Sat 5 Feb 2022 | 06:55

Wins for Ireland and Scotland in opening day of 2022 Six Nations

Both Ireland and Scotland both made good starts to their respective 2022 Six Nations campaigns in Dublin and Edinburgh.

Ireland v Wales

Ireland had a convincing win over title holders Wales finishing 29-7 at the Aviva Stadium. 4 tries were scored by Ireland against the visitors in what was a clinical second half by Ireland. Ireland opened the contest with a try inside 3 minutes when Bundee Aki slid in the corner, assisted by debutant (and player of the match) Mack Hansen. The Australian born winger, Hansen had a calm and collective performance to mark his first international cap. Mack Hansen often came off his wing to act as a link player, and qualifies to play for Ireland through his Cork born mother.

Johnny Sexton had a nervy opening quarter, missing his first two penalties attempts, however, there were no question marks about his open field play.

Andy Farrell will undoubtedly be delighted with the Irish result and tentatively looking forward to their away clash with as some would say, championship favourites, France.

Scotland v England

The second match of the evening, the Calcutta cup, as usual in recent years did not disappoint. Scotland, the current holders, having beaten England last February, in Twickenham for the first time since 1983. One of the players to watch, starting England outhalf, Marcus Smith opened the scoring with an early penalty. Less than a minute later, replacement scrum half Ben White, who represented England u20s, responded for Scotland less than a minute later. The opening try of the game for Scotland, originated from a brilliant break from winger Darcy Graham, beating multiple defenders and giving an excellent pass inside for White to score.

The turning point in the game came late on in the second half, when substitute Luke Cowan-Dickie, deliberately slapped a Finn Russell cross kick into touch. Referee Ben O’Keefe, opted to send Cowan-Dickie to the sin bin and awarded a penalty try to Scotland to tie the game at 17 a piece. In the following 5 minutes, Finn Russell added a penalty for Scotland to put them in the lead and the win at 20-17. Scotland retained the Calcutta Cup for the first time in 38 years.