Ireland’s chances of landing a Six Nations three-peat and a Grand Slam will be on the line this weekend as the tournament roars into round four with issues to be decided at the top and bottom of the standings.
It’s D-day in Dublin for the Irish and France, who will each get key players back for this tension-filled tussle.
Elsewhere, Wales will look to build on the positive signs they showed under interim head coach Matt Sherratt last time out as they travel to Murrayfield to face an inconsistent Scotland side.
And can Italy finally end their Twickenham hoodoo on Sunday as the Azzurri look to bounce back from a 49-point shellacking at the hands of France when they face England at Allianz Stadium.
Ireland’s chances of landing a Six Nations three-peat and a Grand Slam will be on the line this weekend as the tournament roars into round four with issues to be decided at the top and bottom of the standings.
It’s D-day in Dublin for the Irish and France, who will each get key players back for this tension-filled tussle.
Elsewhere, Wales will look to build on the positive signs they showed under interim head coach Matt Sherratt last time out as they travel to Murrayfield to face an inconsistent Scotland side.
And can Italy finally end their Twickenham hoodoo on Sunday as the Azzurri look to bounce back from a 49-point shellacking at the hands of France when they face England at Allianz Stadium.
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Six Nations Week 4 tips
- Ireland v France – Under 45.5 points @ 10/11
- Scotland v Wales – Over 47.5 points @ 4/5
- England v Italy – England -9.5 Handicap – First Half @ 4/5
Ireland v France – Saturday, February 8th (2:15pm KO)
Ireland v France – Under 45.5 points @ 10/11
This game is unlikely to disappoint the purists, but casual observers could be left a little underwhelmed by the paucity of opportunities to score points.
Both teams are excellent in defence and will likely double down on their discipline too with so much at stake.
France, who have been brilliant in the set-piece this year, have conceded an incredibly-low tally of 17 total penalties in this year’s tournament, while Ireland’s gameplan has involved much more kicking than in the past.
Simon Easterby’s men are grinding out their wins a lot more with fewer line breaks and offloads, so the 45.5 points total looks like one to go under this weekend.
Scotland v Wales – Saturday, March 8th (4:45pm KO)
Scotland v Wales – Over 47.5 points @ 4/5
Scotland should bounce back from consecutive losses to Ireland and England when they face wooden spoon candidates Wales at Murrayfield, but Sherratt’s men can push them all the way.
There were signs of life in the Dragons during their spirited 18-27 loss to Ireland last time out and they have been boosted by the news that experienced fly-half Gareth Anscombe has been passed fit to play on Saturday.
Gregor Townsend’s side started the tournament strongly with a bonus-point win against Italy before faltering and will be keen to re-establish their free-flowing, attacking rugby again.
There should be plenty of opportunities for tries in this one and with Wales’ last five internationals averaging over 50 points apiece, there is scope for this one to go over 47.5 in total.
England v Italy – Sunday, February 9th (3pm KO)
England v Italy – England -9.5 Handicap – First Half @ 4/5
England had Finn Russell’s wayward kicking to thank for their Calcutta Cup win over the Scots as Steve Borthwick’s side scraped a 16-15 home win last time out.
It wasn’t pretty, but at least they’re now coming out on the right side of tight results – although this should be anything but a nail-biter against the Azzurri.
Borthwick’s decision to drop Marcus Smith and Henry Slade in a bid to retune his side’s spluttering attack is a bold move that could pay early dividends.
Fraser Dingwall’s inclusion at centre means five of the XV’s seven backs are from Northampton, with Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith continuing their half-back partnership.
That club familiarity might just spark England into something special before the break against an Italian side who were in an 18-point half-time hole against France and trailed by 10 points at the mid-point of their Murrayfield mauling.
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