The Latest: Russell "gutted" despite incredible Scots rally

By Associated Press 17 March 2019, 12:00AM

LONDON (AP) — The Latest on the Six Nations final round (all times local):

7:30 p.m.

Scotland flyhalf Finn Russell says he is "gutted" after his team narrowly failed to complete the greatest comeback in a rugby international.

Scotland fought back from 31-0 down to draw 38-38 against England at Twickenham but Russell said: "I'm gutted. At halftime, everyone would have written Scotland off, it was 31-7 and for us to come out and have a second half like that was outstanding."

Sam Johnson scored Scotland's sixth unanswered try five minutes from time to leave it on the verge of becoming the first team to rally and win from more than 24 points behind, but George Ford then scored and converted a try for England at the end.

Russell added: "It shows the character the boys have and I'm just so disappointed we didn't manage to finish it off at the end."

__

6:55 p.m.

Scotland almost pulled off the greatest comeback in a rugby international as it fought back from 31-0 down to draw 38-38 against England at Twickenham.

George Ford scored and converted a try for England at the end to prevent Scotland becoming the first team to rally and win from more than 24 points behind.

Despite knowing it had no chance of lifting the Six Nations crown, England looked set to finish the tournament on a high when it took a 31-0 lead after half an hour.

Stuart McInally finally got Scotland on the board when he scored a try five minutes before the break.

Darcy Graham added two tries in the second half while Magnus Bradbury and Finn Russell also dived over for Scotland.

Greig Laidlaw, who had earlier missed a conversion, added the extras on Russell's try to put Scotland level on the hour mark and Sam Johnson touched down five minutes from time to leave Scotland on the verge of an incredible first victory at Twickenham since 1983.

___

5:45 p.m.

England looks set to end the tournament on a high despite having no chance of lifting the Six Nations crown.

It leads Scotland 31-7 at halftime after scoring four tries, which were all converted by Owen Farrell, who also added a penalty.

Jack Nowell turned over almost immediately for England, whose other tries were scored by Tom Curry, Joe Launchbury and Jonny May.

Stuart McInally finally got Scotland on the board when he scored a try five minutes before the break. Finn Russell added the extras.

Wales' win over Ireland earlier on Saturday saw it complete a Grand Slam and claim the Six Nations crown.

___

5:10 p.m.

England and Scotland have kicked off at Twickenham, with the hosts knowing that their chances of lifting the title are over.

Wales' win over Ireland earlier saw it complete a Grand Slam and claim the Six Nations crown.

However, England coach Eddie Jones will still be desperate for victory in the oldest international rugby match of them all and to avenge last year's defeat at Murrayfield.

Scotland hasn't won at Twickenham since 1983.

___

5:05 p.m.

Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones says there is more to come from the team after winning the Grand Slam in the Six Nations.

Jones says the Welsh have put a "big target on our backs" by sweeping the tournament but that "at times we've been unconvincing so we like to think there's still potential in us."

On coach Gatland, Jones says "Warren's the man at the top and we've been under pressure but he's always been unwavering. He's got a bit left on his contract but I'm sure we'll miss him when he's eventually gone."

___

4:35 p.m.

Six Nations champions. Grand Slam winners. The Welsh are the kings of European rugby once more.

Wales beat Ireland 25-7 to complete its clean sweep of the 2019 tournament and underline its reputation as a major contender for the upcoming Rugby World Cup.

Gareth Anscombe set up and converted a second-minute try for center Hadleigh Parkes, then kicked three penalties in each half at the Principality Stadium. Jordan Larmour scored a consolation try for Ireland.

With a national record-extending 14th straight victory, Wales won a fourth Grand Slam in the Six Nations era, starting 2000. Three of them have come under Warren Gatland, who became the first coach to win three Grand Slams in the Five or Six Nations in his last match in charge of Wales in the northern-hemisphere event.

The New Zealander will leave his post after 12 years following the World Cup in Japan.

The Irish will finish the tournament in third place.

___

3:35 p.m.

The Welsh are close to the Grand Slam.

They lead Ireland 16-0 at halftime of their match in rainy Cardiff thanks to a converted second-minute try by Hadleigh Parkes and three penalties from Gareth Anscombe.

