The 2025 Six Nations championship reaches its dramatic conclusion this weekend with three teams still in contention for the title.
Ireland, France, and England all have realistic chances of lifting the trophy on 'Super Saturday' and fans are in for a treat with three back-to-back matches to decide the championship.
The action kicks off in Rome before moving to Cardiff and climaxing in Paris.
Reigning champions Ireland currently sit third, but can reclaim top spot with a win over Italy at Stadio Olimpico.
England travel to Principality Stadium knowing a victory over Wales could see them crowned champions for the first time since 2020.
But, ultimately, France hold their destiny in their own hands and will claim the title with a bonus point win over Scotland at Stade de France.
- IRELAND -20 ON HANDICAP VS ITALY
- ENGLAND TO WIN BY 1-12 POINTS VS WALES
- FRANCE VS SCOTLAND OVER 64.5 TOTAL POINTS
Ireland Aim for Roman Conquest
Ireland's title defence hit a speed bump with defeat at home to France last weekend, but Simon Easterby’s men remain firmly in the hunt as they head to Rome.
The Irish have dominated this fixture in recent years, winning their last 11 encounters with Italy by an average margin of 32 points.
Italy showed early promise with victory over Wales, but heavy losses to England and France have seen them slip to fifth. The Azzurri will be desperate to avoid the wooden spoon, but face a daunting task against an Irish side with a point to prove.
Ireland know only a bonus-point win will do to keep their championship hopes alive, so we can expect them to come out firing from the first whistle as they chase the four tries needed to secure maximum points.
The visitors are set to make a handful of changes, with Jack Crowley returning at fly-half and Garry Ringrose in line to start at outside centre after returning from suspension.
James Lowe and Mack Hansen are looking good to return on the wings, while Tadhg Furlong will be back on the bench, where Peter O’Mahony, Conor Murray, and Cian Healy will begin their final game for Ireland if selected.
The fresh legs should test Italy's porous defence that shipped 11 tries against France and, while the Azzurri are usually fired up to play on home soil, it's hard to see them containing Ireland's multi-faceted attack for 80 minutes.
The handicap line of 20 points looks within reach for an Irish side that has won seven of their last eight away games in the Six Nations. Back Ireland to cover the spread and keep their title hopes intact.
IRELAND -20
England Face Welsh Dragon in Cardiff Cauldron
The stage is set for a classic Anglo-Welsh clash as England travel to Cardiff with their championship ambitions hanging in the balance. Steve Borthwick's men sit second and know a bonus-point win could see them leapfrog France, depending on results elsewhere.
Wales may be winless, but they'll be desperate to avoid the wooden spoon and deny their fierce rivals in front of a partisan Principality Stadium crowd.
Despite their struggles, Matt Sherratt’s men have shown flashes of quality and will relish the opportunity to play spoiler.
England have made four changes from the side that defeated Italy, with Luke Cowan-Dickie, Marcus Smith, Tom Roebuck, and Ben Curry all drafted into the starting XV.
The inclusion of Smith at full-back adds an extra attacking dimension, while the Curry twins reunite in a dynamic back row.
Wales have struggled for consistency but pushed Ireland close in Dublin and will fancy their chances of an upset on home turf.
The electric atmosphere in Cardiff has often proved England's undoing, with the visitors winning just two of their last seven visits.
While the Red Rose should have too much quality, expect a ferocious Welsh performance to keep things tight.
The last eight meetings between these sides in Cardiff have been decided by 12 points or fewer, suggesting another close encounter is on the cards.
Back England to edge a nail-biter, but Wales with a healthy handicap start also appeals given their home advantage and desperation to avoid the wooden spoon.
ENGLAND TO WIN BY 1-12 POINTS
France And Scotland To Light Up Parisian Showdown
The tournament reaches its crescendo in Paris as pacesetters France host Scotland in a potential title decider.
Les Bleus know victory will secure the championship, while the Scots are not mathematically out of contention for glory, albeit they need an awful lot to go their way.
France bounced back from their mid-campaign defeat at Twickenham with a ruthless 11-try demolition of Italy and carried that momentum forward into a dashing display in Dublin.
There was anger in the French camp after the 42-27 win following the loss of their talismanic scrum-half Antoine Dupont to a serious knee injury,
Bordeaux’s Maxime Lucu, who played well after replacing him last week, is likely to be Romain Ntamack’s half-back partner at Stade de France
Scotland's campaign has been a tale of near misses, with narrow defeats to Ireland and England leaving them frustrated. Gregor Townsend's men have shown flashes of inspiration but lack the clinical edge to put teams away.
This fixture has produced some thrilling encounters in recent years, with five of the last seven meetings decided by seven points or fewer. Scotland famously ended their 22-year wait for a win in Paris in 2021 and will be eyeing another upset.
However, France's formidable home record and championship motivation should see them over the line. Les Bleus have won 14 of their last 15 Six Nations matches in Paris, with their only defeat coming against England in 2020.
And there could be plenty of points in the game if these teams pick up where they left off last week. France have crossed the whitewash 26 times in their four matches and will comfortably break the record for tries scored in a single campaign (29) if they continue at their current pace.
Meanwhile, should the title race come down to points difference, France have a huge advantage having accumulated an incredible tally of +106, compared to England’s +20, Ireland's +13 and Scotland's +3.
OVER 64.5 TOTAL POINTS
