England fall short on Six Nations's 'greatest day'

It was, by universal agreement, the greatest single day in the history of the Six Nations. On Saturday morning, four nations were in contention for the title although France were the rank outsiders with the serious money on England, Ireland and Wales.

After four rounds of the tournament all had three wins from four matches and six points; the difference was points scored with England boasting the best tally with plus 37, followed by Ireland with 33 and then Wales with 12.

Wales, though, were in Rome to play Italy, who had little at stake except pride. For the first 40 minutes that looked enough to ruin Wales's hopes of winning the title. Italy trailed 14-13 at half-time but when they ran out for the second half it soon became apparent they'd left their concentration in the changing room.

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In one of the most extraordinary 40 minutes of international rugby, Wales ran in 46 points, including seven tries – not bad for a team that had managed just five in their previous four championship matches. Winger George North scored a hat-trick in ten minutes and as the clock ticked down Wales had amassed a daunting points difference over Ireland and England. But then disaster for the visitors. They lost possession deep in their own half and the Italians finally stirred themselves, launching a wonderful move that ended in a converted try for Leonardo Sarto. Now Ireland, instead of having to beat Scotland by 28 points or more to overtake Wales's points difference and seize the title, had to win by 21.

It was still a big ask, but in the Edinburgh sunshine Scotland offered little in the way of stubborn resistance after the opening half-hour. Ireland scored four tries – doubling the number they'd scored in their first four matches – and ran out 40-10 winners. Now it was they who had one hand on the trophy, with England required to beat France by 26 points or more in the final game of the afternoon.

England were mightily valiant, and marvellously attacking, but despite scoring seven tries in a record 55-35 defeat of the French – who also showed glimpses of their fabled French flair in scoring five tries of their own – England fell six points short of catching the Irish.

So it was Ireland who lifted the trophy, and deservedly so for the men in green have been the most consistent performers this season. But the English – runners-up for a fourth consecutive year – aren't happy with some of their rivals, with several players delivering what The Times describes as "thinly-veiled criticism of Scotland and Italy for their limp performances" on the final day of action. "Massive credit to the French for the way they fronted up for this game and for the way they played – compared to a few other countries," said full-back Mike Brown of a team, who though they lost still scored a record number of points at Twickenham.

Brown added: "Fair play to France, they played a game. I don't need to say anything else. Everyone knows it. It was fast-paced, end to end. We played good rugby, they played good rugby. France turned up and made a game of it. They could have easily folded, so it was great to see that from them from a spectator point of view."

Brown's teammate, second-row Courtney Lawes, said of the Scotland defeat (their heaviest against Ireland since 2003) that he was "really surprised there was such a big discrepancy with the score". Scrum-half Ben Youngs said simply: "I don't know what happened to Italy or Scotland."

In truth, Saturday's rugby was further proof of what's been obvious for a number of seasons: that the Six Nations has become a two-tier tournament with Scotland and Italy fighting it out for the wooden spoon (it's Scotland's this year) and the other four countries battling for the top spot.

England will be accused of sour grapes but that shouldn't detract from a Saturday that showcased rugby union at its sweetest.