RUGBY UNION - 5 / 6 NATIONS
2000 to 2009
2000
6 Nations - Scotland (20) @ (34) Italy - In their 1st 6 Nations game, Italy shocked the previous year's winners in the Stadio Flaminio in Rome. The star was Diego Dominguez who kicked 6 penalties and 3 drop goals and the Italians capped the game off with their only try from Giampiero De Carli. Italy were the more physical in the forwards while the Scots paid for their ill-discipline. On the same disc as the 2000 Ireland/France and 2003 Italy/England games (9, 27 minute hi-lites, 1 Disc, BBC - Smith/G.Hastings, PAL)
6 Nations - Ireland (18) @ (50) England - In their 1st ever 6 Nations game, England dominated the Irish and recorded their highest ever score against them. England led 25-3 at the half and coasted home in the 2nd half. England ran in 6 tries with Ben Cohen (2), Mike Tindall, Austin Healey (2) and Neil Back getting on the scoresheet and Jonny Wilkinson added 20 points through the kicking game. Cohen and Tindall were both making their debuts. Ireland featured Brian O'Driscoll who was playing his 1st ever 6 Nations match. Coverage is a FOX US broadcast with SKY game coverage (8, 1 Disc, SKY - Harrison/Barnes, NTSC)
2001
6 Nations - Italy (23) @ (80) England - England turned in their highest ever 5/6 Nations score with a big 2nd half over a strong Italian team. In a shootout in the 1st half, England led 33-23 at the break as Italy matched England score-for-score. But the 2nd half belonged to the home side as they scored 47 unanswered points. The England tries came from Iain Balshaw (2), Austin Healey (2), Ben Cohen, Lawrence Dallaglio, Will Greenwood, Mark Regan, Johnny Wilkinson and Joe Worsley. Wilkinson also kicked 4 penalties and 9 conversions. The Italian tries came from Carlo Checchinato and Denis Dallan with Andrea Scanavacca kicking 3 penalties. Jason Robinson came on as a 2nd half substitute for England for his 1st cap (8, Copied from Internet stream, SKY - Harrison/Barnes, PAL)
6 Nations - England (14) @ (20) Ireland - An inspired Ireland team denied an unbeaten England team the Grand Slam, beating the English for the 1st time since 1994. Ireland capitalised on England mistakes to lead 11-6 at the half then dominated England in the 2nd half to close the game out despite a late try from England. The Irish try came from captain Keith Wood with David Humphreys and substitute Ronan O'Gara combining for 5 penalties. The England try came from substitute Austin Healey and Johnny Wilkinson kicked 3 penalties. Ireland also featured Brian O'Driscoll, Peter Stringer and David Wallace. England also featured captain Matt Dawson, Will Greenwood, Jason Leonard, Richard Hill and Neil Back but were missing Martin Johnson and Lawrence Dallaglio to injury (8, Copied from Internet stream, BBC - McLaren/Moore, PAL)
2003
6 Nations - France (17) @ (25) England - England opened their campaign with a big win over the French at Twickenham. Jonny Wilkinson had a big game, scoring 20 points with his boot, and Jason Robinson scored the only English try. England led 12-7 at the break and never looked in trouble in the 2nd half despite 2 late French tries from Clement Poitrenaud and Damien Traille. England were led by Martin Johnson and also featured Dan Luger, Will Greenwood, Charlie Hodgson and Andy Gomarsall. France also featured Vincent Clerc and Fabian Galthie (10, ESPN Classic re-broadcast - 50 minutes hi-lites, BBC - Butler/Moore, PAL)
6 Nations - England (26) @ (9) Wales - England overcame a lack-lustre 1st half to score 17 points in the 2nd half and stay unbeaten in the Championship. Jonny Wilkinson led the way with 14 points and 2nd half tries from Will Greenwood and Joe Worsley finally ended the Welsh challenge. Wales were led by 9 points from Ceri Sweeney (on debut). Wales also featured Gareth Thomas, Tom Shaklin and Martyn Williams (10, ESPN Classic re-broadcast - 50 minutes hi-lites, BBC - Butler/Moore, PAL)
