In a dramatic 2024 Six Nations clash, France secured a…
Guinness Six Nations – Round 5 | Who’s playing, where to watch and latest predictions
Super Saturday is here…Six Nations Showdowns Set the Stage for Thrilling Finale
Wales vs Italy promises excitement, as Italy aims for a 4-try bonus to complicate Wales’ escape from last place. Wales needs to match Italy’s bonus and win by 6+ points to avoid the Wooden Spoon. Despite the potential shown, Wales’ recent losses dampen hopes against Italy’s vibrant attack. Wales, with home advantage, is predicted to narrowly win but stay at the table’s bottom.
In the Ireland vs Scotland match, Ireland is favored to clinch the Six Nations title, needing only a win or draw, minus the Grand Slam. Scotland seeks to uplift its lackluster campaign but likely won’t upset Ireland, who’s rebounding from a loss with expected vigor. Ireland is predicted to win decisively.
France vs England is marked by unpredictability, with France’s inconsistent brilliance and England’s recent upturn. Despite England’s slim title hopes, their continued momentum suggests a close victory over France.
What | Wales v Italy
Where | Principality Stadium (Cardiff)
When | 14:15, Saturday 16th March
How to watch | BBC1
Prediction | Italy by 3
In a pivotal clash at Cardiff this Saturday, Wales faces the formidable challenge of avoiding the dreaded Wooden Spoon in the Six Nations, a scenario they haven’t faced since 2003.
The Welsh team finds itself on the brink as they prepare to confront an in-form Italian squad, whose recent performances have dazzled fans and critics alike.
The Azzurri, fresh off a surprising victory against Scotland and a memorable win in their last Cardiff encounter, are looking to cement their resurgence on the international stage.
This match holds particular significance for Welsh winger George North, who announced his retirement from international duty earlier this week.
As he takes the field for his 121st cap, North, with an impressive tally of 47 tries – second only to the legendary Shane Williams in Welsh rugby history – aims to conclude his illustrious career with a memorable performance.
Italy’s journey to this point has been nothing short of remarkable. Just five months ago, the team faced severe criticism after conceding 156 points across two devastating World Cup losses to France and New Zealand.
However, the Azzurri have since staged a dramatic turnaround, now eyeing a fourth-place finish in the Six Nations – a feat they’ve achieved twice before in 2007 and 2013.
Depending on other results, Italy could even secure an unprecedented third-place finish, underscoring their impressive form. As Wales and Italy prepare for this crucial encounter, the stakes could not be higher. For Wales, it’s an opportunity to avoid a historical low in their storied rugby history.
For Italy, it’s a chance to continue their ascent and mark their highest Six Nations finish ever. The rugby world watches with bated breath as these two teams collide in what promises to be a compelling chapter in the Six Nations saga.
Last 5 Fixtures
01 FEB 2020 | WALES 42–0 ITALY
05 DEC 2020 | WALES 38–18 ITALY
13 MAR 2021 | ITALY 7–48 WALES
19 MAR 2022 | WALES 21–22 ITALY
11 MAR 2023 | ITALY 17–29 WALES
Teams
Wales
15-Winnett; 14-Adams, 13-North, 12-Tompkins, 11-Dyer; 10-Costelow, 9-Williams; 1-Thomas, 2-Dee, 3-Lewis, 4-Jenkins (capt), 5-Beard, 6-Mann, 7-Reffell, 8-Wainwright
Replacements: 16-Lloyd, 17-Mathias, 18-O’Connor, 19-Rowlands, 20-Martin, 21-Hardy, 22-Lloyd, 23-Grady.
Italy
15-Pani; 14-Lynagh, 13-Brex, 12-Menoncello, 11-Ioane; 10-Garbisi, 9-Varney; 1-Fischetti, 2-Nicotera, 3-Ferrari, 4-N Cannone, 5-Ruzza, 6-Negri, 7-Lamaro (capt), 8-L Cannone
Replacements: 16-Lucchesi, 17-Spagnolo, 18-Zilocchi, 19-Zambonin, 20-Vintcent, 21-Zuliani, 22-Page-Relo, 23-Marin
What | Ireland v Scotland
Where | Aviva Stadium (Dublin)
When | 16:45, Saturday 16th March
How to watch | ITV1
Prediction | Ireland by 12
The Aviva Stadium is set to be the battleground for a monumental clash this St Patrick’s weekend as Ireland looks to clinch the Six Nations title in a highly anticipated match against Scotland.
Riding on an impressive streak of 18 consecutive home victories, the Irish team is on the brink of retaining their championship, needing only to avoid defeat in the capital to secure their triumph.
Scotland, while their hopes for the title have dwindled following a narrow loss to Italy, still harbors ambitions of achieving their first Six Nations Triple Crown.
Victories against Wales and England earlier in the tournament have positioned Gregor Townsend’s squad as a formidable contender, despite the setback.
The Irish bid for a historic back-to-back Grand Slams was halted last week at Twickenham, yet the team remains in a strong position to retain their championship.
A victory or even a draw against Scotland would suffice for Ireland to keep their crown. Depending on the outcomes of other matches, securing a losing bonus point might also guarantee their success in the tournament.
