Six Nations 2015: Schedule, Team News and Latest Odds for Round 3
The European spotlight returns to international matters this weekend as the Six Nations representatives look to resume their bids for the 2015 title following a deserved week's rest.
Some teams have come back from a week of club rugby in better shape than others, however, ahead of what promises to be the most significant round of this year's tournament.
Ireland and England's clash in Dublin has the potential to be a title decider, while France and Wales prepare to collide with intentions of reigniting their campaigns.
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Read on for a breakdown of the latest team news for each tie, along with Week 3 schedule and title odds.
| 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 |
| England | 8-11 |
| Ireland | 6-4 |
| Wales | 12-1 |
| France | 16- |
| Scotland | 250-1 |
| Italy | 5,000-1 |
Team News
Scotland vs. Italy
Scotland were left disappointed on Wednesday after it was announced by BBC Sport Scotland that Finn Russell would see his ban upheld for this weekend's clash against Italy:
Vern Cotter will be forced to switch up his back line as a result of the suspension, with Russell a notable absence after just managing to find some fortune in the No. 10 jersey.
The announcement followed the news that Italy prop Martin Castrogiovanni would miss out on the tie after being bit on the nose by a dog in a freak accident, per Irish Independent Sport:
Marco Bortolami is another experienced figure missing out for the Azzurri after leaving the defeat to England early, while Luca Morisi continues as the replacement at outside centre.
He's filling in for Michele Campagnaro, who's likely to miss the rest of the tournament. However, following a two-try display against England, journalist Brendan Gallagher rates the 24-year-old highly:
Euan Murray, a devout Catholic, is free to come back into the squad with Week 3's tie taking place on a Saturday, giving Cotter a welcome boost in the front row.
France vs. Wales
Philippe Saint-Andre has a selection of changes to contemplate heading into a crucial encounter with a Welsh side sitting level on points with France.
Morgan Parra has overcome a bruised shin suffered during his return to the club stage, while Romain Taofifenua is the man to start in place of the suspended Pascal Pape.
Rory Kockott drops out of the squad altogether as Sebastien Tillous-Borde comes onto the bench as Parra's cover, while Remi Lamerat starts in place of Mathieu Bastareaud.
ESPN Scrum confirmed that Bastareaud's poor form of late was enough for Saint-Andre to bench his bruiser, with Sofiane Guitoune added to the left wing in Teddy Thomas' place:
Brice Dulin is another change in place of Scott Spedding, but Warren Gatland has a clean bill of health to select from ahead of the Paris tie.
Ex-Wales captain Gareth Thomas is surprised to see George North in the team following his return from concussion, per BBC Wales Sport, with Liam Williams retained instead of Alex Cuthbert:
Aside from that, Luke Charteris has been picked ahead of Jake Ball, with Bradley Davies selected to provide the cover at lock.
Ireland vs. England
England full-back Mike Brown looked set to return from concussion in time for the key collision against Ireland, but BBC Sport confirmed on Wednesday a setback will sideline the Harlequins star:
Meanwhile, Cian Healy feels confident ahead of what would be his first start of the tournament, should coach Joe Schmidt deem him fit to replace Jack McGrath:
Stuart Lancaster can look to Alex Goode to come in at 15 following the loss of Brown, with the Aviva Premiership's Paul Morgan tipping the Saracens star to succeed:
Jamie Heaslip begins his spell on the sidelines after suffering broken vertebrae thanks to the knee of Pape, but Conor Murray believes Jordi Murphy can come in as a worthy successor, per The42.ie:
"I worked with Jordi that week [before Rome] and just talked to him during and after training about the back of the scrum because he might need to flick the ball through his legs if things get messy or we might need to work on an eight-nine move down the right.
It’s just about prepping those scenarios and getting used to each other so if it’s Jordi again then it’s just about doing it again because it went well against Italy and there was a good understanding there.
"
This is a weekend where several of those key absences could come to play a huge part in who emerges from the Aviva triumphant, testing the depths of each squad.
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