The Friday night late start of the RBS 6 Nations 2015 championship was certainly played up by the Welsh organisers who ramped up the atmosphere with music and lighting show fit for a festival. But England brought it back to Rugby and Captain Chris Robshaw led by example making 26 tackles and missing none. Had the roof been closed, and the brute force of England's play would have blown the roof off. A committed team performance bullied Wales around the park with Ben Young's putting in the performance of the weekend. The 16 - 21 win for England sent a clear message to the rest of the world that England don't just have the desire to win the World Cup, but an ability to deliver a win under pressure when it counts.

Stadio Olimpico saw Italy face the current reigning 6 Nations champions and solid favourites Ireland. The first half was a very pedestrian affair with neither team looking like they could vie for the silverware. A much improved Ireland turned up in the second half and denied Italy any possession. Two tries early on, meant Italy had everything to do in the fourth quarter. The absence of Brian O'Driscoll was not the gaping hole the rest of the rugby world hoped for, with Jared Payne looking comfortable in the centre of the park. The absence of Sexton at number 10 was noticeable with Ian Keatley filling in. But although he did grew in the the game, Ireland will need Sexton back if this campaign is to result in the elusive retaining of the 6 Nations championship.

There was further misery for Sean O'Brien who injured his hamstring in the warm up adding to more off field time to his 15 month injury exile. O'Brien's last minute replacement Tommy O'Donnell took his substitution duties across the Italian try line in the second half to score Irelands second try. More will be needed from Ireland in the coming games.

France welcomed Scotland to the Stade de France in the first sporting event to happen since the terrorist attacks at Charlie Hebdo. In the first 20 minutes France put all the pressure on Scotland. Scotland responded well, led in part by their new number 10 Finn Russell. The second quarter of the game became a good show of fast paced rugby from both sides with neither of them being able to break the others defensive line.

Dougie Fife sent Scotland in to the dressing room at halftime, just 1 point behind after scoring a well worked team try. In the second half both teams continued to be very aggressive at the breakdown and the game remained tense and close. A silly penalty was conceded when Dougie Fife threw the ball away after being taken into touch. The third quarter saw a lack of discipline from Scotland and penalties started to mount putting them under pressure. With 10 minutes to go it was a four point game. Scotland were awarded a penalty and kicked to the corner rather than take the 3 points. Scotland failed to secure points and the move ended in a French attack that resulted in 3 points for the French, moving the game to a 7 point gap with just 3 minutes left on the clock.

Scotland lost both their discipline and the game as the French took a 15 - 8 win.

After round 1 of 2015 RBS 6 Nations, England have set the standard and after just 1 game had become the new favourites to take the 6 Nations Championship, despite sitting in third place in the table.