As the defending champions aim for their 10th consecutive win against the Scots, Scotland is reminded of their last triumph in Dublin, a memory dating back to 2010.
The stakes are high as both teams prepare for a showdown that promises to captivate rugby fans worldwide, adding to the festive atmosphere of St Patrick’s weekend.
Last 5 Fixtures
05 DEC 2020 | IRELAND 31–16 SCOTLAND
14 MAR 2021|SCOTLAND 24–27 IRELAND
19 MAR 2022 | IRELAND 26–5 SCOTLAND
12 MAR 2023 |SCOTLAND 7–22 IRELAND
07 OCT 2023 | SCOTLAND 36–14 IRELAND
TEAMS
Ireland
15-Keenan; 14-Nash, 13-Henshaw, 12-Aki, 11-Lowe; 10-Crowley, 9-Gibson-Park; 1-Porter, 2-Sheehan, 3-Furlong, 4-McCarthy, 5-Beirne, 6-O’Mahony (capt), 7-Van der Flier, 8-Doris.
Replacements: 16-Kelleher, 17-Healy, 18-Bealham, 19-Baird, 20-Conan, 21-Murray, 22-Byrne, 23-Ringrose.
Scotland
15-Kinghorn; 14-Steyn, 13-Jones, 12-McDowall, 11-Van der Merwe; 10-Russell (co-capt), 9-White; 1-Schoeman, 2-Turner, 3-Z. Fagerson, 4-Gilchrist, 5-Cummings, 6-Christie, 7-Darge (co-capt), 8-Dempsey.
Replacements: 16-Ashman, 17-Sutherland, 18-Millar-Mills, 19-Skinner, 20-M. Fagerson, 21-Horne, 22-Redpath, 23-Rowe.
What | France v England
Where | Parc Olympique (Lyon)
When | 20:00, Saturday 16th March
How to watch | ITV1
Prediction | England by 3
England’s Title Hopes Hang by a Thread as They Face France in Lyon In the climactic final game of the 2024 Six Nations Championship this Saturday, England travels to Lyon with a glimmer of hope for clinching their first title since 2020 as they face off against France.
The stakes couldn’t be higher for the English team, who find themselves in a must-win scenario with an additional challenge of needing to score four tries to secure the championship, provided Ireland succumbs to Scotland without securing a bonus point.
France enters the fray buoyed by their record-breaking triumph over Wales last weekend, showcasing a return to peak form at a crucial juncture in the tournament.
In stark contrast, England has struggled to replicate such scoring prowess on French soil, having not crossed the four-try threshold in France since the year 1992.
England’s path to this potential victory has been marked by their commendable upset over Ireland at Twickenham, a game that derailed Ireland’s Grand Slam aspirations and kept English hopes alive for the Six Nations crown.
However, replicating such a performance will be paramount for England as they seek to overcome a historical hurdle; they have not savored victory in a Six Nations encounter in France since the year 2016.
Moreover, France’s emphatic 53-10 demolition of England at Twickenham last season not only handed England their heaviest home defeat in Test rugby but also etched a French record in this storied rivalry.
The French squad, while facing long odds, retains a mathematical possibility of snatching the title themselves. Yet, the fluctuating fortunes of this tournament could see them finish as low as fifth depending on other match outcomes. Regardless of the slim chances for trophy glory, the game’s significance remains undiminished.
A victory for France would secure them four consecutive championship home wins against England for the first time since 1972. Conversely, a defeat would mark a historic low for the French, as it would be the first time they’ve failed to win at home in a Six Nations campaign.
As the rugby world turns its eyes towards Lyon, both teams find themselves at a crossroads, with history, pride, and a chance for redemption all on the line in this grand Six Nations finale.
Last 5 Fixtures
02 FEB 2020 | FRANCE 24–17 ENGLAND
06 DEC 2020 | ENGLAND 22–19 FRANCE
13 MAR 2021 | ENGLAND 23–20 FRANCE
20 MAR 2022 | FRANCE 25–13 ENGLAND
11 MAR 2023 | ENGLAND 10–53 FRANCE
Teams
France
15-Barre, 14-Penaud, 13-Fickou, 12-Depoortere, 11-Bielle-Biarrey; 10-Ramos, 9-Le Garrec; 1-Baille, 2-Marchand, 3-Atonio, 4-Flament, 5-Meafou, 6-Cros, 7-Ollivon, 8-Alldritt (capt).
Replacements: 16-Mauvaka, 17-S. Taofifenua, 18-Colombe, 19-R. Taofifenua, 20-Roumat, 21-Boudehent, 22-Lucu, 23-Moefana.
England
15-Furbank, 14-Daly, 13-Slade, 12-Lawrence, 11-Freeman; 10-Ford, 9-Care; 1-Genge, 2- George (capt), 3-Cole, 4-Itoje, 5-Martin, 6-Chessum, 7-Underhill, 8-Earl.
Replacements: 16-Dan, 17-Marler, 18-Stuart, 19-Dombrandt, 20-, 21-Care, 22-Smith, 23-Tuilagi.
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