Stuart Barnes discusses the main themes after round two of the Six Nations including the form of George North and how Englands campaign is only going to get tougher... 1. After two rounds it has not been much of a showpiece for European rugby. It is intense, aggressive, all those nasty snarling things but for class, its a different and inferior game to what we see south of the equator. That is why the highlight of the competition so far has to be that magical moment in the 70th minute in Cardiff when George North awoke from his slumbers and scored his superb solo try.He was OK against Ireland and solid enough in the Scotland game but that try may have ignited his stuttering recent last year or so - not to mention the Six Nations itself. To see someone of Norths size moving so quickly, with such balance, is a thing of rugby beauty. We need our stars shining brightly. Englands Jonathan Joseph scores against Italy 2. Sunday afternoon is a perfect reminder that selection is a long-term issue and not a knee-jerk reaction to current form. Jonathan Joseph scored a hat-trick and was acclaimed Englands hero. Never mind if two of the finishes were as routine as they get. Yet only a few weeks ago the only outside centres name being mentioned in England was Elliot Daly. No wonder Eddie Jones was happy to give his Bath man the big rap. Jonathan Joseph scored a second-half hat-trick as England beat Italy 40-9 in the Six Nations in Rome. Courtesy of ITV Sport. 3. We can talk tactics and selection as much as we like but sometimes Lady Luck intervenes and theres nothing a coach can do about it. Joe Schmidt and the good lady once seemed to be close but from the day Ireland beat France in the World Cup she has turned her back on him. Ireland and Schmidt have done wonders in the past few years but with so many injuries they were left struggling to hang on against the depth of the French squad in Paris.There was nothing unlucky about poor Irish hands when they were building pressure close to the French line in a first half of complete domination and there was nothing Schmidt could do about it. The Irish coach hasnt become a bad coach overnight, he has become unlucky. The good news for England came from the bench. The old guard may still splutter but Maro Itoje looked the part from the minute he stepped onto the Test match stage. Stuart Barnes 4. Lets not pretend the action has been riveting on the field. Non-rugby fans would wonder what all the fuss is about but for the crazy lovers of this frequently frustrating but often beguiling game, it is the atmosphere that draws them to the tournament. Will Greenwood joins Alex Payne to review the weekends Six Nations action on Rugby Club Wrap-up On Saturday afternoon, four hours before kick-off in Cardiff, the wind blowing and the media centre locked up for another hour, I was heading for the shelter of a restaurant and a burger in the company of my old mate John Cleave, a substantial voice among Cornwalls finest Sea Shanty singers, Fishermans Friends. Then, from nowhere, six men of indeterminate sobriety jumped me. They were the Zaragoza veterans, Spanish fanatics. One of them recognised Stuart Barnez and demanded a chat and photo. Every year, he explained, the Zaragoza veterans head for a Six Nations match and a weekend of revelry. All hail the Zaragoza veterans and rugbys smiling supporters everywhere. Guy Noves has won two out of two so far 5. Staying continental, France may be two for two under Guy Noves but they are not playing well. The strength of their pack from the bench prevailed against Ireland but as a team there is absolutely no coherence. Having belittled their form, selections and management, is it time to reverse ferret as we call it in the press and cover my non, Monsieur position? Is it heck; Wales will beat them Friday week unless we see a completely different France.....hmm, that unless lacks conviction doesnt it? Wales will beat France. Ireland will need the likes of Sean OBrien back from injury for their Twickenham clash with England 6. Four years ago England had a new regime. They had played two and won two. They had beaten Scotland without playing well. They beat Italy without playing well. That regime went on to win 16 Six Nations games but never a title and most importantly, it fumbled the ball at the World Cup. Beating Scotland and Italy away is the easy part. Two games (played) and two won and no major injuries. Were sailing along pretty well at the moment. Note Jones keeping the facts to the bare limits, which is pretty much where Englands game has been. The waters will get choppier from here. Ireland look very beatable at Twickenham unless they get several players back fit and at full tilt. Then it is Wales at Twickenham which will be interesting, to say the least. Englands future looks bright with Jamie George (L) looks and Maro Itoje 7. The good news for England came from the bench. The old guard may still splutter but Maro Itoje looked the part from the minute he stepped onto the Test match stage. The combination of his carrying the gain-line, Danny Care receiving front foot ball, George Ford unleashing a late pass with Italy in retreat, Jamie George running a perfect late angle onto it and popping a lovely pass into the waiting arms of Owen Farrell for a try was lovely rugby. The present remains muddled but the future looks bright. The big question is how quickly will England reach for tomorrow? Danny Drinkwater avoided punishment for his challenge on Aaron Ramsey 8. A word in defence of rugby referees. I confess, I am an Arsenal fan. I watched the referee give Arsenal nothing in Sundays first half and everything in the second - bar a straight red card after a Leicester tackle which he contrived to miss. Leicester escaped a penalty call against them when a defender had his arms out like a scarecrow to deflect the threat of an Arsenal cross. Later in the day, Manchester City