By Ethan Parsons.
The break is over and the feast of rugby is back with a potential title decider at Murrayfield between Scotland and France. Also, England look to return to winning ways in Rome against Italy.
First versus second, a chance for Scotland to claim their first Six Nations championship
Whereas France knows a win all but confirms a successful defence of their championship and one step closer to the Grand Slam. Scotland may have won fifteen Five Nations championships (before Italy joined to make it the Six Nations) they have never won the Six Nations. At Murrayfield, Scotland know this is their biggest opportunity which they cannot take for granted.
Last round a slightly unconvincing win against Wales for Scotland, who turned around a 12 point difference at half time into a 23-26 win at the Principality Stadium.
Whereas, France dismantled an Italy side 33-8 to get three wins from three games who kept the Grand Slam dreams alive, another bonus point and remained in poll position to be champions once again.
Scotland made six changes in the forward pack with only vice captain and man of the match against Wales Rory Darge and second row Scott Cummings keeping their places, a refresh was needed as Scotland will face the highest try scorers of the campaign. Try scorer versus Wales, Darcy Graham comes in to replace highly rated Duhan Van Der Merwe who has only featured once all campaign. France have also refreshed their lineup with rested players against Italy returning to the starting fifteen for the trip to Murrayfield. Charles Ollivon, Mickael Guillard return into the second row. Thomas Ramos, who has scored 38 points returns at Fullback. The most notable return is Matthieu Jalbert, back from injury to regain his position at fly-half, who has scored two tries and scored 10 points.
Scotland must keep an eye on the top scorer of the Six Nations, so far, Louis Bielle-Barrey who has scored eight tries, and Antoine Dupont who is currently considered the best player in the world who has seven try assists. On the other hand, France must keep out in-form Blair Kinghorn. Blair Kinghorn has made 614 metres, 12 offloads and 101 carries so far in the Six Nations. France must not let him dictate play and breakthrough their defensive lines.
Scotland know they need to raise their performance levels to outperform this French unbeatable team. Scotland currently sit in second place, which could change if Ireland win tonight, on eleven points four behind the leaders France who are on fifteen points. A bonus point win at Murrayfield for France seals the championship despite one more game still left to play.
Fourth against fifth and both equal on points, England face Italy in Rome. England have just come off the back of a 21-42 loss at Twickenham against rivals Ireland which killed all hopes of the Six Nations going to England, the championship is now out of reach and they must settle for a midtable position. Whereas Italy, want to stay out of range of the dreaded Wooden Spoon which is handed to the team that finishes last.
England Head coach Steve Borthwick is under pressure after an appalling Six Nations campaign so far, losing heavily to Scotland and Ireland. England come in huge favourites against Italy, but this could be Italy’s chance to strike against a defeated England side. Despite back to back losses to Ireland and France, Italy remain in high hopes. Italy are currently fifth place on five points but have impressed yet again as the nation keeps on improving their quality of rugby under head coach Gonzalo Quesada.
After two horrendous losses, England have made 9 changes from the Ireland defeat with only Tommy Lawrence keeping his place in the backline. A notable player who has been replaced is George Ford who had a terrible performance against Ireland is replaced by 23 year old Fin Smith who only has 14 caps.
Despite a heavy loss to France, Italy only made three changes. A swap at scrum half and full back, also a re-shuffle at the centre with Juan Ignacio Brex coming in at outside centre and Tommaso Menoncello swapping to inside centre.
Tommaso Allan starts on the bench against England so Paolo Garbisi will take the kicks for Italy. Paolo has scored 7 successful goals and has only missed two, England must not let Paolo Garbisi take charge of the game and Italy must keep Tommy Freeman out of the game has scored five tries so far this campaign and is Italy’s main threat.
England have never lost to Italy in the Six Nations in 26 matches, which grows England’s confidence despite having a tough campaign. Italy knows England are in a tough period which can fuel their belief that they can beat England for the first ever time, especially being in front of a home crowd.
Two games, high stakes, and a potential for France to win the championship with one game to spare. These are the Six Nations Saturday fixtures which are guaranteed to put on a show for the fans all around the world.