6 Nations - Italy (5) @ (40) England - England kept unbeaten in the Championship with a big win against the Italians. England started fast and scored 33 unanswered points in the opening 20 minutes before taking their foot off the gas and allowing Italy to control the game. Italy did score with 20 minutes left in the game but England comfortably held on for the win. The England tries came from Josh Lewsey (2), Steve Thompson, James Simpson-Daniel, Mike Tindall and Dan Luger. The Italian try came from Mirco Bergamasco, his 1st for his country (9, 2015 BBC re-broadcast - 36 minute hi-lites, 1 Disc, BBC - Mullins/Moore, PAL)
6 Nations - Scotland (9) @ (40) England - England dispatched the "Auld Enemy" at Twickenham with a big win to stay unbeaten. England led 13-9 at the half and dominated the 2nd half to take the win. Jonny Wilkinson scored 18 points with his boot and England added tries from Josh Lewsey, Ben Cohen and Jason Robinson (2). The Scotland points all came from the boot of Chris Paterson. Scotland also featured Kenny Logan, Gregor Townsend, Bryan Redpath and Nathan Hines (10, ESPN Classic re-broadcast - 50 minutes hi-lites, BBC - Butler/Moore, PAL)
6 Nations - England (42) @ (6) Ireland - Unbeaten England travelled to unbeaten Ireland for the title decider and after a tight 1st half, England scored 29 unanswered points to blow open the game. Jonny Wilkinson scored 15 points and England added tries from Lawrence Dallaglio, Mike Tindall, Dan Luger and Will Greenwood (2) (9, 2 Discs, BBC - Butler/Moore, PAL)
2004
6 Nations - Ireland (19) @ (13) England - In a big upset, Ireland handed England their 1st loss of the tournament and also ended England's 22 game home win streak. It was England's 1st competitive game at Twickenham since winning the World Cup. Ireland used great Defense and an opportunistic kicking game to take a 12-10 lead in at the half and despite a strong finish to the game for the English, the Irish held on for the win. The Irish try game from Girvan Dempsey and Ronan O'Gara added 14 points with the boot. The England try came from Matt Dawson and Paul Grayson added 2 penalties (9, 2 Discs, BBC - Butler/Moore, PAL)
2005
6 Nations - England (9) @ (11) Wales - Wales opened their campaign with a big win at the Millennium Stadium, their 1st over England in Cardiff for 12 years. Wales had the better of the 1st half and led 8-3 at the break, but when England went ahead 9-8 with 10 minutes to go, a Wales win seemed a long shot. But Gavin Henson kicked a difficult 48 metre penalty from the touchline with 3 minutes to go and Wales held on for the win. The Wales try came from Shane Williams while all the England points came from the boot of Charlie Hodgson (9, 2 Discs, BBC - Butler/Moore, PAL)
6 Nations - France (18) @ (17) England - France handed England their 8th defeat in the last 11 tests as they over-turned a 17-6 half-time deficit to win. The hero for France was scrum-half Dimitri Yachvili who kicked all of France's points with 6 penalties. Conversley, England's kicking duo of Charlie Hodgson and Olly Barkley missed 6 penalties and Hodgson also missed a last minute drop goal that would have won the game. The England tries came from Olly Barkley and Josh Lewsey. The victory for France was their 1st at Twickenham since 1997 (9, 2 Discs, BBC - Butler/Moore, PAL)
6 Nations - Wales (24) @ (18) France - Wales kept their Grand Slam hopes alive with a sensational comeback win in Paris. France dominated the 1st half with great attacking rugby and led 15-6 at the break. But Wales fought back in the 2nd half and reeled off 2 quick tries to take the lead that they defended to the end, despite a strong French fight-back. The Wales tries came from Martyn Williams (2) with Stephen Jones kicking 3 penalties. The French tries came from Dimitri Yachvili and Aurelien Rougerie (9, 2 Discs, BBC - Mullins/Matthews, PAL)
6 Nations - England (13) @ (19) Ireland - England continued their losing streak with a tight loss in Dublin. Both sides were even, with Ireland holding a 12-10 lead at the half, but once Ireland took the lead on the hour with a well worked try, England failed to close the gap and Ireland took the win. The try scorer for Ireland was Brian O'Driscoll with Ronan O'Gara kicking 14 points. The England try scorer was Martin Corry with Charlie Hodgson kicking 2 penalties. England were led by captain Jason Robinson (9, 2 Discs, BBC - Butler/Moore, PAL)