conceded a penalty when their player tucked his arms almost behind his torso, incredible inconsistency from the two leading referees in England…its a tough job, whatever the sport but this cross-sport musing is a reminder that our lot arent as bad as we make out…not always anyway! Jamie Roberts of Wales is congratulated by Taulupe Faletau after scoring their second try against Scotland 9. The player of the tournament to date has to be Jamie Roberts. Defensively he was titanic against Ireland. He repeated that effort in Cardiff and added a try-scoring gain-line bashing element to his 80 minutes against Scotland. As someone who had no left hand either Id love to see him pass off his weak hand...still, you cant have it all. He is playing superbly.10. Spare a thought for Tommy Seymour. He chased and won everything that was put in the air. He scored a smart try, he did everything you could have asked of a winger but the Glasgow star only makes an entry in 10th spot this week and George North steals the headlines. No one said this world was fair, Tommy, but crikey, you played well. Scotland wing Tommy Seymour scores a try against Wales P.S. My real moment of my weekend was Danny Welbecks goal but this is a rugby column so my Arsenal emotions have no place here. But here they are anyway. Have a great week everyone, referees, Cornish Shanty Singers and Zaragoza veterans all. Now have your say… Please tell us what you think by giving us your comments below or alternatively, why not Tweet us @SkySportsRugby? Also See: Brutal England please Jones Ireland count cost of defeat Follow @SkySportsRugby Noves: French feet on the ground Vapormax Weiß Damen Schweiz . Boucher previously coached the Tampa Bay Lightning and had a 97-78-20 record over two-plus seasons. He was dismissed by the team last March after the Lightning struggled in the lockout-shortened season with a 13-18-1 record. Air Max 97 Günstig Kaufen . According the Toronto Star, a knee injury will keep Sundin out of the lineup, which includes former teammates Gary Roberts, Darcy Tucker, Tie Domi and Curtis Joseph. http://www.vapormaxkaufenschweiz.com/ . The FA rejected Wilsheres appeal that the length of his punishment was "clearly excessive" and said Thursday his suspension begins with immediate effect. He will miss league matches against Chelsea on Monday and West Ham on Dec. Vapormax Damen Günstig Kaufen . -- Ryan Blaney provided more evidence that Penske Racings No. Nike Vapormax Herren Günstig . - NASCAR announced a 33-race schedule for the 2014 Nationwide Series with virtually no changes from this years slate. ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- A year after having the NFLs worst running game, the Detroit Lions look as if they potentially have a dynamic duo in the backfield.Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick combined for 120 yards receiving and 108 yards rushing in the Lions season-opening 39-35 victory at Indianapolis.Detroit was determined to establish its improved ground game early against the Colts, including on the opening drive that was capped by Riddicks 21-yard touchdown run.And late in the game, the coaches didnt abandon that part of the game plan as they called running plays to set up Riddicks second score on a 13-yard reception.To be a successful team, you got to be able to run the ball in tough situations and you got to be able to count on it, Abdullah said Wednesday.The Lions had a one-dimensional offense last season, relying on Matthew Staffords arm, a receiving group led by Calvin Johnson and Riddicks pass-receiving skills.Detroit averaged an NFL-low 83.4 yards rushing per game, gaining just 3.8 yards per rushing attempt.Abdullah approached that average by himself in Week 1, running for 63 yards on 12 carries. Riddick had seven carries -- matching a career high -- for 45 yards and a score against the Colts.In the run game, we were a little bit better, Lions coach Jim Caldwell said. The real key thing is to make certain that we continue because every week is going to be a little different challenge.The Lions (1-0) will host Tennessee (0-1) on Sunday in their home opener.The Titans began the season with a 25-16 loss at home to the Minnesota Vikings, but did an impressive job of holding Adrian Peterson to just 31 yards rushing on 19 carries, none of which went for double digits in yards.Without Johnson in the lineup for the first time in a decade, the Lions have had to quickly learn how to make the most of what they have on the roster.ddddddddddddAbdullah, a second-round pick last year, and Riddick, a sixth-round selection in 2013, appear to be great options for Stafford when he hands the ball off or tosses a short pass.Both guys are really, really good between the tackles running the ball, and also out in space, Stafford said.Catching the ball out of the backfield, running wide, whatever it is. Weve got two talented guys, two young guys that are going to help us out.Abdullah had career highs with five receptions and 57 yards receiving and a score at Indianapolis. Riddick had five receptions for 63 yards and a score, picking up where he left off last season. He and Danny Woodhead had 80 receptions, the most by a running back in 2015.I said this morning, `They have two backs that are dangerous in both areas and so do we, said Titans coach Mike Mularkey, referring to DeMarco Murray and rookie Derrick Henry. Itll be a good challenge.Detroit also has a third running back, Dwayne Washington, a 6-foot-2, 226-pound rookie, who gives them another option in short-yardage situations. Washington powered into the end zone on a 1-yard run, helping the Lions take an early 14-point lead against the Colts.Hes a really young, talented kid, got a lot of raw potential, Stafford said. Hes got potential. Well see where his role goes, and how he evolves in this offense. Were happy to have him.---Online: AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '