Six Nations: France can continue march towards Slam in Scotland

Ahead of another Six Nations weekend, here's a detailed look at how all three games could play out.

Scotland vs France

Saturday 26 February, 2.15pm, BBC1

France head to Murrayfield as the only team still with a chance of completing a Grand Slam, but a fired-up Scotland await, and they have proven to be a bogey team for Les Bleus in recent years.  

A packed Stade de France roared the French to a thrilling victory over Ireland last time out, in a game widely billed as a potential Championship decider.

France showcased force and flair with some sumptuous tries, but it wasn’t a faultless display as they allowed a 15-point lead to be cut to one point in the space of five second-half minutes, before pulling away.

Fabien Galthie’s side are now huge favourites to land their first Six Nations title since 2010, but there will be no room for complacency in Edinburgh, as their recent record against the Scots attests. Scotland have won three of their last four Six Nations meetings, including the last two.

Gregor Townsend’s players have a point to prove in front of their home crowd after a gut-wrenching narrow defeat in Wales, when they failed to follow up an impressive opening day Calcutta Cup win over England.  

This year’s Championship has offered a reminder of the benefits of home advantage – that Welsh victory at the Principality being a prime example – but one concern for Scottish hopes is a growing injury list.

Jonny Gray, Cameron Redpath, Scott Cummings, Rory Sutherland and Matt Fagerson have now joined Jamie Ritchie on the sidelines.

France are missing wing Gabin Villiere, the tournament’s top try scorer after his hat-trick against Italy, but Jonathan Danty is back to replace him in their only change from the win in Ireland.

Expect a close contest, with a vocal Murrayfield crowd urging their team forward, but this high-flying, settled French team should have enough to take another step towards the Grand Slam.

Recommended bet: France @ 1.44

England will be hoping to follow up victory over Italy by beating Wales at Twickenham

England vs Wales

Saturday 26 February, 4.45pm, ITV1

The mood in the English and Welsh camps has been brighter ahead of their meeting at Twickenham, after both sides responded to opening day defeats with round two victories.

Wales edged past Scotland and England racked up a big win in Italy to restore hopes of a successful campaign, and both teams have since been boosted by welcome news on the injury front.

Manu Tuilagi’s return to fitness is a huge boost for Eddie Jones, solving something of a conundrum in the England midfield, while Courtney Lawes is back to bolster the pack and captain the side.

Wales can count on the quality and experience of fit-again Taulupe Faletau from the start, but they remain without a string of key players against an English side that now looks healthier than ever and is aiming to put on a show in their first home game of the Championship.

England attack coach Martin Gleeson said: “we have been treating it like a quarter-final all week” and added that the approach will be to “go after Wales”.  

The battle between a young fly-half at the start of his international career, Marcus Smith, and a veteran Wales and British and Irish Lion like Dan Biggar promises to provide a fascinating sub-plot.

Wayne Pivac’s side will be hoping for an improved away day after their heavy defeat to Ireland in week one, and undoubtedly head to London as underdogs.

With big-name players returning, a home crowd for the first time this year and a morale-boosting trip to Rome fresh in the memory, it’s hard to look past a comfortable English win.

Recommended bet: England on Asian Handicap -11.5 @ 1.68

Ireland vs Italy

Sunday 27 February, 3pm, ITV1

Ireland’s defeat in Paris may have ended their Grand Slam dream, but the title is still very much up for grabs, and the Dublin crowd will expect a big win against the Azzurri.

Italy’s organisation may have improved but back-to-back heavy defeats, and their failure to even register a point at home to England last time out, has seen their worthiness of a place in the tournament be called into question once again.

There has been some good news to cheer Ireland fans since their trip to Paris, as captain Johnny Sexton has recovered from the hamstring strain that ruled him out of that game and wing James Lowe is back after injury.

Sexton is set to reclaim the number 10 shirt after admitting he is “not the best spectator”, despite some suggestions that Carbery’s encouraging debut could see the Munster man keep his place for what is sure to be the simplest task of Ireland’s campaign.   

It will be all about performance levels for Italy once again as they look to make progress with their young squad, but a trip to the Aviva is as tough as it comes in this sport and another heavy defeat almost certainly awaits.

Recommended bet: Ireland on Asian Handicap -35.5 @ 1.72

Recommended Bets

France @ 1.43

England -11.5 @ 1.63

Ireland -35.5 @ 1.72