Its the midway point in this years tournament and after this round of games we should know who has a chance of finishing at the top and who is fighting to avoid the wooden spoon. So as always I’ll take the games in order of play.
Italy vs Wales, Saturday 2.30pm
In Rome I think we will see an unchanged Wales offer more after their confidence boosting win in Paris. With Parisse out for Italy they will miss their world class key man particularly for go forward. Wales should have too much behind the scrum as Italy chop and change their half backs once again.
I’ll take the visitors by 8-10.
England vs France, Saturday 5pm
At HQ it looks like France have finally picked the players we see perform well in the Heineken Cup. Picamoles must exploit the strange decision to pick Lawes on the blindside and whilst France are predictable, there are too many changes to see France really push a confident England close. England are settled, organised and confident and I think the English intensity will see a comfortable win.
Key man Owen Farrell to put England well out of reach in a win of 12-14 points.
Scotland vs Ireland, Sunday 2pm
Finally to Sunday and perhaps the most difficult game to call. Scotland are confident after putting Italy away whilst Ireland were naive in the extreme against England last time out. Looking at games between the two at Murrayfield, they have been tight with Ireland shading some recent tight games. If Scotland can win some decent ball then I think we may see the likes of Visser, Maitland and Hogg continue to provide a decent cutting edge. For Ireland they need their big names to provide the leadership. Heaslip needs to forget his nightmare of two weeks ago but he’ll need other experienced players to show their mettle. Two young fly halfs and goal kicking could hold the key.
I’ll say Scotland to win by 3-5.
