Ireland

It seems that today Scotland have become a simple speed bump for the Welsh on their merry way to a Grand Slam

A gutsy win for England at the Stadio Olimpico saw them go top of the table running out 19-15 winners against Italy. England came from 15-6 down to scrape their second win of the championship.

How's it going my rugby buddies! As the Six Nations swings by it's a great couple of months for all rugby fans in the Northern Hemisphere.

Six Nations: Week 2 Preview

The stage was set for Ireland to get their revenge over a Welsh side that had won their previous two encounters, at the World Cup and a controversial Six Nations fixture in Cardiff last season.

Philippe Saint-Andre's first game in charge saw France win comfortably against Italy 30-12 in front of the Paris crowd. The home side avenged last year's defeat to the Azzurri by dominating the game from start to finish.

So what did we learn from the first weekend of the 6 Nations. Some would say not much that we didn’t know on Friday but it was a weekend that gave us flashes of brilliance amongst the pragmatism and a couple of controversial refereeing decisions.

It is one of those things where you are envious because that guy is living your dream, but you would be too terrified to say anything if you were in his position.

The first game of this year's Six Nations tournament sees World Cup finalists France host Italy at the Stade de France.

Six Nations coaches and players chat to Talking Rugby

Declan Kidney is an excellent rugby coach. An under-19 world title, two Heineken cups and an Irish Grand Slam confirm as much.

When I last wrote a Blog I was still in New Zealand enjoying what I can only describe as the best World Cup to have ever been played out!

As the star player of Ireland's World Cup campaign, a Heineken Cup winner, ERC European Player of the Year and Rugby Writers of Ireland Player of the Year, it's easy to forget that Sean O'Brien is only 24 years of age.

Declan Kidney had made 10 changed to the side that started in the shock defeat of Australia, but the side gelled from the offset, immediately causing Russia some problems

Ireland will look to continue their good form against minnows Russia at the Rotorua International Stadium.

In what is one of the greatest results for Irish rugby, the men in green ground out a well deserved victory against Australia. The Wallabies were outplayed, out-muscled and out-scored by the men from the Emerald Isle.

Ireland and Australia go into their second pool C game on the back of wins as Australia were rampant against a sorry Italy while the Irish staggered past a resilient USA.

Ireland got their World Cup Campaign underway unconvincingly against a rugged USA beating them 22-10. Two tries from Tommy Bowe and Rory Best saw the Irish beat a resilient Eagles team.

Ireland will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing campaign back in 2007 when they failed to progress from what was perceived as the group of death

Tries from Manu Tuilagi and Delon Armitage saw England to a 20-9 victory over Ireland in torrid conditions at the Aviva Stadium.