LONDON (Reuters):
IRELAND NOTCHED their third triple crown in four years thanks to a 19-18 win over Scotland yesterday, while Italy strung together their first back-to-back Six Nations victories by beating Wales 23-20.
The Irish joined France on six points at the top of the standing the French will be looking for their fourth successive victory when they face England at Twickenham today.
"We just about delivered," Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan said. "We have to kick on to Rome (against Italy next Saturday) now and maybe hope tomorrow England do us a favour."
Italy, on four points for the first time since they joined the championship in 2000, are level with England, leaving Scotland with two points and Wales none.
The game in Rome ended in controversy.
Wales, three points down and awarded a penalty, passed up the chance to go for a draw, kicking for touch in a bid to go for a match-winning try only for the referee to immediately blow the final whistle.
Flyhalf Ronan O'Gara scored the only try at Murrayfield and kicked Ireland's other points to seal a seventh successive victory over the Scots in an error-strewn contest.
Victory was never a formality for the Irish with the hosts, rejuvenated after their humiliating 37-17 home defeat by Italy, threatening an upset thanks to the accurate kicking of captain Chris Paterson who landed six penalties.
"We knew Scotland would come out a very different side (from the Italy defeat)," said Ireland's man of the match, wing Denis Hickie.
"That (defeat) probably wasn't a true reflection of where they are and we were not very disciplined today, we missed a few chances," he said.
"They were very good in defence and we're happy to get out of here with a win. It was a very defensive game."
Flanker Mauro Bergamasco went over for a late try to seal Italy's historic victory at Rome's Stadio Flaminio.
Bergamasco scored in the 78th minute to put Italy one point clear and flyhalf Ramiro Pez added the conversion for a match tally of 13.
Italy led 13-7 at half-time after wing Kaine Robertson's try and eight points from Pez to Shane Williams's try for Wales converted by captain Stephen Jones.
Wales hit back to go ahead early in the second half with a try from hooker Matthew Rees, converted by centre James Hook, who also kicked two penalties.
Italy's late pressure told, however, as they added the win to the 37-17 victory over Scotland two weeks ago.
Reuters
Ireland's Denis Leamy (second left) and Brian O'Driscoll (right) celebrate their victory over Scotland while holding the Triple Crown trophy after their Six Nations championship match at Murrayfield yesterday.
Greenidge, Rowe to be on show in Portmore
FORMER WEST Indies players Gordon Greenidge and Lawrence Rowe headline a host of stars set to take the field at the Bridgeport Sports Club Cricket ground next Sunday.
The 40-over match, sponsored by Social Development Corpora-tion and Petcom, is part of the Portmore Week of Celebration, which started yesterday.
Barbadian Greenidge is rated as one of the finest opening batsmen of all time while Rowe is considered one of Jamaica's best batsmen, only behind George Headley.
Greenidge played 108 Test matches for the West Indies between 1974-1991, scoring 7,558 runs and 19 centuries at an average of 44.72. Lawrence played 30 Tests in which he scored 2,047 runs with seven centuries at 43.55.
Jamaica captain Wavell Hinds will also be on show. He was unlucky to be excluded from the West Indies World Cup squad and has played 45 Tests scoring 2,608 runs,five centuries at 33.01. In ODIs, Hinds has 2,835 runs in 114 matches at 28.92.
Nehemiah Perry, who played four Tests and took 10 wickets, and David Bernard, whose one Test and four ODIs did not produce much, will also take part in the 40-over match.
Other former and present Jamaican players in action will include Tamar Lambert, Renford Pinnock, Terrence Cooke, Wayne Lewis, Delroy Morgan and Andrew Richardson, along with Lloyd Black and Osmond Erskine, who played a former Jamaica youth team.
Garfield Wileman and Austin Hutchinson from the United States cricket team, along with Mohammed Hussain from Pakistan, are among the overseas invited guests.
Meanwhile, Guinness Stout, in association with the Jamaica Boxing Board and Ken's Wildflower Restaurant and Lounge, will present Boxing Invasion II next Saturday at 8:00 p.m.
