Ireland put Italy to the sword in Rome and, due to those sweet, sweet bonus points, are now second in the Six Nations table.
Episode 2 of The Hard Yards, our new, weekly rugby podcast, sees host Andy McGeady joined by former Ireland internationals Donncha O’Callaghan and Kevin McLaughlin, and SportsJOE rugby correspondent Pat McCarry to discuss the weekend’s action.
McLaughlin highlights the crucial positioning play that earned CJ Stander his first try in the 63-10 victory over Italy while he agrees with O’Callaghan’s alternative man-of-the-match proposal – Jamie Heaslip. The former Munster lock says:
“Heaslip was immense. He was a forwards captain yesterday. I loved how he backed his front five and, more so, his front row early in the game by going for scrums rather than kick for points. As a front five forward, you really grow from that.”
We discuss Scotland’s return to [losing] form and marvel at the sheer intensity and pace of England’s 21-16 stunner against a heartbroken Wales.
Hayley O’Connor of Ladbrokes gives us the latest top try-scorer odds and reveals how Stuart Hogg is costing the bookies an awful lot of money.
