MUD WATCH

"The pitch isn't in the best condition," said England's Mike Brown after an afternoon at Muddyfield, with a touch of understatement. The good news is that Scotland have signed up for a new pitch made of hybrid grass "to meet the demands of professional rugby" (presumably that includes non-farcical conditions for a major international). The bad news is we won't see it until next season.

KARMA OF THE DAY

It's just possible that some in Ireland sniggered a little when Warren Gatland smacked his head on the rather large wing mirror while exiting the Welsh bus.

BEST OPTIMISM

John Inverdale's match introduction suggested those in the north of Scotland needed something to uplift them after torrid recent weather. We suspect this didn't quite do the job.

BEARD OF THE DAY

There are few things in life more beautiful than a good beard and there are few beards more beautiful than Gordon D'Arcy's. It gets the heart going like a sugar-heavy energy drink.

LANDMARK WATCH

Leigh Halfpenny, second only to Andy Murray in the nation's affections in 2013 according to the Sports Personality vote, won his 50th cap, making him the youngest Welshman to do so.

HIT OF THE DAY

Two cameramen on the sidelines at the Aviva got a tough taste of Six Nations rugby when they were sent flying after some wayward tackling from Dave Kearney and Conor Murray.