Six Nations 2016: Fixtures, Betting Odds and Key Battles for Round 3 Schedule

Unbeaten England will face Ireland in the third round of fixtures at the 2016 RBS Six Nations Championship this weekend, with tournament favourites Wales taking on France. Winless duo Italy and Scotland will also go head-to-head in Rome.

After a well-earned break, Eddie Jones' England and five-time winners France return as the only nations with a perfect record in this year's competition, but they face stiff opposition in their next fixtures. 

Take a look at this weekend's schedule from across Europe:

Feb. 26, 8:05 p.m.	Wales vs. France
Feb. 27, 2:25 p.m.	Italy vs. Scotland
Feb. 27, 4:50 p.m.	England vs. Ireland

In addition, here's a look at the match odds ahead of Friday's and Saturday's matches, courtesy of Oddschecker:

	Home	Draw	Win
Wales vs. France	1/3	25/1	10/3
Italy vs. Scotland	5/2	25/1	4/9
England vs. Ireland	4/11	25/1	10/3

Refining Wing Action Key for Wales in Cardiff

Wales have arrived at an important juncture in their tournament. Following their 27-23 win over Scotland, the Welsh players must take confidence into their next assignment and put the prior 16-16 draw with Ireland to the back of their minds. 

Per Paul Rees of the Guardian, the team have been bolstered by the return of Dan Lydiate from injury, which gives the home side’s back row a recognisable look, following his two-game absence on the sidelines. This allows captain Sam Warburton to return to his more favoured position of openside flanker. 

Kirsty Wigglesworth/Associated Press

Wales are expected to continue with their new tactical approach and remain keen to take advantage in wide positions, with scrum-half Gareth Davies—who scored five tries in last year's Rugby World Cup—claiming it is up to the players to finish strongly against their upcoming opponents, per Rees:

"

There is nothing wrong with the way we are attacking and it comes down to execution, getting that final pass away more often. France are a big, physical side, but they have not been convincing so far. If we get our house in order, we can come away with a good win. We know we will have to man up at forward: if we do that, the backs can do the rest.

"

Ford to Clash with Ghiraldini

Scotland's last Six Nations victory came over Italy in Rome, with Duncan Weir kicking the winning points for a 21-20 success in 2014.

The Scots continue to look more competitive than in previous tournaments, and head coach Vern Cotter has formed a more resolute side despite two negative results.

Scotland forward Ross Ford, 31, will come up against another player with huge experience when he meets Italy's 80-cap hooker, Leonardo Ghiraldini.

Set-piece possession is likely to play a pivotal role in the meeting between two sides without a point to their name, with both players' lineout distribution set to be analysed at length in the Italian capital.

BBC commentator Andrew Cotter had his say on where the new boss has improved the team: 

For Ford, it remains crucial that his on-field rival, Ghiraldini, does not outperform him, as Scotland will likely fall to their 10th consecutive defeat in the competition if he does.

Per BBC Sport's David Currie, Edinburgh's Ford said:

"

They're a very competitive team and they showed that against England, stuck with them for the majority of the game and it was only at the very end that England managed to score some points. 

But we know that if we can perform well and get areas of our game right, we'll put ourselves in a really good position when it comes to the business end at the end of the game.

"

No. 8s Set to Collide 

England's Billy Vunipola was one of the star performers in Round 1, as the side kickstarted their campaign with a 15-9 win over Scotland.

The Saracens man produced another strong showing in Round 2 against Italy, as he continued to make yards even with the scrum moving backward. He makes a real difference when his country are under pressure. 

For Ireland, Leinster's James Heaslip is arguably one of the team's best ball-carriers, but he faces a powerhouse in the shape of Vunipola. Whoever can affirm camp past the other's gain line could prove key for their team's overall performance.

The England players continued their preparations for the clash with Ireland with a full gym workout: 

"

Working hard to get that win on Saturday  #ENGvIRE #carrythemhomehttps://t.co/BeMQayjBTH

— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) February 23, 2016"

Twenty-three-year-old Vunipola has 23 caps to his name already and said he feels his game has improved following the arrival of Jones as coach, per Robert Kitson of the Guardian: "I respond more to the love and compassion he shows the boys, me especially. I don’t need someone to shout at me, I just need someone to reassure me and look after me."

In a five-game series, everything is on the line for both teams, as every match can prove critical to the outcome of the competition.

England and France can take one step closer to their ambitions of Grand Slam glory with positive results this weekend, while Scotland and Italy will be desperate to avoid finishing at the bottom of the table.