Six Nations 2015: Dates, Times and Match Preview for Week 3 Fixtures

Table leaders England enter Week 3 of the 2015 Six Nations knowing full well that their trip to face Ireland in Dublin will make or break their move on the European title.

Stuart Lancaster's side face off against Joe Schmidt's men at the Aviva Stadium as the two in-form teams of the championship come together in a bid to separate the wheat from the chaff.

France and Wales will also look to pull away from each other in Paris next Saturday, heading to the Stade de France with one win and one loss apiece, while Scotland and Italy meet in a battle to avoid last place.

Read on for a look ahead to the Week 3 schedule, including dates, times and match preview for the most highly anticipated weekend of the Six Nations yet.

Position	Team	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	Tries	Points
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

Date	Time	Home	vs.	Away
Saturday, February 28	2:30 p.m. GMT/9:30 a.m. ET	Scotland	vs.	Italy
Saturday, February 28	6 p.m. GMT/1 p.m. ET	France	vs.	Wales
Sunday, March 1	3 p.m. GMT/10 a.m. ET	Ireland	vs.	England

Scotland vs. Italy

Still to claim a point between them, Scotland will play host to Italy on Saturday in a familiar tale of the wooden-spoon favourites.

Vern Cotter's side can count themselves somewhat unfortunate in that regard, having shown some ferocity in their defeats to France and Wales, losing by seven points and three points, respectively.

David Rogers/Getty Images

Unfortunately for the Scots, coming close counts for naught in the Six Nations, but pride can be salvaged with a more confident display against the Azzurri, who lost 34-10 on their last trip to Murrayfield in 2013.

BBC Wales Sport confirmed fly-half Finn Russell will be suspended for the fixture following his dangerous challenge on Wales' Dan Biggar, but ESPN Scrum says the Scots hope to win an appeal:

Even without the Glasgow Warriors star, Scotland should be able to overcome the threat Jacques Brunel's men bring to Edinburgh, but Russell would undoubtedly be a significant loss.

The defeat to Wales was a frustrating one for Scotland in terms of chances created compared to those converted. However, Italy's susceptible defence leaves the hosts with another chance to stamp their mark and show the world they are an improved outfit.

France vs. Wales

Michael Steele/Getty Images

Realistically speaking, neither France nor Wales may count their chances of winning the Six Nations title as particularly promising, but their fates will be decided in Paris this Saturday.

Sitting on two points apiece, both sides have mixed hopes in the tournament, but Sir Ian McGeechan writes for The Telegraph that Les Bleus will triumph—as long as Morgan Parra starts at scrum-half:

Warren Gatland's side were clinical in their assault against Scotland in Week 2, taking their chances well despite assuming their advantage mainly when the Scots were reduced to 14 men.

The Welsh back line needs to improve, but No. 8 Taulupe Faletau is expecting a tough duel between the packs, as quoted by Andy Howell of WalesOnline:

"

We accept any challenge that is put out there for us. We will not back down from anything. That is the character throughout the squad. France are going to be dangerous. We have to try to match that and come away with a win. Any game is a tough one in the Six Nations. It is going to be tough but the boys are hoping for another win.

The French were outstanding in the second-half against Ireland. They came flying out of the blocks and were unlucky not to come away with the win. France are always dangerous from everywhere and you don’t really know what is going to happen until you are on the pitch. The flair is still there and they are as dangerous as ever.

"

Parra could be one of a few significant changes for Philippe Saint-Andre, who also has to replace suspended lock Pascal Pape for another new-look lineup.

Meanwhile, there will be a lot of interest to see if Alex Cuthbert or Liam Williams retains his spot in Gatland's back three, with George North set to make his return from concussion.

Ireland vs. England

Stu Forster/Getty Images

The biggest prospect in Week 3 will be that of the fireworks set to go off at the Aviva Stadium, where Ireland and England are sure to put on a rugby spectacle that goes down in Six Nations lore.

The contest between these two sides is always a heated one, but the prize on the line this time around is as big as ever, with The Telegraph reporting Mike Brown could be ready to return at full-back following his concussion against Italy:

Brown could be one component in an improving English back line that houses the free-scoring talent of Jonathan Joseph and Bath's Anthony Watson, two weapons the Irish will need to cage if they're to succeed at home.

There will, of course, also be a big focus on the struggle between fly-halves Johnny Sexton and George Ford. Ireland defence coach Les Kiss has spoken of the "scary relationship" Ford holds with his midfield, per Nick Purewal of the Irish Independent:

"

Our preparation starts with the analysis and that's been pretty scary with what they can do. If you look at that scary relationship in midfield with George Ford, and he has a relationship already with Watson and Joseph, those types of combinations seem to be coming through for them nicely.

I think also their back row has been brilliant, James Haskell and Billy Vunipola are big threats and Chris Robshaw is excellent. The momentum that they give them is critical for them and they can take the ball deep and still make yards.

"

Ford's start to international rugby has been nothing short of sensational, but he comes up against a tried and tested asset in Sexton, whose forward line promises to give him a reliable shield at all times.

Schmidt's side played with their backs to the wall against France and survived, but they'll need to take the front foot more against the English, who won't be as forgiving if given their chances to put the ball through hands.