International Rugby Review:Ireland will remain seventh in the IRB world rankings after Scotland failed to get a result against South Africa in Edinburgh this afternoon. The homeside would have relegated Declan Kidney's side to eighth had they beaten their guests but the Springboks won 21-10 at Murrayfield.
Ireland moved up one place to seventh last night when Samoa won 26-19 in Cardiff to push the Welsh back to eighth from sixth. Scotland were the only team that could reverse Ireland’s progress today, but it wasn’t to be as South Africa followed up their 16-12 win at the Aviva Stadium last week with a slightly improved performance today.
Scotland waited 50 minutes to find their attacking game but a bout of sustained pressure could not overturn an Adrian Strauss double.
The Scots could not cope with the physical approach of their opponents in the first half and Strauss went over after a maul as the Springboks took a 14-3 lead into the break.
The hooker intercepted Mike Blair’s to extend the lead early in the second half but a Henry Pyrgos try lifted Scotland, who missed a series of chances to add to their tally.
"We've got a lot to learn," Scotland coach Andy Robinsonsaid on BBC1. "A lot to learn in improving defence and also in attack, particularly physically. I felt they bullied us a little in the first half."
Robinson now wants to see a reaction to the result, and last week’s more punishing loss to New Zealand.
“Next week against Tonga we need a performance there to put together the lessons they’ve learned from the first two games. There’s a lot for us to look at. The disappointing thing from our side is we allowed a side to get a lead again and that’s something you can’t afford to do.”
Two tries from Vincent Clerc in the space of four minutes in the first half helped put Franceon the road to a 39-22 victory over Argentinain Lille.
The little left winger in the 17th and 21st minute to wipe out Marcelo Bosch’s opening try for Argentina after just four minutes. It brings his international tally to 34 tries and in to second place behind the great Serge Blanco.
France led 24-13 at the break and pushed out their advantage in the second half as outhalf Frederic Michalak made Argentina pay for some poor discipline by landing four penalties and a drop goal for a personal tally of 21 points.
Ahead of next Saturday's game against Ireland, Argentina also suffered another blow when winger Horacio Agulla left the pitch on a stretcher after suffering a neck injury when attempting a tackle.
Argentina have already lost centre and former Leinster star Felipe Contepomi after he was injured in the victory over Wales last weekend.
Outhalf Nicolas Sanchez was in form for the Pumas, landing five kicks from placed ball and adding a drop goal for a haul of 17 points.
Australiashowed their true colours a week after being humiliated by France in Paris by earning a deserved 20-14 victory over Englandat Twickenham.
England led 9-6 with three Toby Flood penalties after 35 minutes but Nick Cummings then scored the opening try for Australia, only for Manu Tuilagi to reply to give the hosts a fortunate 14-11 halftime lead.
Australia, hammered 33-6 last Saturday when their scrum was obliterated, came out fired up for the second half and with some clever chipped kicks and strong scrummaging allowed Barnes to land three penalties.
England, looking for a third successive victory over the Wallabies, piled on the pressure in the last 20 minutes but paid a heavy price for trying to run kickable penalties as great Australian defending kept them at bay.
"We were not clinical enough," England captain Chris Robshawtold Sky Sports 1. "All credit goes to them. They came here and did a job. We need to go away and look at where we lost points."
Australia captain Nathan Sharpesaid: "We spoke about character and resolve this week and I thought the effort was outstanding."
Australia’s scrum had been put under the microscope in the lead-up to the match and Sharpe added: “Our scrum was outstanding.”
England coach Stuart Lancastersaid his side did not underestimate the Australian scrum.
“Disappointed with the scrum, particularly with the penalty count,” he said. “But overall we have to make sure we manage it on the day.”
He added: “We put alot of pressure on them and we didn’t come away with points when we needed to. We have got to take those points when we are in the red zone.”
New Zealandwere made to work hard in Rome before completing an ultimately comfortable win over Italyat the Stadio Olimpico. The All Blacks led only 13-7 at half-time, with Kieran Read's try drawing an Italian response through Alberto Sgarbi.
Second-half tries by Ma’a Nonu, Cory Jane and two for Julian Savea gave the 42-10 scoreline a lop-sided look as Italy’s resistance dissipated in the final quarter.
