By Jackie Finlan

As Round 4 of the Women’s Six Nations neared, much attention was bestowed on Le Crunch — the annual meeting of England and France and the end to one of the teams’ undefeated record — and that attention was deserved.

The hype built as the ticket sales for the Grenoble, France, fixture approached a tournament record, and the 17,440 spectators were rewarded with a dramatic one-point decision.

But the weekend did not end there. The true joy, in terms of competition, followed as the two subsequent games produced single-digit contests and underdog victors.

Watch Round 5 of the 2018 Women's Six Nations LIVE on FloRugby

France 18, England 17

But first, the main act: England vs. France. Commentator and Red Rose Maggie Alphonsi confessed that she never bets against England but feared that home-field advantage might give Les Bleus an edge, but the visitors did well to hush the French crowd early on. 

With the exception of some ball carriers being held up by the likes of Safi N’Diaye, the English forwards recycled the ball well, Leanne Riley moved the ball quickly, and flat passes to on-rushing support saw solid gains.

FULL MATCH REPLAY

Approximately eight minutes in, prop Sarah Bern worked the two-on-one along the sideline and sent the finishing pass to wing Abigail Dow, who cut back inside for the try. Flyhalf Katy Daley-Mclean converted for the 7-0 lead.

Rachael Burford was dinged for a late hit on eventual Player of the Match Jessy Tremouliere, and although England escaped with no points against during those 10 minutes, the extra space helped France find some rhythm in the back line. The hosts' cause was helped as France’s voracious breakdown work chopped up some of England’s possession, and prop Julie Duval was particularly effective in this regard. Attacking 10 meters from the line, France’s interplay was so quick and calm, and a well-timed pass from Jade Le Pesq put Tremouliere into the corner. The fullback’s conversion hit the post, keeping England's lead at 7-5.

The first lead change occurred just before the half, as France stole a lineout in the Red Roses’ end. The set piece troubled England all game, and the turnovers and penalties prevented the team from maximizing its devastating rolling maul. On this occasion, France launched into attack, and as the ball worked its way back to the sideline, wing Caroline Boujard did an excellent job of salvaging a bad pass from flyhalf Caroline Drouin. From a dead start, she stepped two players, got the pass off to flanker Marjorie Mayans, and the recycle went to Drouin for the try to give France a 10-7 advantage. 

England returned to its attacking game in the second half, and Daley-Mclean worked her boot to stay in good territory. Penalties and turnovers extended England’s time on attack, and a driving maul off a 5-meter lineout allowed Amy Cokayne to score, giving her side a 14-10 lead with Daley-Mclean’s conversion. The flyhalf and Tremouliere traded penalties, and England led 17-13 with approximately 10 minutes to play.

France’s defense stood up and would not let England out of its end. Two tries were nearly grounded, and that home-field energy that Alphonsi referenced continued to grow. Finally, in the final two minutes of play, Tremouliere scored the game-winner in the corner.

Italy 22, Wales 15

The following morning, Italy and Wales faced each other in Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, and the visitors took a 7-0 lead when flanker Isabella Locatelli scored the first try, which outside center Michela Sillari converted.

FULL MATCH REPLAY

Wales responded nicely, getting on the board with a Robyn Wilkins penalty, and then No. 8 Sioned Harries and outside center Kerin Lake connected for a nice break into attacking territory. Flanker Alisa Butchers handled the final honors, crossing for the team’s first try and an 8-7 lead for Wales.

Wales had the opportunity to end the half with the momentum, but instead fullback Manuela Furlan snapped the defense and hit wing Maria Magatti back inside for the try as Italy pulled ahead 12-8. The Azzurre extended its lead to 17-8 nearly 10 minutes after the break, as inside center Beatrice Rigoni scored out wide.

Back-to-back yellow cards heaped additional pressure on Wales, but the home side impressively avoided another try against during this time. Instead, Wales closed the deficit after a powerful driving maul saw Harries into the try zone. Wilkins converted to cut Italy's lead to 17-15 with 10 minutes to play.

Italy kept Wales under pressure with a deft kicking game, and when Harries scooped up a Magatti grubber, she was isolated on her try line and forced to hold on as Italy swarmed. Wales’ third yellow card came at the worst time, and Italy made good use of the advantage with a final Sillari try.

The bonus-point win was Italy’s first of the tournament, and Scotland soon celebrated in similar fashion. 

Scotland 15, Ireland 12

In the final match of the weekend, Scotland held onto a three-point victory over Ireland in Donnybrook, and now every Women’s Six Nations team has at least one win this series.

The story of the first half was defense, and all that evolved points wise was a penalty from Scotland inside center Helen Nelson. But as halftime approached, Ireland seemed to be growing in confidence, building good attacking phases that just needed a finishing pass. 

FULL MATCH REPLAY

Scotland didn’t wait for Ireland to repair that last move and two minutes into the second half sent Nelson away for the game’s first try and an 8-0 lead. Ireland responded in turn, relying on a powerful scrum that eventually produced a penalty try. The set piece nearly set up a second try, as Scotland prop Megan Kennedy collapsed the scrum out of desperation. More advantageous penalties followed, but akin to the first half, Ireland wasn’t able to capitalize and still trailed 8-7.

Instead, Scotland fullback Chloe Rollie took matters into her own hands, literally, intercepting a pass for a quick return and nice step around Hannah Tyrrell for the try. Prop Lana Skeldon converted for the 15-7 lead.

The game was far from decided, and as the 10-minute mark approached, Ireland No. 8 Paula Fitzpatrick finished off a pick-and-go series with a determined dart across the line, cutting Scotland's advantage to 15-12.

Both sides had more scoring opportunities before the final whistle, but the score held. Scotland earned its first win of the tournament, and like the other two teams that lost this weekend, Ireland earned a bonus point in the defeat.

Round 5, which is streaming LIVE on FloRugby, will see England host Ireland and France travel to Wales on Friday, March 16, and Scotland travel to Italy on Sunday, March 18. If France wins on the road, then it will take the Grand Slam title.