After a weeks hiatus the Six Nations is back, with old rivals clashing, title challengers facing off, and the Italians eye up a big shock.
The first two weeks saw plenty of action, on and off the pitch, with Ireland leading the way and Wales propping up the table.
| Played | Wins | Losses | Points Difference | Points | |
| Ireland | 2 | 2 | 0 | 37 | 10 |
| Scotland | 2 | 2 | 0 | 34 | 10 |
| England | 2 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 6 |
| France | 2 | 1 | 1 | -8 | 5 |
| Italy | 2 | 0 | 2 | -22 | 1 |
| Wales | 2 | 0 | 2 | -52 | 0 |
Round three fixtures:
Italy v Ireland
Wales v England
France v Scotland
First up on Saturday, title favourites Ireland travel to Rome to take on a vastly improved Italy side. The Italians have lost both of their games so far, but took France all the way in round one, before falling at Twickenham a week later.
Captain Michele Lamaro has been a standout performer so far, as has World Rugby Young Player Of The Year Ange Capuozzo who has one try to his name.
They both start this weekend, as does Gloucester’s Steven Varney at scrum-half, team mate Jake Polledri isn’t fit however, having got injured at the back end of the game against England.
Ireland are also missing some key players, as they look to continue their title charge ahead of the World Cup.
Jonny Sexton is missing at fly-half, meaning club mate Ross Byrne will be pulling the strings at 10, Jack Conan replaces veteran Peter O’Mahony in the back row, Craig Casey takes over from Conor Murray and Finlay Bealham is still deputising for Tadgh Furlong.
But that won’t affect Andy Farrell’s men, as they look to get their squad depth up for the Autumn.
They look champions elect, and with nearest challengers Scotland to come next weekend, they’ll look to put themselves in a commanding position ahead of that.
Italy XV: Capuozzo; Padovani, Brex, Menoncello, Bruno; Garbisi, Varney; Fischetti, Nicotera, Ferrari, Cannone, Ruzza, Negri, Lamaro (C), Cannone.
Replacements: Bigi, Zani, Riccioni, Iachizzi, Pettinelli, Fusco, Morisi, Allan.
Ireland XV: Keenan; Hansen, Ringrose, Aki, Lowe; R Byrne, Casey; Porter, Kelleher, Bealham; Henderson, Ryan (C); Doris, Van der Flier, Conan.
Replacements: D Sheehan, Kilcoyne, O’Toole, Baird, O’Mahony, Murray, Crowley, McCloskey.
The second game of the weekend sees the competitions fiercest rivalry take centre stage in Cardiff as Wales take on England.
With the turmoil off the pitch nearly causing the game to be called off, many will be hoping Wales can use that anger to claim a first win of a torrid return for Warren Gatland so far.
They can rely on the return of star winger Louis Rees-Zammit, who came off the bench to score for Gloucester last Friday, as well as debutant Mason Grady in the centres.
They have chosen experience over youth this weekend having tried out many of the younger players in the heavy defeat at Murrayfield.
The most capped player, Alun Wyn Jones, is back in, as are Justin Tipuric and Taulupe Faletau. There is also a start for Owen Williams at fly-half over Toulon’s Dan Biggar.
As for England, they have only made one change to the starting lineup that beat Italy two weeks ago, with the injured Ollie Hassell-Collins being swapped out for Anthony Watson.
The only other changes in the squad see the evergreen Courtney Lawes return to the England team for the first time since the summer, having had concussion issues most of this season, and Ben Curry is back having
England will be looking to build on the Italy game, having lost Steve Borthwick’s first game in charge to Scotland, and more importantly hoping that Kevin Sinfield can get the defence going as he did with Borthwick at Leicester last season.
With both sides having new coaching set ups and a World Cup around the corner, the winner of this one will look to build ahead of France in six months.
Wales XV: Halfpenny; Adams, Grady, Hawkins, Rees-Zammit; O Williams, T Williams; G Thomas, Owens (capt), Francis, Beard, AW Jones, Tshiunza, Tipuric, Faletau.
Replacements: Roberts, Carre, Lewis, Jenkins, Reffell, Hardy, Biggar, Tompkins
England XV: Steward; Malins, Slade, Lawrence, Watson; Farrell (capt), Van Poortvliet; Genge, George, Sinckler; Itoje, Chessum; Ludlam, Willis, Dombrandt.
Replacements: Walker, M Vunipola, Cole, Lawes, B Curry, Mitchell, M Smith, Arundell.
The final match of the weekend is the biggest at the top end of the table, with high-flying Scotland travelling to the cauldron of the Stade de France.
Scotland head into round three after two highly impressive wins over England and Wales, with the latter showing that they can pushover any team on their day.
They also head into the game knowing a win could set up a potential Grand Slam decider vs Ireland at Murrayfield in a couple of weeks.
They meet a France side reeling from their comfortable defeat in Dublin, that saw their Six Nations hopes go out of their own control.
Scotland did win on their last trip to France, but Les Blues were playing in an empty stadium, needing points to try and win the tournament.
They have match winner from that day, Duhan Van der Merwe, on the wing, having been the most threatening player in the competition so far.
Captain Jamie Ritchie has led from the front so far, and he will be backed up by big-hitter Hamish Watson who makes his long awaited return.
South-African born props Pierre Schoeman and WP Nel will also sturdy the scrum, which won’t be up against the suspended giant, Uini Atonio.
He will be replaced by Montpellier tighthead Mohamed Haouas who was sent off for a punch to the face on Jamie Ritchie.
France XV: Ramos, Penaud, Fickou, Moefana, Dumortier; Ntamack, Dupont (capt); Baille, Marchand, Haouas, Flament, Willemse, Jelonch, Ollivon, Alldritt.
Replacements: Barlot, Wardi, Falatea, Taofifenua, Cros, Macalou, Couilloud, Jalibert.
Scotland XV: Hogg, Steyn, Jones, Tuipulotu, Van der Merwe; Russell, White; Schoeman, Turner, Z Fagerson, R Gray, Gilchrist, Ritchie (capt), Watson, M Fagerson
Replacements: Brown, Bhatti, Nel, J Gray, Skinner, Dempsey, Price, Kinghorn