6 Nations - Wales (46) @ (22) Scotland - Wales kept their unbeaten run going with a record win at Murrayfield. Wales dominated the 1st half and led 38-3 at the break, and despite Scotland out-scoring the Welsh 19-8 in the 2nd half, the Welsh held on for the big win. The Welsh tries came from Ryan Jones, Rhys Williams (2), Shane Williams and Kevin Morgan. The Scotland tries came from Andy Craig, Rory Lamont and Chris Paterson (9, 2 Discs, BBC - Cotter/Davies, PAL)
6 Nations - Scotland (22) @ (43) England - England ended the tournament on the right note with a big win at Twickenham. England had the better of the 1st half and led 26-10 at the break, but victory wasn't secured until they scored 2 late tries. Both teams combined for 10 tries. The England tries came from Jamie Noon (3), Joe Worsely, Josh Lewsey, Harry Ellis and Mark Cueto. The Scotland tries came from Sean Lamont, Andy Craig and Simon Taylor (8, missing 1st 3 minutes but no scoring, 2 Discs, BBC - Cotter/Nichol, PAL)
6 Nations - Ireland (20) @ (32) Wales - On a historic day in Cardiff, Wales won their 1st Grand Slam since 1978, holding off a 2nd half Irish fight-back to win the title. Wales had finished winless in the tournament 2 years prior but coach Mike Ruddock turned the team around. Wales held a 16-6 lead at the half and a 29-6 lead with 14 minutes left, but Ireland scored 2 late tries to put the pressure on. Wales held their nerve with good Defense and took the win. The Welsh tries came from Gethin Jenkins and Kevin Morgan with Stephen Jones kicking 4 penalties and Gavin Henson adding a drop goal and a penalty. The Irish tries came from Marcus Horan and Geordan Murphy ( 2versions : 9, Full-Game, 3 Discs, BBC - Butler/Moore, PAL / 9, 25 minute hi-lites on the same disc as the 2007 Wales/Italy and 2011 France/Italy games, 1 Disc, BBC - Butler/Moore, PAL)
2006
6 Nations - Wales (13) @ (47) England - England opened their campaign with a big win at Twickenham, avenging their loss to the Welsh in 2005. Wales were missing several starters to injury or suspension but were still in touch at the half, only training 15-10. But England out-scored the Welsh 32-3 in the 2nd half to coast home to the win. The England tries came from Mark Cueto, Lewis Moody, Mike Tindall, Lawrence Dallaglio, Matt Dawson and Tom Voyce with Charlie Hodgson kicking 3 penalties. The Wales try came from Martyn Williams (9, 2 Discs, BBC - Butler/Moore, PAL)
6 Nations - Ireland (31) @ (43) France - In a shootout at the Stade de France, France used a strong opening 50 minutes to build a big lead then held off a spirited Irish fight-back in the last 30 minutes to take the win. France were clinical, converting all their chances when they arrived and went in at the half with a 29-3 lead. 2 further tries after the break gave them a 43-3 lead but, after a succession of substitutions, the French lost focus and the Irish stormed back, scoring 4 unanswered tries. The comeback was too little too late, though, and the French held on to win. The French tries came from Aurelien Rougerie, Olivier Magne, David Marty (2) and Cedric Heymans (2). The Irish tries came from Ronan O'Gara, Gordon D'Arcy, Donncha O'Callaghan and Andrew Trimble (9, 2 Discs, BBC - Cotter/Matthews, PAL)
2007
6 Nations - England (13) @ (43) Ireland - In an emotionally charged game at Croke Park, the English suffered their worst ever defeat to the Irish and their worst ever defeat in the 6 nations. Ireland scored 4 tries to England's 1 and Ronan O'Gara contributed 5 penalties to humble the English. The Irish tries came from Girvan Dempsey, David Wallace, Shane Horgan and Isaac Boss. England's lone try came from David Strettle, making his debut (10, 2 Discs, BBC - Butler/Moore, PAL)
