The big guns keep on gunning, the strugglers keep on struggling.

The second weekend of Six Nations rugby provided no surprises but three vastly different contests to enjoy.

It started with a slow, low-scoring slugfest in Paris before an exhilarating shoot-out in Cardiff, before England provided the weekend's only blow-out in Rome.

Joe Schmidt's reigning champions came into the tournament with a few question marks and a draw with Wales followed up by this narrow, attritional defeat to France have failed to provide many answers.

Ireland showed the greater attacking intent in the first half but their errors left them with just three Johnny Sexton penalties to show for their endeavours.

They also had to deal with the loss of more key men to injury as Sean O'Brian and Dave Kearney limped off.

Sexton then joined them on the treatment table after taking a big hit for the second week running.

France's bench gave them momentum as the fresh legs got a push on Ireland up front and it was replacement scrum half Jean-Marc Doussain who seized the moment to snipe off a scrum and release Maxime Medard for the decisive score.

Vern Cotter's team improved in every department from their defeat to Italy but still came up short as the big game players in the Welsh ranks came through for them.

Scotland played with great attacking purpose, on the foundations of a pack which was winning quick ball and putting Wales on the back foot.

But they were left to lament a dubious opening score from Gareth Davies which kept Wales in touch at the break.

Scotland were still on top and pushing hard for a second score when a spilled ball from John Hardie set Tom James racing away. Duncan Taylor brilliantly covered to stop him but the pressure from Wales told as the brilliant Jamie Roberts trucked over the whitewash.

Then it was time for George North to recapture his best form, cutting a magnificent line to dance into the space behind the Scotland pack and put Wales out of sight.

A lovely delayed pass to send Taylor over for a try was just too little too late for Scotland, who more than contributed to the championship's best game so far.

For 40 minutes the Azzurri matched England physically and in attacking intent, but a hurricane from the men in white blew away the hosts after the break.

George Ford scored the only try of the first half but Carlo Canna's boot kept Italy deservedly in touch with the visitors as they headed in at 9-11 to Eddie Jones' team.

A nightmare attempted offload let Jonathan Joseph scamper in for a try which opened the floodgates.

Joseph was handed two more scores and Owen Farrell also finished a lovely move from England as they produced the big win their fans, media and head coach were all desperate for.