RUGBY IN BRITAIN

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 150, 21 March 1939, Page 3

RUGBY IN BRITAIN

International Triple Tie LOW SCORING THE RULE (By Quidnunc.) By 'beating Scotland on Saturday bjthe -narrow margin of 9 points to 6 England drew level with Ireland and Wales in the international Rugby championship at Home for the 1938-39 season, the result thus being a triple tie. The final positions of the teams were:

The results were: Wales beat Ireland. 74); beat Scotland, 11-3; lost to England. 0-3. Ireland beat England, 5-0; beat -Scotland, 12-3; lost to Wales, 0-7. England beat Wales, 3-0; beat Scotland. 9-6; lost to Ireland, 0-5. Scotland lost to Wales, 3-1-1; lost to Ireland, 3-12; lost to England, 6-9. The scoring is among the smallest that has been recorded in the series for many seasons. In the six games played the winning teams scored 53 -points and the losing teams 43 points, the average being 9-7 a game. The results, generally epeaking, are accepted as a fair test of the strength of Rugby at Home. There was little between Wales, Ireland and England, and but for illness among its leading players and surprising lack of its usual dash. ■Scotland would probably have proved capable of lowering the colours of their opponents. A feature of the games was the nonsuccess of the 3-4-1 serum. This was adopted by Wales and Ireland on recommendations from experienced players after the tour of South Africa. Whether this formation has not yet been sufficiently exploited Home to gain the greatest advantages 'is still in doubt, but in the matches in which it was tried it. proved ineffective, and the traditional British 3-2-3 formation was persevered with.

W. T,. Points Tl. For. Ag. Wales ,.... .1 IS 6 4 Ireland ... 1 "17 10 4 England ... 3 12 11 4 Scotland .. 0 3 12 32 0