Gerry Thornley’s Six Nations midterm report: Ireland excellent, Wales uninspired

Ange Capuozzo of Italy is tackled by Lewis Ludlam. Photograph: Catherine Ivill/GettyShot themselves in the foot against France with poor exits and errors, leaving them with a proverbial mountain to climb, but they nearly scaled it. Difficulties in covering the backfield and defensive maul were exposed in Twickenham. But where before Italians teams might have been put to the sword, they again rallied to come within two scores entering the last quarter.Ange Capuozzo.

He lit the blue touch paper in both second halves for the Azzurri. He seems to float on air, has a wicked step, witness standing up Alldritt for that try, and times his late runs on to the ball that he is fiendishly difficult to read.

Not for the first time, England in Cardiff looks like their chance to salvage something meaningful. Otherwise, they’ll head to a more inventive and spirited Italy with a big wooden spoon target on their backs, and a potentially grim last day visit to Paris.

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