RBS 6 Nations 2016: 5 Bold Predictions for Matchday 2

RBS Six Nations Matchday 2 sees France against Ireland, Wales face Scotland and Italy host England. So where will the shocks come from? Which teams will perform a lot better than many expect? Whose traditional dominance up front is under threat? And which rugby play seems to be on the cusp of a revival?

Here are Bleacher Reports five bold predictions for RBS Six Nations Matchday 2.

Italy to Come Very Close to Beating England in Rome

Italy have never beaten England, but they came close in Rome four years ago, when a Charlie Hodgson charge-down try gave England a 15-19 win. Fast forward to 2016, and a similar pattern could repeat itself.

As was the case in 2012, England travel to Italy with a new coach and captain on the back of a scrappy but effective display at Murrayfield. They will also repeat the style of the early Stuart Lancaster era by playing two playmakers at the Stadio Olimpico, with Owen Farrell remaining at 12 and George Ford at fly-half.

Historical comparison over, Italy showed enough at the Stade de France on Saturday to suggest they will have much more steel about them than last season. Sergio Parisse can be relied upon for a big game, but promising signs of a midfield combination based on the talents of Carlo Canna and Michele Campagnaro bode well for the Azzurri (see video above).

Italy will get within five points of England.

France to Show Selection Consistency Against Ireland

FRANCK FIFE/Getty Images

France’s selection, for a long time, has been hallmarked by constant fluctuation. However, expect new coach Guy Noves to make very limited changes to his side for the clash against Ireland.

The players were generally poor against Italy, but Noves knows changing France’s style cannot be accomplished overnight and that his best chance is to have some selection consistency.

Unthinkable as it may seem, especially given a half-hearted showing versus Italy, France will pick a similar team against Ireland.

Ireland to Dominate France Up Front

France, in recent years have been one-dimensional, reliant on the power of their pack. But against Italy on Saturday, the French eight were still just as slow, but, unusually, they were outmuscled.

Ireland, despite being without the retired Paul O’Connell and the injured Iain Henderson, will dominate France up front.

An Irish front row of Jack McGrath, Rory Best and Nathan White may not look too imposing on paper, but if France’s Eddy Ben Arous, Guilhem Guirado and Rabah Slimani are anything like as meek as they were versus Italy, Ireland will profit.

In the loose, the power of CJ Stander (man of the match against Wales, see video above), will be too much the pedestrian Damien Chouly.

Scotland to Come Very Close to Beating Wales in Cardiff

Scotland, after a stuttering performance against England at home on Saturday, should not be relied upon to deliver against Wales in the Cardiff cauldron, but they will put in a much-improved display at the Principality Stadium.

Vern Cotter's side rarely relish the favourites tag and an expectant home support may have been a hindrance against England. In Wales, Scotland can return to the underdog spirit that took them to within moments of the 2015 Rugby World Cup semi-final (see video above).

Scotland’s scrum is better than Wales’, and Alasdair Dickinson, Ross Ford and WP Nel could win enough penalties to give Greig Laidlaw the chances to keep Scotland’s score constantly ticking.

Their undoing will probably be their over-reliance on Stuart Hogg as a source of inspiration in the backs but expect them to come within five points of Wales.

The Return of the Drop Goal

Drop goals, remember them? As ESPN.co.uk asked: “Where have all the Jonny Wilkinsons, Rob Andrews and Barry Johns gone?”

Having barely featured on the international circuit for years, there are signs in this Six Nations that the three-pointer from open play may be about to return to prominence.

On Matchday 1, in Paris Italy’s Carlo Canna struck a sweet one (see video) and Sergio Parisse attempted a last-minute winner against France. In Edinburgh, George Ford and Finn Russell both dragged their first-half efforts wide and in Dublin Rhys Priestland’s attempt also sailed wide.

The conversion rate may be woefully low, but the drop goal is back. With tight matches forecast for Matchday 2, expect fly-halves (and not No. 8s) to drop into the pocket and secure those vital three points.