Wales' defense has been typically outstanding — one try-saving tackle from Parkes on Jacob Stockdale was a first-half highlight — and the Irish have been constantly pinged at the scrum.

___

2:45 p.m.

Attention turns to a rainy and windy Cardiff, where Wales looks to give departing coach Warren Gatland the perfect Six Nations send-off.

A win for the Welsh will guarantee them the Grand Slam for the third time under Gatland, who will leave his post after the Rugby World Cup in Japan later this year.

Ireland, formerly coached by Gatland, can still win the championship itself — despite starting out with a home loss to England. Victory would lift the Irish above Wales, but they would then need England to lose against Scotland to win a second straight title.

___

2:28 p.m.

France won 25-14 in sunny Rome as Italy bombed five tries and suffered a record-extending 22nd straight defeat in the Six Nations.

France led 10-6 at halftime and opened the second half with its second try, Romain Ntamack's weaving run ending with wing Yoann Huget slipping his marker to score.

Scrumhalf Tito Tebaldi scored with a dummy and dive from a ruck to bring Italy back, then Leonardo Ghiraldini was carted off with an apparent right knee injury. The hooker was playing his 104th test. Lock Alessandro Zanni, the third of Italy's centurions, came on for his 111th cap since 2005.

Ntamack kicked a dropped goal for 20-14 to start the last quarter, and Tebaldi missed a second try when he knocked on trying to ground the ball in a tackle.

Italy then blew another try when new center Marco Zanon, diving over the line, had the ball knocked from his grasp by France wing Damian Penaud.

To add insult to injury, Penaud then scored France's third and last try in the 79th minute from an offload by Ntamack.

___

1:25 p.m.

France led Italy 10-6 at halftime but nobody would have complained if Italy was in front.

Tommaso Allan kicked two penalties for Italy then France scored the only try when fullback Maxime Medard counterattacked and found the home side's kick-chase wanting on the edge. Damian Penaud set scrumhalf Antoine Dupont free to the posts.

Romain Ntamack added the conversion and penalty.

But Italy dominated the last quarter, and new center Marco Zanon missed a try when Allan's grubber kick hit the right post, and twice the Italy forwards were held up over the line. Italy finished attacking in the left corner with pick-and-gos, but a knock on relieved the French.

___

12:30 p.m.

Italy and France have kicked off at the Stadio Olimpico.

Center Wesley Fofana, who hadn't appeared for France since the opening loss to Wales because of injuries, was a late withdrawal because of a thigh complaint, and Geoffrey Doumayrou returned to partner Mathieu Bastareaud.

Sergio Parisse captained Italy in his record 69th and last Six Nations match since 2004.

Marco Zanon was making his debut for Italy in place of injured center Michele Campagnaro.

Italy is guaranteed of finishing last for a fourth straight year, but it believes it can beat France to end a 21-match losing streak in the Six Nations dating to 2015.

France has failed to live up to its potential again, after beaing only Scotland in the championship.

___

11:30 a.m.

Three teams are still in contention for the Six Nations rugby title in the last round on Saturday.

Wales, England and Ireland all hold hope of taking the trophy.

Unbeaten Wales has 16 points, England 15, and defending champion Ireland 14.

Italy, which hasn't won a Six Nations match since 2015, hosts France in Rome in the first match, then Wales takes on Ireland in the decider in Cardiff, and England hopes to still be in contention when it tries to regain the Calcutta Cup from Scotland in London.

Here's how the title can be won:

Wales will win the Six Nations and achieve a first Grand Slam since 2012 if it beats Ireland.

Wales will win the Six Nations if it draws with Ireland and England loses to Scotland.

England will be champion if Wales draws and it beats Scotland.

England will be champion if Ireland beats Wales and it beats Scotland.

Ireland will be champion if it beats Wales and England loses to Scotland.

___

More AP sports: https://apnews.com/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

By Associated Press 17 March 2019, 12:00AM

Trending Stories

Samoa Observer

Upgrade to Premium

Subscribe to
Samoa Observer Online

Enjoy unlimited access to all our articles on any device + free trial to e-Edition. You can cancel anytime.

>