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!
Wales looking well up for this @tamps@feddit.uk - hopefully Scotland can keep it within seven at the break! Scotland are not winning any collisions
It's been a bruising 1st half! Good intensity. If we keep going at that tempo, will be interesting to see how conditioning holds up and what role the bench is going to play. Love it. All to play for.