Six Nations Table 2015: Updated Standings, Odds and Remaining Fixtures
The Six Nations plot thickened on Saturday as Wales dented Ireland's chances of a successive championship campaign.
Leigh Halfpenny lead his country to victory as the Welsh captured the win by 23-16 in Cardiff.
And England reaffirmed their own title credentials after their recent disappointment at the hands of the Irish, as they defeated Scotland 25-13 to claim the Calcutta Cup.
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Here are the current standings in the Six Nations race, including the latest odds on who will capture the championship, with the remaining fixtures of the competition:
| 1 | England | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 102 | 65 | 6 |
| 2 | Ireland | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 79 | 46 | 6 |
| 3 | Wales | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 85 | 73 | 6 |
| 4 | France | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 39 | 46 | 2 |
| 5 | Italy | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 42 | 92 | 2 |
| 6 | Scotland | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 63 | 88 | 0 |
| England | 7-9 |
| Ireland | 15-8 |
| Wales | 10-1 |
| France | 750-1 |
| Italy | 2000-1 |
| Scotland | N/A |
| Sunday, Mar 15 | 3 p.m. | Italy v France |
| Saturday, Mar 21 | 12.30 p.m. | Italy v Wales |
| 2.30 p.m. | Scotland v Ireland | |
| 5 p.m. | England v France |
Final Weekend Promising to Be a Classic
The Six Nations has sped by this season, with four teams still likely to have a chance of winning the 2015 crown on the final day.
England are the current leaders after their success against Scotland but their points difference is just four better than reigning champions Ireland.
Ireland know that a crushing win over Scotland in their final match could see the English fall at their feet, even if the frontrunners are successful in their last gambit against France at Twickenham.
Wales are also tied at the top on six points, but they will have to rely on results elsewhere to grab an unlikely title victory.
Currently, their points difference is only plus-eight, and they need a positive result against Italy—with the French and the Scots having to do them a huge combination of favours.
But England are the rightful favourites with the bookies at 7-9, with the Scots being a difficult team to score points against this term, making the Irish task very difficult.
Ireland are more known for their tough rugby than free scoring qualities, and this gives England a huge shot in the arm.
The Irish showed their dogged nature in their recent defeat of the English, who simply could not live with the champions on the day, with their personal inexperience manifesting in the game.
France are expected to beat Italy on Sunday and give themselves the slimmest opportunity of a Six Nations title upset, but they must first slay the Italians by a huge total.
They will have to run-in a 50 point victory to have a realistic chance of winning the championship on the final day of the competition.
England will be disappointed to not have won the Calcutta Cup in a more emphatic manner, edging the tie by 12 points, and they may yet come to regret this.
Stuart Lancaster's team inexplicably trailed Scotland at the break, with the BBC's Tom Fordyce highlighting England's lack of attacking verve during the tie:
The French will pose a difficult object for England to hurdle past, but this is the kind of test they need before a home World Cup commences.
George Ford has settled in well at No. 10, and he controlled the second half against the Scots, just when his team needed him the most.
The threat of Mike Brown will also give England the edge next Saturday, and if the full back plays to his highest standard, France will be on the back foot for most of the game.
This is a championship that is there for England to lose, and they know they cannot rely on Scotland to do them any favours when they visit the Shamrock.
Ireland's odds are as short as 15-8 to win the Six Nations, proving the task has not been achieved by Lancaster's side just yet.
England need to show their immense class with ball in hand and prove they are the northern hemisphere's best international team.
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