Ireland at Murrayfield

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 Sean Lamont of Scotland and Luke Fitzgerald of Ireland collide in mid air trying to claim a high ball during the RBS Six Nations match between Scotland and Ireland at Murrayfield Stadium on February 24, 2013 in Edinburgh, Scotland.

(February 23, 2013 - Source: David Rogers/Getty Images Europe)

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Planet Rugby Match Report:

Scotland kept their Six Nations title hopes alive thanks to a hard fought 12-8 victory over Ireland at Murrayfield on Sunday.

It's the first time since 2001 that the Scots have won back-to-back Six Nations matches.

After trailing 8-0 early in the second half, the hosts put 12 unanswered points past their Celtic rivals thanks to the boot of scrum-half Greig Laidlaw that helped his team to an unlikely win and that effectively ends Ireland's Six Nations challenge.

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 Wing Craig Gilroy of Ireland barges over to score the opening try during the RBS Six Nations match between Scotland and Ireland at Murrayfield Stadium on February 24, 2013 in Edinburgh, Scotland.

(February 23, 2013 - Source: Stu Forster/Getty Images Europe)

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Man of the match: Scotland lock Jim Hamilton won the official gong, and his hard work at the set-piece was a real standout for the hosts. But we've opted for hero of the day Greig Laidlaw, who's four perfect kicks at goal handed Scotland victory.

Moment of the match: There weren't many. But those last few minutes that so nearly ended in heartbreak for the hosts was a real nail-biter.

Villain of the match: Ryan Grant's sin-binning didn't prove as costly as Paddy Jackson's three missed kicks at goal which ultimately cost his side dearly.

full match report here:

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Craig Gilroy of Ireland is tackled by Tim Visser and Johnnie Beattie of Scotland during the RBS Six Nations match between Scotland and Ireland at Murrayfield Stadium on February 24, 2013 in Edinburgh, Scotland.

(February 23, 2013 - Source: David Rogers/Getty Images Europe)

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 Craig Gilroy of Ireland is tackled by Tim Visser and Johnnie Beattie of Scotland during the RBS Six Nations match between Scotland and Ireland at Murrayfield Stadium on February 24, 2013 in Edinburgh, Scotland.

(February 23, 2013 - Source: David Rogers/Getty Images Europe)

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RBS 6 Nations Match Report:

Greig Laidlaw kicked all the points as Scotland staged a fine comeback to sink Ireland 12-8 and chalk up back-to-back RBS 6 Nations victories for the first time since 2001.

Trailing 8-0 just after the break and having been outclassed in the first 50 minutes, Scotland romped back and Laidlaw's clinical kicking edged out Ireland, who slipped to a second straight Championship loss.

In complete contrast to Laidlaw, Ireland fly-half Paddy Jackson enjoyed a difficult debut, missing three kicks at goal before he was replaced.

For Scotland, having defeated Italy in the previous match, their hopes of clinching the RBS 6 Nations title remain very much alive after a first Championship victory over Ireland at Murrayfield in 12 years.

Despite Jackson's inaccuracy from the tee, Ireland were very much in the ascendancy in the first half but for all their knocking on the Scotland door, they could only take a three-point lead in with them at the interval.

full match report here:

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 Sean O'Brien of Ireland breaks through the tackle from Jim Hamilton of Scotland during the RBS Six Nations match between Scotland and Ireland at Murrayfield Stadium on February 24, 2013 in Edinburgh, Scotland.

(February 23, 2013 - Source: David Rogers/Getty Images Europe)

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Sean O'Brien of Ireland breaks through the tackle from Jim Hamilton of Scotland during the RBS Six Nations match between Scotland and Ireland at Murrayfield Stadium on February 24, 2013 in Edinburgh, Scotland.

(February 23, 2013 - Source: David Rogers/Getty Images Europe)

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next test:

Scotland v Wales

Murrayfield - Edinburgh

9th March

Scotland v Wales Preview:

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Ireland v France

Aviva Stadium - Dublin

9th March

Ireland v France Preview:

****

SIX NATIONS 2013

		Pl	W	D	L	PF	PA	+/-	Pts
1	England	3	3	0	0	73	37	36	6
2	Wales	3	2	0	1	64	45	19	4
3	Scotland	3	2	0	1	64	56	8	4
4	Ireland	3	1	0	2	44	46	-2	2
5	Italy	3	1	0	2	42	78	-36	2
6	France	3	0	0	3	37	62	-25	0

Les Bleus @ Twickenham

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 Chris Robshaw of England is tackled by Francois Trinh-Duc of France during the RBS Six Nations match between England and France at Twickenham Stadium on February 23, 2013 in London, England.

