Five moments that defined the Six Nations championship

From Ireland’s lineout woes in Paris to subtle help for match-winning Ange Capuozzo

Luke Cowan-Dickie commits a deliberate knock on leading to a yellow card and a penalty try for Scotland. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho
Luke Cowan-Dickie commits a deliberate knock on leading to a yellow card and a penalty try for Scotland. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho

Cowan-Dickie flap, Scotland vs England, round one

The defining moment of a round-one loss that had England on the back foot for the rest of the championship. Luke Cowan-Dicke apologised after the match for deliberately batting the ball into touch and denying Darcy Graham a chance to gather and score, but nonetheless his yellow card and the penalty try he conceded handed Scotland a lifeline in a match they were losing at the time. Six minutes later, 14-man England conceded the match-winning penalty.

Lineout malfunctions, France vs Ireland, round two

Francois Cros beats Iain Henderson to a critical lineout in France’s 22. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho
Francois Cros beats Iain Henderson to a critical lineout in France’s 22. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho

A critical momentum killer. Tadhg Beirne of all people had just executed a ridiculous left-footed 50:22 in the 67th minute. Trailing by six points, Ireland had a much-needed lineout 10m from the French line. The opportunity didn't last long. Francois Cros beat Iain Henderson to the throw and France cleared. It was perhaps a far-reaching moment, given Ireland's decision to go for the points instead of opting for another lineout in the corner in the 73rd minute.

Ewels red, England vs Ireland, round four

Charlie Ewels is shown a red card by Mathieu Raynal less than two minutes in to Ireland’s clash with England at Twickenham. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho
Charlie Ewels is shown a red card by Mathieu Raynal less than two minutes in to Ireland’s clash with England at Twickenham. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho

The fact that the Twickenham crowd booed the decision to send off Charlie Ewels against Ireland is one thing. The fact that the RFU has since reportedly backed the idea of reducing red card punishments to a replacement after 20 minutes is altogether more worrying. If a major national union can be swayed to support a rule that removes the incentive to tackle lower by its own team losing a game when down to 14, then the sport is in a bad place.

Historic Capuozzo, Wales vs Italy, round five

Ange Capuozzo steps around Kieran Hardy on his way to setting up Italy’s match-winning try. Photograph: Andy Watts/Inpho
Ange Capuozzo steps around Kieran Hardy on his way to setting up Italy’s match-winning try. Photograph: Andy Watts/Inpho

A series of moments that combined to create the most memorable passage of the tournament. Ange Capuozzo's step that made Kieran Hardy look rather foolish has earned deserving headlines, but it was subtle blocking lines from Michele Lamaro and Filippo Alongi on Taulupe Faletau and Adam Beard respectively – not to mention Josh Adams's missed tackle – that opened up the space for the break in the first place. A match-winning display of the dark arts.

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Ruthless Alldritt, France vs England, round five

Gregory Alldritt’s offload set up Antoine Dupont for the match-securing score against France. Photograph:  Loic Baratoux/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Gregory Alldritt’s offload set up Antoine Dupont for the match-securing score against France. Photograph: Loic Baratoux/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

We have seen Gregory Allldritt do this so many times, but none the more important than on Saturday night. Ellis Genge was slow to set as the pillar defender at a ruck in the 61st minute, and Alldritt pounced. He is hard enough to stop without giving him space, but a sharp carry through a disorganised line made it too easy to free his arms and offload to the onrushing Antoine Dupont for France's third try. Their lead was only five points at the time and England had secured the last score. Alldritt's was a Grand Slam-securing contribution.