BREAKING: Six Nations boss faces sack before the end of the tournament

RUCK’s 2024 Guinness Six Nations content 

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This speculation follows France’s latest underwhelming performance in Lille, where they narrowly avoided defeat against Italy, managing only a 13-13 draw in Round 3 of the competition. The match saw France reduced to 14 men for the second half, allowing Italy to mount significant pressure and nearly clinch a historic victory.

“I’d be surprised if Fabien Galthie is there by the end of the Six Nations,” Jackman stated.

Paolo Garbisi's injury-time penalty hit the post as Italy were denied a first Six Nations victory in France.

The fly-half looked set to seal the historic win until the ball fell off the tee, which resulted in a rushed attempt due to the shot clock.

However, due to French players attempting to charge down his penalty, the kick should have been retaken.

One fan wrote on Reddit: "According to World Rugby's rules you can't charge down a penalty kick and have to stand still with arms at your side. Clearly not what happened in game. Penalty should have been retaken 10m in front of where it was originally."

A second said: "I'm not one of those people who says games are gifted by officials, but in this case when it was a draw and the earlier try from France should not have been given it's different. That not one of the officials did nothing about the French players moving towards him during the kick is a huge failure considering it's clearly stated in the laws. Italy will not get a chance like this potentially ever again."

Another commented: "Are there any repercussions when referees make egregiously bad decisions? Like, I'm against players/coaches laying into refs and the media making a big show of them, but surely World Rugby should have a process for reviewing these situations? Also, how come the TMO and assistant referees kept quiet when the French players charged the kick? The ball didn't go out right away. There was plenty of time for them to flag it with him."

A fourth added: "Ref got caught in the headlights. First international game, right? Maybe unlucky for this to happen in your first game or maybe the French felt they could get away with it with him."

England made 24 handling errors and conceded 22 turnovers in a ragged display.

Telegraph 4/10: "Perhaps unsurprisingly was not on the same page as Ford and Slade in both attack and defence in their first game together. Badly fell off a tackle on Redpath that led to Scotland’s third try."

Planet Rugby 4/10: "Barely saw him in an attacking sense. A few carries, one bad pass, one dropped ball – although that was George Ford’s fault – but not the form we’ve seen in the Premiership."

RUCK 5/10: "Not what the Bath centre would have wanted upon his return from injury. The powerhouse came alive with some clattering hits, yet threw a wayward pass into touch at 76 minutes that summed up his afternoon. So much more was wanted from England fans, who were excited to see him comeback."

Replacement: Manu Tuilagi

Rugby Pass 5/10: "Taking over from the injured Alex Mitchell, he began busily before a 16th-minute overcooked touch finder took pep out of England’s early stride. Deteriorated from there, his last act on 44 seeing him watch on in despair as van der Merwe collected Finn Russell’s crosskick to compete his hat-trick."

Telegraph 4/10: "Sharp service for the most part, but was unable to control the game with the boot, kicking out on the full and was continually harassed with his box kicking."

RUCK 5/10: "Unfortunate performance from Danny Care, as the hectic, misshapen approach to proceedings asked questions of the Harlequin. Misplaced a handful of kicks, in what was an underwhelming effort from the boot. Unable to track across after Finn Russell found van der Merwe with a cross-field kick, with the wing completing his hat-trick."

Planet Rugby 4/10: "Several levels below Alex Mitchell. The lack of length from box-kicks put England under pressure, especially early in the second half, while his decision-making from the base was atrocious. "

Replacement: Ben Spencer

Telegraph 5/10: "The try appeared to provide instant vindication for Borthwick’s bold selection, however his spill resulted in Van der Merwe’s second try. Some promising glimpses and some ghastly errors."

Replacement: Freddie Steward

Rugby Pass 5/10: "Carried and was physical in the early stages when England were on top on the scoreboard, but he soon fell out of the reckoning. Gave Russell penalty points for an offence on 35 minutes and he was hooked six minutes into the second period."

Telegraph 5/10: "Aside from one big hand-off was fairly quiet and missed a few tackles. Expect George Martin to come into the equation for the Ireland game."

RUCK 5.5/10: "Offside at the half hour mark, as England were sometimes over eager in their do-or-die blitz defence. Missed the ball in the air, as England lost the 43rd minute line-out, in the build up to van Der merwe 3rd try. Off for George Martin (47’)"

Replacement: Chandler Cunningham-South

Planet Rugby 5/10: "Nice work for the opening try but nothing much else really stood out. Place should be under threat after mediocre efforts in the first three rounds."

Replacement: Immanuel Feyi-Waboso