(February 22, 2013 - Source: Tom Shaw/Getty Images Europe)

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England conquer the French

Planet Rugby Match Report:

England sidestepped their latest challenge on their way to a Grand Slam with a punishing 23-13 victory over France at Twickenham.

France were transformed from the sluggish side that were abysmal against Wales a fortnight ago - aggressive at the breakdown and benefiting from moving Wesley Fofana back into the centre after his ill-fated stint on the wing.

England were more clinical in the second-half and gained the lead thanks to a fortuitous try from Tuilagi, who enjoyed an excellent afternoon against his French counterpart Mathieu Bastareaud.

 Wesley Fofana of France breaks away from Chris Ashton and Ben Youngs of England to score a try during the RBS Six Nations match between England and France at Twickenham Stadium on February 23, 2013 in London, England.

(February 22, 2013 - Source: Clive Mason/Getty Images Europe)

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 Morgan Parra of France tackles Manu Tuilagi of England during the RBS Six Nations match between England and France at Twickenham Stadium on February 23, 2013 in London, England.

(February 22, 2013 - Source: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images Europe)

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A brutally physical clash worth of its affectionate title, saw frequent crunching tackles whilst the scrum was a contest initially dominated by France, before England gained parity as the match progressed.

It was far from the greatest performance under Stuart Lancaster, but a crucial result that leaves England with Italy and Wales in their path on the way to a first Grand Slam since 2003.

 Manu Tuilagi of England looks to offload the ball during the RBS Six Nations match between England and France at Twickenham Stadium on February 23, 2013 in London, England.

(February 22, 2013 - Source: Warren Little/Getty Images Europe)

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 Morgan Parra of France tackles Manu Tuilagi of England during the RBS Six Nations match between England and France at Twickenham Stadium on February 23, 2013 in London, England.

(February 22, 2013 - Source: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images Europe)

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Man of the Match: Despite the presence of Tuilagi, Tom Wood was outstanding for England from the base of the scrum.

Moment of the Match: With a lucky break needed, Manu Tuilagi could scarcely believe his luck as he picked up a loose ball and scored England's first try.

Villain of the Match: Not the greatest of substitute appearances for Frederic Michalak, whose little errors gave up key points in the second half.

Match Report

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 Yoann Huget of France and Alex Goode of England go up for a high ball during the RBS Six Nations match between England and France at Twickenham Stadium on February 23, 2013 in London, England.

(February 22, 2013 - Source: Tom Shaw/Getty Images Europe)

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 Wesley Fofana of France runs through to score a try during the RBS Six Nations match between England and France at Twickenham Stadium on February 23, 2013 in London, England.

(February 22, 2013 - Source: Clive Mason/Getty Images Europe)

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Tuilagi sinks France as England edge closer to Grand Slam

RBS 6 Nations Match Report:

Manu Tuilagi picked up from where he left off at Twickenham, scoring England's only try in their 23-13 victory over France to maintain his side's pursuit of a first RBS 6 Nations Grand Slam since 2003.

Tuilagi last played on home soil for England when he inspired the Red Rose's historic victory over New Zealand, and he was at it again against France, darting over in the corner for his side's crucial score.

France were much improved from their first two matches with half-back pairing Morgan Parra and Francois Trinh-Duc excelling in a frenetic opening half - lit up by Wesley Fofana's wonderful try.

But with Owen Farrell - and latterly Toby Flood - keeping the scoreboard ticking over, and Tuilagi pouncing after the break, England secured their third straight win of the 2013 RBS 6 Nations and a third straight Championship win over les Bleus.

Match Report:

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Ben Youngs of England kicks upfield during the RBS Six Nations match between England and France at Twickenham Stadium on February 23, 2013 in London, England.

(February 22, 2013 - Source: Clive Mason/Getty Images Europe)

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next test:

Ireland v France

Aviva Stadium - Dublin

9TH MARCH

Ireland v France preview:

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England v Italy

Twickenham - London

10th March

England v Italy preview:

****

Olympic Stadium, Rome

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 Edoardo Gori of Italy (L) in action during the RBS Six Nations match between Italy and Wales at Stadio Olimpico on February 23, 2013 in Rome, Italy.

