England continues to impress while Wales does just enough in Rome to set up a potential title showdown at the Principality. Ireland took advantage of Scotland’s errors as well. Here are the details of Matchday 2 in the Six Nations:

England 44-8 France:

England are quickly showing their Grand Slam credentials with an emphatic 44-8 win over France at Twickenham. Johnny May got a hat trick of tries in the first half to effectively put the match away. It sets up a potential title decider against Wales at the Principality on February 23rd. 

England’s two matches after that are at Twickenham against Italy and Scotland. Italy have never won at Twickenham and Scotland last won there in 1983. 

For France, it’s an agonizing eighth loss out of nine against England and the two sides are to meet again at the World Cup in Japan at the Pool Stage later this year. They are stuck on fifth with just one point and a home date against Scotland coming up. 

Italy 15-26 Wales:

The Welsh made ten changes to the lineup that came from behind against France and never really got out of second gear at the Olympic Stadium in Rome—not that they necessarily had to. Indeed, Wales coach Warren Gatland are hoping his team can go “under the radar” against a rampant England side. 

They certainly cannot get off to a slow start like they did in their first two matches, especially considering that England have gotten off to a flyer in their last two and eventually dominated both matches against Ireland and France. 

It should also be pointed out that if Wales do win, but allow England to get more bonus points, they could still lose the Six Nations if England get bonus point wins over Italy and Scotland and Wales fail to do the exact same against Ireland and Scotland. 

As for Italy, they continue to show that if you are not careful, they can beat you on their day as they nearly snatched a bonus point for the second match running. 

Scotland 13-22 Ireland:

Ireland overcame their heavy defeat to England with a win at Murrayfield as Scotland could not convert early pressure into points and errors eventually became Irish points. The consensus is that Scotland are improving, but are not at the point yet where they can contend for the Six Nations. 

For Ireland, it was a much-needed victory to regain some confidence for the World Cup if not repeating as Six Nations Champions as they need help and not just from Wales. Scotland go to the Stade de France on the 23rd while Ireland go to Rome on the 24th. 

Matchday Three (February 23-24):

Feb 23:  France vs. Scotland, 8:15am CT (on NBCSN at 11:30am CT)

Feb 23:  Wales vs. England, 10:45am CT (on NBCSN at 1:30pm CT)

Feb 24:  Italy vs. Ireland, 9am CT (on NBCSN TBA)

All matches live on the NBC Sports Gold app.