6 Nations - Wales (20) @ (23) Italy - Italy won back-to-back games in the 6 nations for the 1st time ever with a 77th minute try from Mauro Bergamasco. Wales had a chance to tie the game with a last-kick penalty but decided to kick for the corner and go for a try to win the game. The referee indicated that there was enough time for this but as the kick was booted into touch, the referee controversially changed his mind and finished the game. The other Italian try came from Kaine Robertson with Ramiro Pez adding 3 penalties. The Welsh tries came from Shane Williams and Matthew Rees with James Hook adding 2 penalties (2 versions : 10, Full Game, 2 Discs, BBC - Mullins/Davies, PAL / 9, 15 minute hi-lites on the same disc as the 2005 Ireland/Wales and 2011 France/Italy games, 1 Disc, BBC - Mullins/Davies, PAL)
6 Nations - France (18) @ (26) England - England upset the unbeaten French with a strong 2nd half of attacking rugby that denied the French the championship. France held a 12-9 lead at the half, but England scored 2 tries in the 2nd half to only 2 penalties for France and England claimed the win. The England tries came from Toby Flood and Mike Tindall with Shane Geraghty, on debut, setting up the clinching try with a sensational 30 metre run through the tiring French (10, 2 Discs, BBC - Butler/Moore, PAL)
2008
6 Nations - Wales (26) @ (19) England - In their opening game of the tournament, the Welsh opened their account with a shock win at Twickenham, their first since 1988. England dominated the 1st half, building a 16-6 half-time lead. But the Welsh stormed back with 2 tries to steal the game. England debuted Lesley Vainikolo, who set up Toby Flood for England's try, and also featured Jonny Wilkinson (14 pts). The Welsh were led by Ryan Jones and the tries were scored by Lee Byrne and Mike Phillips (10, 2 Discs, BBC - Butler/Moore, PAL)
6 Nations - Ireland (21) @ (26) France - Ireland rallied from a 26-6 deficit to within 1 try of winning but a final play was stopped at the try-line and the French held on to win. France wing Vincent Clerc scored 3 first half tries (10, 2 Discs, BBC - Mullins/Matthews, PAL)
6 Nations - England (24) @ (13) France - England scored a huge upset aginst the title favourites, finally putting together a strong 2nd half to win the game. English tries came from Paul Sackey and Richard Wigglesworth, on his debut. The win was the first for England against France in Paris, in the 6 nations, since 2000 (10, 2 Discs, BBC - Butler/Moore, PAL)
6 Nations - Scotland (20) @ (23) Italy - In the battle for the wooden spoon, it was Italy that won the battle but Scotland that won the war. Italy won the game on a last minute drop goal from Andrea Marcato but still finished bottom on points difference (10, 2 Discs, BBC - Cotter/Nichol, PAL)
6 Nations - Ireland (10) @ (33) England - England fought back from an early 10-0 deficit to beat Ireland and finish 2nd in the final tournament standings. Danny Cipriani made his 1st start for England in place of Jonny Wilkinson and kicked 18 points. The England tries came from Paul Sackey, Matthew Tait and Jamie Noon (10, 2 Discs, BBC - Mullins/Matthews, PAL)
6 Nations - France (12) @ (29) Wales - Wales clinched their 2nd Grand Slam in 4 years with a dominating game against the French. After a low scoring 1st half, Wales exploded for 20 points with tries from Shane Williams and Martin Williams (10, 2 Discs, BBC - Butler/Moore, PAL)
2009
6 Nations - Italy (11) @ (36) England - In the opening game of the campaign, England capitalised on a series of 1st half errors by Italy's new stand in scrum half, Mauro Bergamasco, to build a big lead and then strolled home for the win. England scored in the 2nd minute through Andy Goode, his 1st international try, and went in at the break in front 22-6. The 2nd half saw tries from Harry Ellis and Mark Cueto (10, 2 Discs, BBC - Mullins/Moore, PAL)