(February 22, 2013 - Source: Claudio Villa/Getty Images Europe)

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Second-half tries from Jonathan Davies and Alex Cuthbert helped Wales to a 26-9 victory over Italy in the Six Nations in Rome.

Planet Rugby Match Report:

A severe downpour before kick-off hindered the handling ability of both sides through the first half, with Leigh Halfpenny adding three penalties for the visitors and Kristopher Burton responding with two for the hosts.

 Giovanmattista Venditti (C) of Italy is tackled by Leigh Halfpenny (L) of Wales during the RBS Six Nations match between Italy and Wales at Stadio Olimpico on February 23, 2013 in Rome, Italy.

(February 22, 2013 - Source: Paolo Bruno/Getty Images Europe)

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 Simone Favaro of Italy (C) is tackled by Leigh Halfpenny of Wales during the RBS Six Nations match between Italy and Wales at Stadio Olimpico on February 23, 2013 in Rome, Italy.

(February 22, 2013 - Source: Claudio Villa/Getty Images Europe)

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Wales though stepped up the intensity in the second half and were worthy winners as Italy struggled to find a breakthrough past the advancing Welsh defence, Burton twice settling for drop goal attempts that both sailed wide.

The result will further lift Welsh spirits with their second victory on the road in this year's championship, leaving them in contention for the title should other results go their way over the coming weeks.

Man of the Match: 16 tackles summed up the hard-work and commitment of Wales captainRyan Jones, whose rich vein of form continues.

Moment of the Match: A comical mix-up between the Italian half-backs allowed Jonathan Davies to simply pounce on the loose ball for the game's opening try.

Villain of the Match: The woes of the Italian scrum were summed up by Castrogiovanni'ssin-binning on a poor afternoon for Italy's stand-in captain.

Full Match Report Here:

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 George North (C) of Wales is tackled by Italy players during the RBS Six Nations match between Italy and Wales at Stadio Olimpico on February 23, 2013 in Rome, Italy.

(February 22, 2013 - Source: Paolo Bruno/Getty Images Europe)

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 George North (R) of Wales competes for the ball with Edoardo Gori of Italy during the RBS Six Nations match between Italy and Wales at Stadio Olimpico on February 23, 2013 in Rome, Italy.

(February 22, 2013 - Source: Paolo Bruno/Getty Images Europe)

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RBS 6 Nations match report:

Having ended a run of eight straight defeats against France last time out, Wales chalked up their second win of the competition with Leigh Halfpenny again excelling at full-back, notching 14 points.

Where the Welsh scrum came under pressure in Paris, it was rampant in Rome and that gave Wales the platform to set up the victory - Halfpenny taking advantage whenever the Azzurri were penalised at the set-piece.

Despite Wales' superiority in the first half, Italy were very much still in the game at 9-6 down at the break but Davies and Cuthbert both scored clinical efforts to wrap up victory as the Welsh road show now gears up for a trip to Scotland.

Full Match Report

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 Manoa Vosawai of Italy is tackled by Jamie Roberts of Wales #12 during the RBS Six Nations match between Italy and Wales at Stadio Olimpico on February 23, 2013 in Rome, Italy.

(February 22, 2013 - Source: Claudio Villa/Getty Images Europe)

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 Jonathan Davies (C) of Wales in action with Andrea Masi (L) of Italy during the RBS Six Nations match between Italy and Wales at Stadio Olimpico on February 23, 2013 in Rome, Italy.

(February 22, 2013 - Source: Paolo Bruno/Getty Images Europe)

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Francesco Minto of Italy (C) is tackled by Mike Phillips of Wales during the RBS Six Nations match between Italy and Wales at Stadio Olimpico on February 23, 2013 in Rome, Italy.

(February 22, 2013 - Source: Claudio Villa/Getty Images Europe)

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next test:

Scotland v Wales

Murrayfield Stadium - Edinburgh

9TH MARCH 

Scotland v Wales preview

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England v Italy

Twickenham - London

10th March 

England v Italy Preview

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mid-week break / Rugby in Art

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 " Victory "

Allan Storer

Originally selected by the Institute of Royal Oil Painters to hang in their annual exhibition in the Mall Galleries, London.

