Summer Internationals Gameweek 3 results
England Cling On Against Wales Amidst Farrell's Red Card
In an intense clash at Twickenham, England managed to scrape past a spirited Wales with a 19-17 win. This match was filled with drama, intrigue, and physicality, as is often the case between these two rivals.
The match began on a strong note for the home side with Owen Farrell knocking in two penalties to lead 6-0 at half-time. England seemed to be gaining momentum with Farrell's third penalty, but things quickly turned when Wales' Owen Williams got them on the board in the 46th minute.
Then came the 58th minute that many will remember. First, Ellis Genge was sent to the sin-bin for collapsing a scrum. The rollercoaster took another twist when Josh Adams chased down a cross-field kick to earn a penalty try, further compounding England's woes as Freddie Steward was also yellow-carded. As if things couldn't get worse for England, their talisman Farrell received a red card, making the uphill battle even steeper.
With the advantage of numbers, Wales capitalized with Tomos Williams touching down for a five-pointer. However, against all odds, England’s Maro Itoje responded with a vital try, closing the gap to just a point. George Ford's last-minute heroics with the boot sealed a dramatic victory for England, but the win came at a cost with Farrell's World Cup availability now in doubt. Despite the disciplinary challenges, England's Ben Earl stood out with a Man of the Match performance.
Late Drama in Saint-Étienne as France Edge Past Scotland
Moving over to the Stade Geoffroy Guichard in Saint-Étienne, fans were treated to a spectacle as France narrowly secured a win against a fierce Scottish side, 30-27.
The game kicked off with a lightning start from Scotland as Kyle Steyn crossed the whitewash within the first five minutes. France, however, made their intentions clear by responding with a Romain Ntamack try and the boot of Thomas Ramos, edging ahead 13-10 at the interval.
The post-break session saw France increase their dominance with Damien Penaud and Charles Ollivon both crossing the try-line. But Scotland, known for their resilience, struck back with Duhan van der Merwe and Rory Darge bringing the visitors tantalizingly close.
The climax reached its peak when Steyn once again dotted down, leveling the scores. But the drama wasn't done. A late penalty from Ramos secured the victory for France, breaking Scottish hearts in the process. Kyle Steyn’s exceptional performance for Scotland didn’t go unnoticed as he was awarded the Man of the Match.
Wrap Up
Gameweek 3 of the Summer Internationals provided fans with everything they desire from rugby: intensity, passion, drama, and nail-biting finishes. As teams continue to prep for the Rugby World Cup, these fixtures have undoubtedly offered a glimpse of the thrilling encounters ahead.