6 Nations - France (21) @ (30) Ireland - In a back-and-forth game, Ireland finally beat the French for the first time in 8 games with a late try from Gordon D'Arcy and an even later penalty from Ronan O'Gara. After a slow start, the Irish led 13-10 at the break and then extended their lead with a fantastic try from Brian O'Driscoll before the French started their comeback. But the Irish used the late scores to win the game and open their campaign with a victory (10, 2 Discs, BBC - Butler/Matthews, PAL)
6 Nations - England (15) @ (23) Wales - Wales extended their unbeaten run in the 6 nations with a hard-fought win over the English. Wales broke open a tight 9-8 lead at the half with a Stephen Jones penalty, 1 of his 5 of the day, and a try from Leigh Halfpenny. But England roared back to within a score with a first international try for Delon Armitage. But Wales moved out again to a 2 score lead and held on for the win. Man-of-the-match was Joe Worsley for England (10, 2 Discs, BBC - Butler/Moore, PAL)
6 Nations - Wales (16) @ (21) France - In the first ever Friday Night 6 Nations match, France out-lasted the unbeaten Welsh and ended their Grand Slam hopes. At the break, the teams were tied 13-13 but it was France that took the initiative in the 2nd half, scoring a try through Cedric Heymans and a penalty from Morgan Parra. Even though James Hook kicked a penalty to bring the Welsh within a score, France survived a last gasp attack to win the game. The loss ended Wales 8 game unbeaten streak in the 6 Nations (10, 2 Discs, BBC - Mullins/Davies, PAL)
6 Nations - England (13) @ (14) Ireland - In a dull game full of mistakes, Ireland found just enough class to win the game, stay unbeaten and keep on course for a Grand Slam. The star for Ireland was captain Brian O'Driscoll who, at a crucial time in the game, kicked a Drop Goal and also scored a try. All this while suffering a concussion after a late hit by England's Riki Flutey. England again suffered from indiscipline, having 2 players sin-binned and giving away 18 penalties. The England try came from Delon Armitage (10, 2 Discs, BBC - Butler/Moore, PAL)
6 Nations - France (10) @ (34) England - England finally put together a complete game and destroyed the French with a 29-0 1st half. Tries from Mark Cueto, Riki Flutey, Joe Worsley and Delon Armitage did the damage but the result was a complete team performance as England avoided having a player sin-binned for the first time in 4 games. England scored again straight ater the break through Flutey but France then took control and kept England at bay while scoring 2 tries of their own through Szarzewski and Malzieu but the damage had already been done and England celebrated a third straight win over France (10, 2 Discs, BBC - Butler/Moore, PAL)
6 Nations - France (50) @ (8) Italy - France relegated Italy to the wooden spoon with a 7 try explosion in Rome. France led 25-3 at the half with tries from Chabal, Trinh-Duc and Meydard and didn't let up after the break as further tries from Heymans, Domingo, Malzieu and Meydard again completed the scoring. Both teams played great attacking rugby and Italy were rewarded with only their 2nd try of the tournament when Captain Sergio Parisse scored late on (10, 2 Discs, BBC - Mullins/Henderson, PAL)
6 Nations - Scotland (12) @ (26) England - England reclaimed the Calcutta Cup with a tight win over the old enemy. Tries from Ugo Monye (His first for England), Riki Flutey and Mathew Tait did the damage while all Scotlands' points came from the boots of Chris Paterson and Phil Godman. England led 15-3 at the half (10, 2 Discs, BBC - Cotter/Moore, PAL)
6 Nations - Ireland (17) @ (15) Wales - Ireland finally won a Grand Slam, their first in 61 years, by beating Wales in Cardiff. In a fast-paced game with a lot of attacking rugby, it was Wales that led at the half, 6-0. But Ireland responded magnificently after the break with tries from O'Driscoll and Bowe. Wales didn't quit, though and took the lead with 3 minutes remaining on a Stephen Jones drop-goal. Ireland replied with a drop-goal of their own to re-take the lead but Wales had a chance to steal the win with a penalty kick with the last play of the game. But the kick fell short and Ireland started to celebrate (10, 2 Discs, BBC - Butler/Matthews, PAL)