Six Nations 2015: Latest Table Predictions for Round 3 Fixtures
Week 3 of this year's Six Nations will prove to be a decisive round in the hunt for the 2015 title, with table-toppers England travelling to face second-place Ireland, while France, third, play host to fourth-place Wales.
It may be a tad premature to proclaim the clash between Ireland and England will dictate who wins this year's crown, but the collision will certainly have a say in whether or not Joe Schmidt's men can retain their belt.
Meanwhile, Scotland await the challenge of Italy at Murrayfield with both teams still hoping to claim their first points of the tournament, where the loser will almost assuredly take home the Wooden Spoon.
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Read on for a look at the current standings and a glimpse ahead to how the standings may look after next weekend's clutch fixtures.
| 1 | England | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 68 | 33 | +35 | 8 | 4 |
| 2 | Ireland | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 44 | 14 | +30 | 2 | 4 |
| 3 | France | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 26 | 26 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 4 | Wales | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 42 | 44 | −2 | 3 | 2 |
| 5 | Scotland | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 31 | 41 | −10 | 3 | 0 |
| 6 | Italy | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 20 | 73 | −53 | 3 | 0 |
| Saturday, February 28 | 2:30 p.m. GMT/9:30 a.m. ET | Scotland | vs. | Italy | Scotland by 10 |
| Saturday, February 28 | 6 p.m. GMT/1 p.m. ET | France | vs. | Wales | France by 5 |
| Sunday, March 1 | 3 p.m. GMT/10 a.m. ET | Ireland | vs. | England | Ireland by 3 |
| 1 | Ireland | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | +38 | 5 | 6 |
| 2 | England | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | +27 | 9 | 4 |
| 3 | France | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | +5 | 3 | 4 |
| 4 | Wales | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -7 | 4 | 2 |
| 5 | Scotland | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 2 |
| 6 | Italy | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -63 | 4 | 0 |
All Eyes on Dublin Decider
A free-flowing England lineup will look to open up their stride once again at the Aviva Stadium next Sunday, with an impeccably disciplined Ireland hoping to fend off the challenge of their biggest title threat.
A new-look England back line has discovered another gear after two rounds of competition and although Ireland are yet to get up to full speed, the Dublin hosts proved against France that winning pretty is no necessity for success.
Schmidt's side have had a difficult time in unlocking their own back-line potential, but England's introduction of Bath trio Jonathan Joseph, George Ford and Anthony Watson has seen them excel in recent weeks.
That being side, Ireland centre Robbie Henshaw said Sunday's hosts can find that extra step against the English, per Gavin Mairs of the Telegraph:
"They’re going really well and they’ve unbelievable potential, especially in the back line. They’re a young, electric back line and really electric wingers so they’re going to really test us. We need to be as sharp as we can be.
We have a lot more to offer in terms of our attack and we’re really going to have a go at them this time. It’s on our soil and I think we’re not going to hold back.
"
Ireland have lost a major player in Jamie Heaslip after the No. 8 suffered vertebrae damage thanks to a knee in the back from French lock Pascal Pape, but Schmidt's pack depth is emerging as one of his squad's strengths.
England are also coming with a new, deeper pool of resources and the ability to overcome such key injuries in recent months has been hugely encouraging for Lancaster. Full-back Mike Brown suffered a concussion against Italy that could see him miss out on the third-round matchup.
In truth, this encounter could go in either direction and a huge portion of the battle will come down to which of the less-experienced players react better to the pressure.
Ex-England centre Will Greenwood is one of those looking forward to Sunday's tie:
Ireland's Week 2 meeting with Les Bleus was their first real test of the Six Nations and they struggled to withstand France's threat for great periods, but England bring an even bigger examination this week.
That being said, another fortnight of training will have done the Irish a world of good and Brown's loss at full-back could be a change which disrupts England's solidity at the back, with Watson in contention to replace him should he miss out.
Prediction: Ireland Win by 8
Squad Selection Key to Paris Clash
Both Warren Gatland and Philippe Saint-Andre face some difficult choices in the build-up to Wales' meeting against France this Saturday, where picking the optimum lineup will be pivotal to deciding a victor.
For Les Bleus, there will be more significant changes after BBC Wales Sport announced that Pape had received a 10-week ban for his knee on Heaslip, while Sebastian Tillous-Borde is back in the squad:
With Rory Kockott dropping out, Tillous-Borde will be in contention to start at scrum-half and Camille Lopez looks likely to stay in the No. 10 spot.
However, Sir Ian McGeechan wrote for the Telegraph that it's veteran Morgan Parra who should take the No. 9 jersey, having impressed following his introduction in the Week 2 defeat to Ireland:
Gatland should be able to call George North back into his XV after the Northampton Saints star missed out on the win over Scotland with concussion, with back-three changes the biggest of concerns.
Alex Cuthbert remains the most likely candidate to be dropped if Liam Williams is to start for Wales, either on the wing himself or with Leigh Halfpenny moving out wide. Ex-Wales flanker Martyn Williams says Cuthbert could benefit from some time on the sidelines:
With so many changes afoot, it's difficult to ascertain which team will come out on top at the Stade de France, but Wales showed an improved edge in chance conversion en route to a 26-23 beating of the Scots last time out.
That being said, Les Bleus were successful in fending off the Scottish threat themselves several weeks ago and looked an improved side in Dublin. Stopping a stuttered Welsh back line will be crucial for the French, but they've got the potential to do so and can look to profit if they can correct some back-line inaccuracies of their own.
Prediction: France Win by 5
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