Still an hour or so to go before the start of the St Patrick’s Day sporting feast and, if the opinions of the Australian, South African, New Zealand and Argentinian coaches are anything to go by Ireland will have an uphill task to set a high enough target to see off the French. As Jake White, the South African coach puts it, playing at home, “France will know exactly what they have to do..” So fingers crossed then that Italy [and France – Ed] have an off-day.. however, given the apparent theme of the day, and as the Big G’s Newsblog spotted, it’s worth keeping in mind that not all leprechauns are lucky.. Updated Final score Italy 24 – 51 Ireland Half-time in Paris France 20 – 14 Scotland. In Jamaica, Pakistan are 72-6 off 21.1 overs. Final score in Paris, with a last minute try, France 46 – 19 Scotland. The French take it by 4 points. Meanwhile, Pakistan now 115 for 8. Adds Ireland have bowled Pakistan all out for 132 runs off 45.4 overs. Stunning performance. Now if they can hold the batting together.. More The Guardian’s Andy Bull is following Ireland’s innings, among other nail-biting matches, 3 for 0 after first over. Now 44-2 from 15 overs After 25 of 50 overs, Ireland are 72 for 4.. Steady, guys! Aaarrgh!! 81 for 4 from 27.3 overs. Rain stopped play. Back at the crease chasing 128 from 47 overs.. seemingly.. 133, 0 needed Five Live Cricket special.. fading light.. Superb 6 to finish with. Ireland win. Pakistan out of the competition. Unless Zimbabwe replicate that performance against Pakistan, Ireland will go through to the final stages. Final Cricket history, guys, cricket history.The Guardian also sets out the possible outcomes.. including the most outside of outside chances..
If England, France and Ireland win
· England must win by 31 points more than France and 27 points more than Ireland.
· Ireland must win by 5 points more than France and can afford to win by anything up to 25 points less than England.
· France can afford to win by 4 points less than Ireland and 29 points less than England.
If England lose and France and Ireland win
·Ireland must beat Italy by five points more than France’s margin of victory over Scotland
If Ireland lose and France and England win
·England must beat Wales by 30 points more than France’s margin of victory over Scotland
If France lose and England and Ireland win
·England must beat Wales by 27 points more than Ireland’s margin of victory over Italy
If two of France, Ireland and England lose and one wins
·The winner takes the title
If France, England and Ireland lose
·France can afford to lose by 5 points more than Ireland. If France and Ireland lose by wide margins (30pts+ each) a narrow England loss could still secure the title
If France and England lose heavily and Italy beat Ireland by around 50pts…
·Italy will be Six Nations champions
Updated Italy 24 – 51 Ireland. With a disputed late try by Italy. It rules out some of those options listed above but, barring a complete trouncing of Wales by England, if Scotland can keep with 24 points of France…
Adds which Scotland failed to do.. just.