Celtic nations give Europe's big guns a fright

LONDON - England were beaten for the seventh time in 12 matches since being crowned world champions and title holders France almost lost as Wales and Scotland gave Europe's rugby elite a big scare in the Six Nations on Saturday.

The Welsh beat England 11-9 in Cardiff for the first time since 1993 and France scraped a 16-9 win over the Scots after controversial officiating decisions in Paris.

A Six Nations tournament expected as the most open for years could turn into a Celtic feast with Ireland, who meet Italy in Rome on Sunday, already favoured to end a title drought dating back 20 years.

Saturday's matches featured two fast maturing players who should force Clive Woodward to include them in his British and Irish Lions squad to tour New Zealand this year.

Welsh centre Gavin Henson, who stroked over a winning penalty from 40 metres as a record 74,197 home crowd roared Wales to victory at the Millennium Stadium, and Scotland halfback Chris Cusiter were voted man-of-the-match in their respective games.

Henson helped Wales make a fine start against England with a try by wing Shane Williams in the 10th minute following a sweeping movement across to one corner and back to the other.

First five-eighths Stephen Jones converted a penalty and Wales changed ends 8-3 in front, but his opposite number Charlie Hodgson finally gave England the lead for the first time with his third 10 minutes from time and looked to have saved their bacon.

England had not reckoned with Henson who had been practising long-range kicking all week and, with no hint of cockiness, said he was confident he would score as soon as the chance arose. It did with four minutes to go.

"I was really positive, I knew I was going to kick it. I've been kicking them all week. I've been kicking them really well lately," the 23-year-old told BBC television.

Wales, who narrowly lost to South Africa and New Zealand in November, can build on their victory, coach Mike Ruddock said.

"That's a big achievement for us as usually we come off second best in the forward battle," he said.

"Hopefully now we've got that result we can relax and play a bit of rugby." Wales visit Italy next weekend.

England's Andy Robinson, on his Six Nations debut as coach, said: "Slow ball and making mistakes were the key. There was a lack of rhythm. When we did speed it up we looked dangerous. "

He had hoped for more, despite the absence through injury of experienced centres Will Greenwood and Mike Tindall, after his new-look team's promising win over the Springboks and narrow loss to Australia at Twickenham in November.

The French were lucky not to have suffered the same fate as England, with controversial decisions that angered Scotland coach Matt Williams turning the match their way in the final minutes after Scotland had led for most of the match.

With 12 minutes to go, number eight Allister Hogg broke down the right wing and touched down in the corner only to have the try disallowed for stepping into touch on the way, a decision that television replays cast serious doubts on.

"We didn't deserve to be robbed blind like that. It was terrible, terrible decisions that cost us the game," said Williams.

France were level at that stage, having clawed their way back with two penalties by first five-eighths Yann Delaigue early in the second half and a drop goal three minutes earlier.

Scotland had been reduced to 14 men with the sin-binning of flanker Jon Petrie as France, who had crushed Scotland 30-3, 51-9 and 31-0 in their last three encounters, pushed to save the match.

They did with two minutes left on the clock when Traille charged down Hugo Southwell's kick and touched down and substitute first five-eighths Frederic Michalak converted.

It was France's Bernard Laporte, however, rather than Williams who was talking about a lot of hard work lying ahead for his team and a number of changes for next weekend's visit to Twickenham to face England.

"We didn't try anything, we were in a very uncomfortable position, we lacked possession and when we won the ball we dropped it," said Laporte, who wanted a marked improvement after shattering losses to Argentina and New Zealand in November.

Williams, who said he had seen some improvement in November despite a mauling by South Africa and two defeats by the Wallabies, said: "...if the guys carry on playing like that, Scottish rugby will survive. "

- REUTERS