Round three of the 2023 Guinness Six Nations brought another set of amazing tries, to an already thrilling competition. The match of the weekend was undoubtedly the drama-filled Parisian clash between France and Scotland.
However, a resiliant Italy brought the best out of Ireland, and England battled Wales in a gruelling sparring match. Here are the top five tries of the weekend, with scores from every match standing out in Round Three.
- Hugo Keenan vs Italy
Starting the move off with a lineout on the half way, Ireland moved the ball expertly well to execute this try. The rolling maul was halted, with Van Der Flier shipping it off to Craig Casey at the back of the pack. The scrum half then found Ross Byrne, who played the pass inside to Mack Hansen, who played Bundee Aki on an explosive break.
The centre was eventually halted by three blue shirts, but was able to offload the ball to Hugo Keenan. The fullback then pirouetted out of Poalo Garbisi’s last-ditch tackle, and outpaced Ange Capuozzo, to cap off a memorable try under the posts.
2. Huw Jones (1st Try) vs France
An honourable mention to Sione Tuipulotu for the assist to Huw Jones’ 2nd try, yet the centre’s first score came at a more crucial moment of the match. Scotland faced a 19-0 deficit, and the remainder of the match could have seen France steamroll through, if Scotland had given up on the fight. However, Jones’ try after 25 minutes inspired the Scottish fight back, for a competitive end to the fixture in Paris.
After a point-perfect 50:22 from Russell, Scotland tried to drive over through a rolling maul. France were able to halt the initial drive, yet had overcommitted their defenders to stopping the pack. Space opened up in the defensive line, and Ben White opted for quick ball, finding Russell, who sent Huw Jones cascading through a gap and in to score.
3. Anthony Watson England vs Wales
Returning to the England starting XV for the first time in two years, Anthony Watson marked the occasion with a well taken try. By no means a walk-in finish, Watson had plenty to do on his way through to the corner, and a dramatic diving finish sealed an impressive score.
After a breakaway caught the Welsh defenders back-peddling, Jack van Poortvliet reacted first, and shipped the ball to Owen Farrell. He then found Alex Dombrandt, and the number eight decided against a heavy carry into contact, and instead played an excellent miss-pass to Watson out wide. Leigh Halfpenny tried to bat Watson’s legs into touch, yet the Leicester winger was able to dive across to score .
4. Louis Rees-Zammitt vs England
A breath-taking try against the run of play, Wales winger Louis Rees-Zammit marked his return to the international stage with a statement of intent. Just 44 seconds after the second half whistle, Rees-Zammit was wheeling away to the roar of the Principality Stadium.
Reading England’s attack expertly well, the 22-year-old was ready and waiting to intercept the pass from Max Malins. From a standing start ‘Rees-Lightning’, then darted out of the gates, and with such explosive acceleration, the Gloucester winger was away to score before the England players had realised what had happened.
5. Ethan Dumortier vs Scotland
France’s second try in quick succession, as Ethan Dumortier followed up on Romain Ntamack’s opening score. France took full advantage of the short-lived extra man, as Scottish lock Grant Gilchrist was sent off after just six minutes. Antoine Dupont orchestrated an immediate attack, and was a key pivot in Dumortier’s try. The winger scored his second try of the competition, and for a short while led the rankings, before Huw Jones took his tournament tally to three.
Dupont recovered the ball at the back of a ruck, and fired a looping miss-pace to centre field, finding Charles Ollivon. The flanker then popped the ball left again to Gael Fickou, with the veteran centre controlling the tempo of the attack. Fickou brought the ball to the line, then played it wide to Romain Ntamack, and finally to Dumortier, who dove under the drifiting tackle attempt of Finn Russell to score.