A host of Vodacom United Rugby Championship stars took centre stage when Ireland further enhanced their number one status and Scotland stunned England in the opening round of the Guinness Six Nations.
The highly-anticipated Guinness Six Nations openers lived up to the billing as Ireland and Wales began the tournament in a 44-point thriller in Cardiff, where no less than 44 Vodacom URC players were involved.
Nine of Ireland’s starting lineup that claimed a 34-10 victory were drawn from current Vodacom URC league leaders Leinster, including captain Johnny Sexton, who kicked 12 points.
The 2022 World Rugby Player of the Year and Leinster flank Josh van der Flier scored the all-important bonus-point try for Ireland as the world’s number one side stamped their authority early on in the tournament.
Later on Saturday in London, a Scotland side chock full of Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors stars provided one for the books when they snatched a 29-23 victory against England.
It was South African-born Edinburgh winger Duhan van der Merwe who stole the show with a memorable brace to help Scotland secure their second successive win at Twickenham and just the 16th victory away in England.
Glasgow Warriors No 8 Matt Fagerson had a strong outing on defence, making no less than 26 tackles as Scotland repelled wave after wave of England attack, while captain Jamie Ritchie won the crucial turnover penalty in the dying moments of the game.
In the final match of the round in Rome, France were pushed to the brink to overcome a determined Italian outfit loaded with Vodacom URC players.
Coming into the match on the back of a 13-game winning run and boasting several Top 14 stars, Les Bleus were expected to stroll to an easy victory, but found things much more difficult against an Azzurri side powered by Benetton’s Vodacom URC forwards.
Benetton centre Juan Ignacio Brex made a strong impression in Italy’s midfield, making 90 metres from 14 carries and 10 passes, while his club teammates Federico Ruzza and Niccolo Cannone produced workmanlike performances in Italy’s second row, completing 28 tackles between them.
The second round of the Guinness Six Nations will see Ireland host France in Dublin in a match that could ultimately decide the title, while Italy will hope to provide an upset at Twickenham against England. And in between these two matches, Scotland take on Wales at Murrayfield in a Test that will feature plenty of familiar faces to fans of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship.
