RBS 6 Nations 2016: 10 Storylines to Follow in Matchday 2

The 2016 Six Nations brought with it a long list of unanswered questions, some of which received answers in Matchday 1. However, Matchday 2 promises to open an even bigger can of worms as an already tight campaign advances this weekend.

Four months on from their 2015 Rugby World Cup clash, France and reigning Six Nations champions Ireland are braced to collide once again, while Scotland are in the hunt to avoid another embarrassment in Welsh territory.

England coach Eddie Jones also faces more tough decisions in who to pick for his side's trip to play Italy, as does France coach Guy Noves, who is still getting to grips with international management.

We've got all that and more to look forward to as we dissect the top 10 storylines heading into Matchday 2 of the 2016 Six Nations.

1. Scotland's Bad Millennium Stadium Memories

Many members of this current Scotland squad will undoubtedly remember the 51-3 blowout they suffered in their last trip to the Millennium Stadium in February 2014, a dark day in the country's recent history.

Star full-back Stuart Hogg has more reason than most to remember that result, considering it was his 22nd-minute red card for a late shoulder on Welsh out-half Dan Biggar that precipitated much of that doom.

Hogg is a different player now, and Scotland are a different team. Vern Cotter's side showed that in a close 15-9 defeat at home to England in Week 1, but they still need to show something more in attack to threaten a staunch Wales defence.

2. The Tullow Tank Makes His Return

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Ireland were significantly hurt in the back-row department for the 16-16 draw against Wales last Saturday, with Tommy O'Donnell and debutant CJ Stander stepping in for Sean O'Brien and Peter O'Mahony, respectively.

O'Mahony won't be back in time for the trip to Paris this Saturday, but the Irish Independent confirmed the Tullow Tank could be up for selection after he was recorded training in the week.

Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately) for O'Brien, there won't be a second-round matchup with Toulouse's Louis Picamoles after the No. 8 was ruled out for the rest of the tournament.

There's no doubt Joe Schmidt's men pose a much greater threat with O'Brien in the team, and he'll look to be instrumental against the French, just as he was when he was dubbed man of the match against Les Bleus in October.

3. Eddie Jones to Stick or Switch?

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Despite all the anticipation of what changes Jones could make to the England side, his XV for the win over Scotland last Saturday ended up largely resembling a team predecessor Stuart Lancaster might have fielded.

The changes could be rung for Sunday's trip to Italy, however, and the Daily Star's Pete Samson reported Mako Vunipola could start in place of Joe Marler to give him just his second Test start alongside brother Billy.

Neil Squires of the Daily Express added that youngsters such as Maro Itoje, Jack Clifford and Paul Hill could be given a look-in at the starting setup in what's being viewed as a chance for experimentation.

Jones would be left red-faced if his plan were to backfire so much that a result is in danger, but this could well be his chance to take big risks in his hunt to unearth a new factory line of English gems.

4. Scotland Fighting for Freedom

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Not for lack of trying, Scotland were suffocated consistently by England at Murrayfield last Saturday in a collision that proved Cotter's side still have some work to do in threatening the world's elite without leaving themselves open.

It was perhaps summed up best when fly-half Finn Russell picked off a Ben Youngs pass with full-back Hogg screeching to his left, only to panic at the first sign of space and skew a kick into touch.

Scotland travel to Wales this weekend with very little pressure on their shoulders, and they are bidding to exorcise some demons as they look to open up one of the best defences in the world at present.

5. Jules Plisson to Take over French Kicking Duties?

Sebastien Bezy enjoyed an impressive enough Test debut in Paris last Saturday, but the scrum-half evidently left his kicking boots at the Stade de France door after missing his first three attempts at goal.

Fly-half Jules Plisson took over and proceeded to nail most of his efforts in front of the posts, not to mention converting a 75th-minute penalty from around 50 metres out to ultimately seal the points for his side.

Noves surely has to shun France's tradition of giving scrum-halves precedency at kicking and place his trust in Stade Francais man Plisson as the figure to lead Les Bleus on from the tee.

6. Will Virimi Vakatawa Maintain His Stellar Test Start?

Another upstart who was highly impressive in his debut for the French national team was sevens superstar Virimi Vakatawa, who appears to be successfully translating his skills from one rugby code to another.

Despite not playing a game of 15-a-side at the professional level since his days at Racing 92 in 2013, the winger—currently without a club—provided a rare bright spark in the French backline at times against Italy.

It took Vakatawa just 13 minutes of his debut to get his first France try, but bigger tests lie in wait, and the question now is whether his rise through rugby's ranks can be sustained against Ireland.

7. Can Rhys Priestland Fill Any Dan Biggar Void?

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What originally were high hopes for a Welsh title challenge at this year's Six Nations quickly looked to have taken a turn for the worse when Ospreys fly-half Biggar had to be withdrawn early in the draw against Ireland.

His ankle knock looked serious enough that it might sideline Biggar for Saturday's meeting with the Scots, but the Welsh Rugby Union has since revealed he has made "excellent progress" with the injury, per the Guardian:

"

Dan Biggar has made excellent progress with his recovery following the ankle injury sustained against Ireland on Sunday. Indications are that the injury is not considered long term and decisions over his availability for this weekend will be made later in the week. The squad meet back up tomorrow [Wednesday] to prepare for the clash against Scotland at Principality Stadium on Saturday.

"

Rhys Priestland was largely impressive after he came on to replace Biggar at the Aviva Stadium, and the Bath man slotted three penalties and a conversion as he recorded all but five of Wales' points last Sunday.

A decision on Biggar's involvement against the Scots is expected on Thursday, but fans will ask whether Wales are anywhere close to being as functional in attack if Priestland has to deputise at No. 10 from the start.

8. Hooker Head-to-Head in Paris

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Three new captains came into this year's Six Nations, all of whom are hookers, and two of those will collide in Paris on Saturday as Guilhem Guirado and Rory Best look to maintain their unbeaten starts to the competition.

The set-piece battle set to unfold at the Stade de France will be particularly fierce, too, as Ireland look to develop a driving maul as threatening as was seen under retired captain Paul O'Connell.

Les Bleus endured a patchy showing against the Azzurri, but a fully functioning lineout was one of their brighter areas, and two very mobile No. 2s will engage in a pitch-wide war come Saturday.

9. Italy on the Up

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Hopes don't look high for Italy coming into Sunday's match at the Stadio Olimpico, considering the Azzurri have lost all 21 matches they've played against England, conceding at least 47 points in each of their last two meetings.

That being said, Jacques Brunel's men should really have beaten France in their last outing, and were it not for Plisson's kicking improvement and a few wasted chances, they could be second in the standings right now.

It's time to ask the question of whether that was due to Noves' France playing badly or Italy performing well in Paris, and Sunday's England encounter will provide us with a better answer.

10. French Redemption

It may have been Philippe Saint-Andre's side that suffered a 24-9 defeat to Ireland in the pool stage of last year's World Cup, but many in the squad will still feel the bruises of that defeat under Noves.

Captain Guirado was one of those present on the day, when despite starting strongly, France were eventually trod into the Millennium Stadium dirt as second-half tries from Rob Kearney and Conor Murray lifted the Boys in Green.

The evidence in Week 1 suggested it may be too early to expect a title challenge from Noves' men, but revenge over an Irish side in transition at the Stade de France would go a long way to furthering their campaign.