First weekend with no rest week, squad depth to be tested, injuries rates on the lower ranked to be keenly felt this weekend.
England vs Ireland first up, both on a win and a loss and both needing this to keep their championship hopes alive! Dublin will be buzzing, with Irish expectations that England are now vulberable, but for anyone who watched Squidge this week: England are far from it!
Then Wales vs Scotland for the Saturday evening match. And the smart money is on Scotland here, but Wales will have watched that Scotland v Italy match and will he targetting this match now. Wales haven't had a 6n win in years now, it has to happen at some stage, and Scotland's record in Cardiff is abysmal. Banana skin for Scotland for sure
Then we have France vs Italy and this should see France rotating and Italy looking to minimise championship points imo. Would be a high scoring affair I suspect, with both teams getting it wide and putting those backs in plenty, but the weather says otherwise! Bucketing it down in Paris, and how did Italy do in similar conditions 2 weeks ago? A close affair here, let's see if Italy can defy the pundits?
As always, pics, reactions, predictions all appreciated. And do your kicktipp!
Borthwick to be out of a job before Townsend given this first half in Dublin!
Just tuning in! Seems like Ireland have got this unless they do something very silly in the next 30 mins.
Ha! Just jinxed them. '53 and England score a try and Ireland have a man in the bin.
Alright, Ireland just scored another try. 14-42 and ten minutes left.
(as I write this, Marcus Smith almost scores a try off an interception. But is impressively tracked down and tackled!)