam credentials
Ireland's 32-18 win over Scotland at Murrayfield on Sunday means the holders remain on course for a third successive title.
O'Gara said: "If you're looking for a formula of how to win away in the Six Nations, you should study that.
"It was ruthless from minute one. The biggest surprise among us [pundits] here is that it finished 32-18.
"It felt like a 40-point victory and maybe if Ireland needed to, they had another couple of gears to go up."
Sam Prendergast was named player of the match, excelling in the fly-half position that was left vacant by Johnny Sexton's retirement after the 2023 World Cup.
O'Gara added: "He didn't show any nerves and looked very comfortable. If that's what he's doing at 21, you can imagine what he'll be like at 25 or 26. We've got a really good prospect.
"With the environment he's in, he'll be kept on his toes because he knows Jack Crowley is biting at his heels.
"Winning has become a habit and if you want to drive standards, you need to be really good. Being in the Ireland team isn't good enough for them any more, they want to be man of the match and want to be talked about by their peers."
Scotland's awful run against Ireland goes on
Scotland were unable to end a run of consecutive defeats by Ireland that now stands at 11.
The losses of Finn Russell and Darcy Graham to injuries following a nasty first-half collision did not help their cause as they slipped 17-0 behind.
Buoyed by Duhan van der Merwe's try just before half-time, they reduced the deficit to six points, but any hopes of a comeback win were quickly extinguished and they were second-best for long spells.
Ex-Scotland back row John Barclay said on BBC One: "The reality was that Scotland had to be somewhere near their best and they were way off it.
"There are two parts to that - Scotland were poor, a lot of unforced errors and they got dominated at the breakdown.
"The other part was that Ireland were very good. They were clinical, they controlled how and where the game was going to be played."
Johnson added: "Scotland didn't really have any attitude in the first half, they almost didn't believe they could win the game, they made mistakes and they made it too easy for Ireland. That scoreline flatters Scotland.
"For 10 minutes after half-time, they played with aggression and tenacity and looked OK. Then they stopped again, there were mistakes and the game was over."
Wales' issues 'go back 10-15 years'
Wales' 22-15 defeat by Italy in Rome made it a record-extending 14 losses in a row for a team that has now fallen below Georgia to 12th in the world rankings.
Former Wales international James Hook said on the BBC's Rugby Union Weekly podcast: "The scoreline definitely flattered Wales. Italy were completely dominant and Wales were second in pretty much every facet of the game.
"The frustration from Welsh supporters is that we've not seen any progression either. If you see some sort of development and something to be optimistic about, you think 'OK, we are actually developing'. But we haven't really improved."
Warren Gatland wants to fight on as head coach but, with another Wooden Spoon potentially looming, what positives can Wales take from their final three games against Ireland, Scotland and England?
Ex-captain Sam Warburton said on BBC One: "All I want to see is some players - there won't be 10 of them - but we need three, four or five, on top of people like Jac Morgan and Tomos Williams, to say: 'I'm an international-class player and this is going to be my shirt for the next five to 10 years'.
"We need guys to step up and own that shirt."
Questions, of course, are being asked about what can be done to arrest the national team's decline and Jones, like many other pundits and journalists, believes the problems are deep-rooted.
"It goes back 10-15 years," he said. "It's about management, finances, pathways - there is so much to fix and it's a depressing situation when you think what a great rugby nation this is."
