Now for le backlash

FOR A tournament that has been all too predictable in recent years, the competition could not have had a better opening weekend.

Over the past few seasons, Scotland and Italy have been the perennial basement sides. That may be about to change.

Scotland’s outstanding victory yesterday over tournament favourites France at Murrayfield has blown the Six Nations wide open. Quite what it has done for Eddie O’Sullivan remains to be seen. While Scotland proved there are rewards for taking on the French up front, inevitably there will be a backlash. It may prove unfortunate timing that Ireland are in Paris next Saturday.