England crush Italy; Wales edge Scotland

England coach Eddie Jones said Jonny May’s extraordinary try in Saturday’s 41-18 Six Nations victory over Italy reminded him of a rugby league finish, though the flying up and over dive would have probably been more at home in last week’s Super Bowl.

May received the ball on the left touchline in the final play of the first half but his route to the line was seemingly blocked by hefty Italy winger Luca Sperandio.

It proved no barrier for May, however, who launched into a dive up and above his opponent and managed to touch the ball down.

It was just the sort of acrobatic leap often seen in the NFL to overcome a defensive line guarding the end zone and something Jones has seen many times before in his native Australia.

“He’s obviously been watching rugby league,” he said. “It’s traditionally a way of scoring, a smart way, in the NRL (National Rugby League) – absolutely brilliant.

“I think he’s looked at videos, but he’s such a great try scorer.”

The try took May’s international tally to 32, clear in second place behind 49-try Rory Underwood in the England pecking order.

Fellow winger Anthony Watson also had a good day as he ended an 11-month drought with a score in each half. He then spent the last 15 minutes as a makeshift forward after an horrific-looking knee injury ended flanker Jack Willis’s involvement.

“I thought he was better at number eight than wing,” said Jones – in far more jovial mood than through the week as he dealt with the fallout from the defeat against Scotland.

“He looked sharp, he’s getting back to his best form. He had a difficult time after the World Cup and had a number of injuries but he’s had a good block of training now.”

Overall Jones was pleased with his side’s display against an inexperienced Italian side who stood up strongly and even had the temerity to open the scoring with a second-minute try by Monty Ioane.

Meanwhile, Wales roared back from a 17-3 halftime deficit to complete a remarkable 25-24 Six Nations win over 14-man Scotland on Saturday, in a crackling encounter.

Winger Darcy Graham darted onto a clever chip from Ali Price to score the first try, before the effervescent captain Stuart Hogg collected his own kick through to add another as Scotland showcased their inventive, incisive attack.

After barely firing a shot in the first period, however, Wales fought back with tries from Louis Rees-Zammit and Liam Williams, both wingers capping off deft handling down the backline. Prop Wyn Jones thudded over after a driving maul to score a third, as Scotland began to infringe at the breakdown.

A 54th minute red card for Zander Fagerson for an illegal clearout appeared to seal Scotland’s fate, but Hogg reclaimed the lead for the home side with yet another brilliant score.

The last laugh belonged to Wales in a breathless finale, however, as Rees-Zammit scored his second try via his own brilliant chip-and-chase.

“We can be pleased with the character we showed, but for large parts of that game we were disappointing,” said Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones.

Player of the match Rees-Zammit, 20, justified the hype surrounding his rapid rise to the national side not only with scorching breaks but an incredible late spiralled touchfinder.

Scotland, who opened the tournament in such style with a surprise 11-6 win over the much-fancied England, were left regretting poor discipline and several spurned chances to kick points late on.

“We are bitterly disappointed, for large parts of the game we were in control of it,” Hogg said after a game in which he showed world-class pace and kicking precision.

Table-topping Wales will have the chance to make it three from three when they face England at home on February 27, while Scotland face France away the next day. (Reuters)