Six Nations Digest

Other Six Nations news in brief

What they said

"We put in a solid performance against Italy and we played a lot of good rugby against France but we made too many errors and we got punished for these errors. The lads were frustrated after the game because it was a great opportunity to get a win in France and the lads are disappointed they couldn't make the most of it. But there is a great resolve in the squad and everyone wants to move on and learn from our mistakes"  - Ireland Under-20 coach Allen Clarke after watching his side beat England

"There was only one team playing rugby, and we had 70 per cent territory and possession in that second half."  - Wales' coach Warren Gatland on his team's second-half heroics against France at the Millennium stadium.

"When they (England) get the maul set up, it's very good and hard to bring down without giving away a penalty. We had to just keep hitting it. We broke it down eventually. It is hard to deal with; the try that they did get started from a maul. It's a hard thing to deal with."  - Ireland number eight Jamie Heaslip on the England maul.

"It was very tough. We knew going into it that they'd be a big pack, that they'd be looking to probably target us a little in the scrum. We'd be a little disappointed with it. We'll have to take a look at it. There are various issues we'll take a look at."  - Ireland hooker Rory Best talks about the scrums at Twickenham.

Poitrenaud happy with new 'tool'

France coach Marc Lievremont decided to employ a psychologist to work with his players ahead of the game against Wales at the Millennium Stadium in a bid to win a third game in a row, something his side had never achieved during the coach's reign to date.

It obviously had the desired effect although some of the French players looked like they needed a refresher briefing during a fraught second half.

French fullback Clement Poitrenaud admitted: "I didn't feel the need to meet a psychologist but I have to admit I found the experience enriching and interesting. It's a new tool that can only help us improve our performances."

Irish victory will not rest easy with Brookes

It would be interesting to note how Kieran Brookes felt in the wake of Ireland's brilliant 25-10 victory over England in the Under-20 international at Kingsholm last Friday night. The young Newcastle Falcons tighthead prop had played for Ireland last year at this level - and also previously the Under-19s - but switched his allegiances to England.

He came on as a 50th-minute replacement during the game at Gloucester.

He is considered a very talented player and Leinster looked at recruiting him for their academy but the offer of a full-time contract with the Falcons and the chance to work with legendary New Zealand tighthead and Newcastle captain Carl Hoeft persuaded him to head to the north of England.

Brookes is still in a position to play for either Ireland or England should he chose to do so because he hasn't yet played at full, A or Sevens level.

Swing Low, sweet Tommy Bowe, coming for to . . .

Immortalised in song and serenaded by supporters during the Lions tour, Ireland wing Tommy Bowe found himself the centre of musical celebration at Twickenham in the wake of his two-try contribution against England.

One particular group of green clad Irish fans decided it would be appropriate to borrow the air of Swing low, Sweet Chariot but change the words.

It won't be a Eurovision song contest entry but it provided huge enjoyment to Irish supporters as they sang lustily: Swing low, sweet Tommy Bowe, coming for to carry us home. Swing low, sweet Tommy Bowe, coming for to carry us home. I looked over Twickenham and what did I see, coming for to carry us home . . . well you get the gist of it.

London Irish's disappointing start to 2010 hasn't been helped by a succession of injuries. It got to the stage yesterday where Ryan Lamb had to switch to scrumhalf because Paul Hodgson had been on England duty as a replacement the previous day, Peter Richards and Alfredo

Lalanne were injured while their fourth choice was out on loan to London Welsh.

This latest setback doesn't take into account that they are also missing Clarke Dermody and Sailosi Tagicakibau.

D'Arcy maintains his proud record

Gordon D'Arcy maintained a proud record of never having lost against England, Saturday's victory at Twickenham ensuring that he had a blemish-free four wins from as many matches against the English. Shane Horgan had an even better win-loss ratio in this particular contest but his figures were ruined when Ireland lost at Twickenham in 2008.

Wilkinson takes his tally to 97

England outhalf Jonny Wilkinson's 11 points in Saturday's Six Nations clash took him to a tally of 97 in the nine matches he has played against Ireland. Ronan O'Gara's late appearance at Twickenham at the weekend was the 10th occasion he has faced the English, scoring 84 points.

The record number of appearances in this annual fixture belongs to Ireland's Mike Gibson, the centre playing on 15 successive occasions 1964-1978. Willie John McBride played 14 times, a figure matched by former England wing Rory Underwood.