" Victory " was also one of two paintings by Al to be exhibited for five years in the World Rugby Stadium, Twickenham.

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'Rugby'

William Greengrass - 1933

Auckland Art Gallery

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England wins in Dublin

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England keep Grand Slam dream alive with win in Dublin

 Sean O'Brien of Ireland is tackled by Tom Youngs and Chris Robshaw of England during the RBS Six Nations match between Ireland and England at Aviva Stadium on February 10, 2013 in Dublin, Ireland.

(February 9, 2013 - Source: Alex Livesey/Getty Images Europe)

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RBS 6 Nations has a match report:

England withstood a second-half Irish onslaught to claim their first victory in Dublin in the RBS 6 Nations for a decade, eventually running out 12-6 winners in the tightest of contests.

Owen Farrell kicked four penalties to Ronan O'Gara's two as England edged the battle of the two remaining Grand Slam contenders in freezing conditions.

Leading 6-0 at the interval, England wavered in the first 20 minutes of the second period and when James Haskell was sent to the sin bin at 6-6 the smart money was on Ireland to complete an impressive comeback.

But the visitors gathered themselves and played the rest of the game in the Ireland half to ensure they returned home with their RBS 6 Nations dream alive.

Match Report:

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 England player Ben Youngs clears the ball during the RBS Six Nations match between Ireland and England at Aviva Stadium on February 10, 2013 in Dublin, Ireland.

(February 9, 2013 - Source: Stu Forster/Getty Images Europe)

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 Sean O'Brien of Ireland is tackled by Chris Robshaw and Dan Cole of England during the RBS Six Nations match between Ireland and England at Aviva Stadium on February 10, 2013 in Dublin, Ireland.

(February 9, 2013 - Source: Alex Livesey/Getty Images Europe)

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Dublin triumph for England

Planet Rugby has a match report:

England picked up an impressive 12-6 victory over Six Nations rivals Ireland on Sunday in an absorbing 80 minutes at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

Stuart Lancaster's outfit put in another mature effort that leaves them as the last remaining unbeaten side in the 2013 Championship.

No tries were scored in the spectacle but the English displayed an edge that denied Ireland, who had crossed for three tries against Wales, any real opportunity to get over the whitewash.

Owen Farrell kicked all of England's points, but it was their intelligence with and without the ball that ultimately won the game as Ireland struggled to get into the match, due in part to losing Simon Zebo and Jonathan Sexton to early injuries.

Man of the match: While the official award went to captain Chris Robshaw, who was superb as a leader, we believe that Ben Youngs had a slightly better shift in Dublin. He organised his pack well while his kicking for position was outstanding in difficult conditions. Rarely does Danny Care not make it onto the field but today Youngs was not to be disturbed.

Moment of the match: After Ronan O'Gara had kicked three points following England's James Haskell kicking the ball out from a ruck, the visitors showed real character to record their own points while the flank was in the sin-bin. In such spells wins are earned.

Villain of the match: There were two occasions when Cian Healy lost his cool and it is now expected that the Irish loosehead prop will face a trip to a hearing. The first indiscretion saw him stamp on Dan Cole's ankle before he led with the elbow in a ruck. Not good at all.

Match Report:

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Mike Ross of Ireland and Tom Wood of England grapple during the RBS Six Nations match between Ireland and England at Aviva Stadium on February 10, 2013 in Dublin, Ireland.

(February 9, 2013 - Source: David Rogers/Getty Images Europe)

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Ronan O'Gara of Ireland is wrapped up by Joe Marler of England during the RBS Six Nations match between Ireland and England at Aviva Stadium on February 10, 2013 in Dublin, Ireland.

(February 9, 2013 - Source: David Rogers/Getty Images Europe)

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next test:

England v France

Twickenham - London

Match Preview: England - France

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Scotland v Ireland

MURRAYFIELD - Edinburgh

Match Preview: Scotland - Ireland

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SIX NATIONS 2013

		Pl	W	D	L	PF	PA	+/-	Pts
1	England	2	2	0	0	50	24	26	4
2	Scotland	2	1	0	1	52	48	4	2
3	Wales	2	1	0	1	38	36	2	2
3	Ireland	2	1	0	1	36	34	2	2
5	Italy	2	1	0	1	33	52	-19	2
6	France	2	0	0	2	24	39	-15	0