Six Nations 2015: Fixtures, Kick-off Times, Preview and Predictions for Round 3

The Six Nations titans are preparing to make their way back to the field after a deserved week's rest and Week 3 brings with it a schedule of fixtures that could themselves decide the final standings.

Reigning champions Ireland will play host to leaders England in a battle that could dictate who wins this year's title, while France and Wales will each attempt to keep their trophy ambitions alive in Paris.

Before those collisions, Italy will make the trip to Murrayfield as both they and Scotland go in search of their first points of the tournament.

Read on for further discussion of the third-round's closely drawn matchups, along with fixture times and predictions for who will emerge triumphant.

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

Scotland vs. Italy

Scotland received an odd boost on Sunday after it was revealed that Italy prop Martin Castrogiovanni had been ruled out of Saturday's tie following an unfortunate run-in with his friend's dog.

As Simon Thomas of the Western Mail detailed, the Azzurri scrum technician required 14 stitches on his nose after the incident, significantly weakening Jacques Brunel's pack:

Date	Time	Home	vs.	Away	Prediction
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

Scotland will have been looked upon as home favourites for the fixture after close defeats to France and Wales in the first two rounds, but Castrogiovanni's absence gives Vern Cotter's forwards further encouragement.

Speaking to BBC Scotland (h/t BBC Sport) last week, flanker Rob Harley gave his verdict on what's being expected of the Murrayfield hosts leading up to their Week 3 outing:

"

I think there's going to be a massive expectation. We've not got the results we wanted from the first two games, so it puts pressure on us for the third match, but the advantage for us is a home crowd.

I think probably most guys in the squad would want to go out right now if we had the option. But in some ways the two weeks will be good; we'll get the bodies healed up and use them so that, come Italy, we're fully prepared.

"

Another potentially damaging loss for Italy will be that of Michele Campagnaro at centre, and despite Luca Morisi's impressive two-try performance against Italy, Scotland's back-line weapons are an improving bunch.

Following the profligate display against Wales, chance conversion will be a major area in which the Scots seek to improve this week. However, Italy don't have the same defensive stature as their Welsh counterparts and Scotland should be able to cross the line with more ease.

Prediction: Scotland win by 10

France vs. Wales

Sitting level on two points apiece, France and Wales will duel for the right to keep alive any fleeting hopes of a 2015 title challenge, having each already suffered defeat in this year's Six Nations.

Warren Gatland's squad is in good shape to take on Les Bleus, too, after coach Shaun Edwards was quoted by BBC Wales Sport as saying there are no injuries to consider ahead of their trip to Paris:

David Rogers/Getty Images

Philippe Saint-Andre, on the other hand, is expecting to make changes for the Week 3 contest, with scrum-half Sebastien Tillous-Borde expected to replace Rory Kockott and Pascap Pape fresh into his 10-week suspension.

Clermont's Morgan Parra may be expected to start for France following a game-changing substitute appearance against Ireland, but Planet Rugby reported the playmaker is a doubt to face Wales after picking up a bruised shin:

Both France and Wales have failed to hit top speed so far in the competition, but France can be hopeful that home advantage will give them the drive needed for another stingy display in the French capital.

The kickers will be key at the Stade de France as Camille Lopez looks to continue steering Saint-Andre's men with his boot, but Leigh Halfpenny will also be eager to take the slightest sniff at goal should the French pack waver in the penalty count.

Prediction: France win by 5

Ireland vs. England

Last but certainly not least on the Week 3 slate is the battle of the top two at the Aviva Stadium, where an improving England team will seek to make it four wins in as many years against Ireland.

Stuart Lancaster's men were responsible for Joe Schmidt's only defeat in last year's competition, but the England coach may have to deal without Mike Brown, who suffered a setback in his recovery from a concussion suffered against Italy in Round 2, per Chris Jones of Radio 5 live.

It's no secret that Jonathan Joseph and Luther Burrell are the Six Nations centre partnership to watch right now, the former having scored three tries in his first two tournament appearances.

However, the Irish are looking to unlock the potential of Jared Payne and Robbie Henshaw, their own new-look 12 and 13 tandem, with Kiwi Payne quoted by The42 of his hopes of excelling in the green jersey:

"

We probably screwed up a few chances at the weekend [against France]. Obviously Johnny and myself, that wee pass there, we didn’t finish that off and it was quite disappointing. There was another couple of opportunities that we identified in the review that we didn’t take. I think we’re creating them, we’ve just got to be a bit better at going to the space when it’s there.

[..,]

You’ve got to get used to playing with anyone, don’t you? The more you play with them, the quicker you pick up on what they might do. You’ve got more of an idea of what they might do in certain areas, so there is a bit of that. Each week we [himself and Henshaw] seem to be learning something different about the other person, which is good. Hopefully we can continue to improve and grow that partnership.

"

England can be hopeful in that Joseph and Burrell are one of two players to have already impressed in this tournament, but Ireland have won playing badly at times, which is often seen as a key trait in title-winning teams.

If Schmidt's side can maintain the same stubborn defence shown against France while freeing up their back-line potential, we could see a very different Ireland team in Dublin, with a lot of pressure on England to ensure their standards sit highly once again.

The fixture is full of world-class battles, with Johnny Sexton and George Ford making for an intriguing duel at fly-half and the packs as collectives poised to collide in spectacular fashion.

Sunday's meeting is likely to be one of those where it simply comes down to who performs better on the day, but a two-week break will have done Ireland good and the encouragement of the Aviva could play its role in their stepping up to the plate.

Prediction: Ireland win by 3