Six Nations 2015: Round 2 Fixtures, Live Stream Schedule and Final Predictions
The Six Nations table is set for a huge overhaul in Round 2 of the 2015 contest, with current leaders Ireland looking to fend off the challenges of France and England in the hopes of retaining their place upon its perch.
Les Bleus travel to the Aviva Stadium this weekend having just about beaten Scotland in Paris last Saturday, seeking to improve against the defending champions and give their own title pursuit a much-needed jolt.
England, meanwhile, have eyes on the summit, too, and can afford to be more relaxed ahead of Saturday's Twickenham clash against Italy, having impressed with an opening victory against Wales
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Only one will end Week 2 atop the standings, however, and we forecast which teams will fare best in the coming matchups.
| Saturday, Feb. 14 | 2:30 p.m. GMT/9:30 a.m. ET | England | vs. | Italy | England by 25 | BBC Sport website (UK), SuperSport stream (SA) |
| Saturday, Feb. 14 | 5 p.m. GMT/12 p.m. ET | Ireland | vs. | France | Ireland by 5 | BBC Sport website (UK), SuperSport stream (SA) |
| Sunday, Feb. 15 | 3 p.m. GMT/10 a.m. ET | Scotland | vs. | Wales | Scotland by 5 | BBC Sport website (UK), SuperSport stream (SA) |
UK audiences can stream the Six Nations matches on the BBC Sport website, while some viewers in the southern hemisphere can watch via SuperSport's stream service.
England Shoot for Summit With Italy Demolition
It took England time to get up and running in Cardiff last week, but after succumbing to an early Welsh assault at the Millennium Stadium, Stuart Lancaster's men eventually found their stride in resounding fashion.
That performance was the kind of tough, hard-fought win upon which championships are built, but this Saturday's test against Italy promises to be an entirely different sort of examination.
Above all else, the win showed off what sterling depth in talent England possess, a pool of resources Italy certainly cannot compare to and which promises to be their undoing at Twickenham.
Speaking ahead of the Week 2 meeting, Lancaster insists his side will be treating the Azzurri like any other threat, however, per the Telegraph's Mick Cleary:
"There can’t be any complacency with the quality of players available or coming back from injury. You don’t win a World Cup with 15 players. You need strength in depth. You need that sense of competition. One of the tricks for me is to make sure when players come here to training they remain competitive, but put the shirt first so the competitiveness doesn’t become disruptive.
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The biggest positive of having so many new and less experienced players come into the squad is that no-one is resting on their laurels. Dave Attwood, Jonathan Joseph, James Haskell and George Kruis are just some of those with a point to prove.
That motivation in itself should see the English amass a big scoreline against the Italians, who were at times inept in attack when trying to break down Ireland's walls last week.
Prediction: England win by 25
Ireland Edge France in Frantic Fixture
Dublin will play host to two teams searching for improvements upon their respective Week 1 outings this Saturday. Ireland were lacking in inspiration en route to a 26-3 beating of Italy last Saturday, while France failed to put a try past Scotland's frustrating defence.
Philippe Saint-Andre's side aren't the same as the one that lost to Ireland in Week 5 of last year's competition, but Munster's Peter O'Mahony highlights the threat Les Bleus always bring, per the official Irish Rugby Twitter account:
The most talked-about subject for Joe Schmidt's side this week is the return of some big-name stars to the starting XV, as outlined by the Irish Independent:
Ian Keatley did a fine job of putting away his kicking opportunities against the Azzurri and finished with a 100 percent kicking record, but Sexton was the catalyst last year against Les Bleus, scoring two tries in Paris.
Of course, the same can't be expected this time around, but having such a classy figure in the No. 10 will undoubtedly unlock some of the fluidity that was most certainly lacking in Rome last week.
What's more, the added oomph of Heaslip and O'Brien in the back row will go a long way to combating one of the most physical packs in this tournament and should give Ireland the boost they require for a closely run victory.
Prediction: Ireland win by 5
Scotland Condemn Wales with Memorable Murrayfield Win
Back-to-back defeats in their opening two matches isn't a fate Wales would have contemplated coming into this year's Six Nations, but it's nonetheless a very real risk heading to Murrayfield on Sunday.
Warren Gatland's side started well enough against England, but impotence in attack is something Vern Cotter's men could capitalise upon, having shown against France in Week 1 just what a defensively tactile unit they can be.
Discovering that offensive momentum is something the Welsh will have to go about doing without the services of George North, however, who is replaced by Liam Williams after suffering concussion last weekend.
Matt Majendie of the Independent quotes Williams as saying he's ready to do his part on the wing, however, and his form for the Scarlets this season would certainly suggest as much:
"I just give 100 per cent. If that means I help the team then I’m happy to do so. If I happen to get hurt, so be it. It’s not something that bothers me. I do prefer playing No 15 but I’d play flanker or even hooker for Wales if it meant getting a game. I’m just happy to be in the team. Hopefully, I’ll go out and have a good game.
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Wales' pack built up a large part of the early dominance in last Friday's Millennium Stadium opener, but the Scots will be braced for impact in Edinburgh and threaten to disrupt Welsh plans once more.
Under Cotter, the Scots have discovered a less restrained attacking plan of their own, and as Wales Online highlights, full-back Stuart Hogg showed against Les Bleus that he's not one to give time on the ball:
With the French failing to cross the whitewash, wing replacement Dougie Fife scored the only try in Paris. Some may argue the Scots deserved to concede at least one try, but their ability to recover from seeming doom at times was encouraging.
For months now, Wales' back-line weapons have failed to reach their optimum, and Murrayfield doesn't appear the most likely venue for them to bloom.
Expect a physical, exhausting 80 minutes, where Scotland have the capacity to hold out against their rivals if they manage to spark an early lead.
Prediction: Scotland win by 5
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