It’s the penultimate round of the Six Nations and depending on what happens in Dublin and Paris, the winner could be decided by Saturday night.
We take a look at the three matches and try to answer some of the burning questions including if Ireland can wrap it up with a week to spare, how will new Wales captain Taulupe Faletau fare and which version of France will turn up for Le Crunch?
FRANCE v ENGLAND
Can Jamie George take his chance to cement his spot?
Dylan Hartley’s injury has opened the door for British & Irish Lions No2 Jamie George and Eddie Jones will be hoping the Saracens hooker gives his pack a lot more mobility, so absent against the Scots.
Jones will be expecting George to play more as a flanker in open play, while still being solid in the set-piece, and get to the ruck quicker than the bulky Chris Robshaw, Courtney Lawes and Nathan Hughes. Sticking with the same back-row is a gamble by Jones and could easily backfire.
Will Les Bleus fire up for Le Crunch?
There is no game in rugby that France get up for like taking on England. French rugby is at a very low ebb, no one needs to be reminded of that, and with Jacques Brunel deciding not to call on the “Edinburgh eight”, Les Bleus go into the game out of form and under-strength.
But don’t expect a cake walk. France captain Guilhem Guirado, the top tackler in the tournament, will throw himself into everything and the impressive flanker Marco Tauleigne will have a field day at the breakdown if given time and space. It will be close and a home win is not impossible.
Conor Murray has been superb for Ireland
IRELAND v SCOTLAND
Can Ireland wrap up the Six Nations with a week to spare?
Whatever happens in Dublin, if Ireland beat Scotland by a whisker or a rout, England won’t be able to catch them if they can’t match that result in Paris against France. So if Joe Schmidt’s team get a bonus-point win by scoring four tries, very possible with winger Jacob Stockdale in the form that he is, Eddie Jones’ men must do the same to remain in contention.
The idea of heading to Twickenham next weekend with the title already in the bag, and in the hunt for a Grand Slam, is very appealing to Irish eyes indeed.
Can Scotland win away from home?
Scotland looked formidable against England, they also played very well against France before that. Both of those games were in Edinburgh. When they last played away from home, they were thrashed by Wales, losing by 27 points in week one.
That’s not to say Ireland shouldn’t be concerned. Scotland have a history of upsets against Ireland. The Scots last win in Dublin came in 2010, Ireland’s farewell game at Croke Park and a Triple Crown decider. They walked away with a narrow 23-20 win. Ireland should overlook Scotland at their peril.
Wales’ new captain Taulupe Faletau
WALES v ITALY
How will Taulupe Faletau fare as captain?
The big No8 is back from injury and been immediately entrusted with the captaincy. It’s a great honour for the quietly spoken 27-year-old as Wales’ coach Warren Gatland looks to the future.
Gatland has made 10 personnel changes and one positional switch including the return to the starting line-up of George North. Lock Cory Hill is the only survivor in the pack from those who started against Ireland.
Wales clearly already have on eye on the Rugby World Cup next year and this is a good chance for Gatland to see how his fringe players shape up and whether Faletau is a long-term option as skipper, especially with regular captain Sam Warburton’s ongoing fitness issues.
Will Italy ever be competitive?
This is the 19th year since Italy joined the Six Nations and the Azzurri are on track for their 13th wooden spoon.
As attractive as their rugby may be, and they do certainly know how to score tries (seven to date this year), they simply cannot compete with any of the other five nations. Even France with all their issues easily accounted for them 34-17 in week three.
The real problem for coach Conor O’Shea, and the Six Nations, is Italy don’t seem to be getting better. They continue to unearth talent like impressive flanker Sebastian Negri and ful-lback Matteo Minozzi but those rough gems are not enough to truly call it the Six Nations.
