The customary exciting climax to the Six Nations is almost upon us, with so much at stake on Super Saturday.
Defending champions Wales kick off the day with an early afternoon clash with Italy at the Principality Stadium, looking to pile on the points after misfiring thus far and put pressure on England and Scotland as they seek to leapfrog above them and finish third. Ireland, who still harbour hopes of the title, then meet the Scots at tea-time, before Grand Slam chasing France wind up with an evening kick-off in Paris against England.
Eddie Jones' men could conceivably finish fifth, which would pile the pressure further on the under-fire coach amid calls from Austin Healey for Warren Gatland to be approached by the RFU. Wayne Pivac's Wales will certainly be looking to finish on a high against whipping team Italy, running in the tries for a comfortable bonus point victory.
READ MORE: What every team is playing for on Super Saturday
Our rugby experts have dusted down their crystal balls to predict the outcome of the three matches - and the final Six Nations table.
Wales to finish above England - Mark Orders
Wales v Italy (2.15pm kick-off)
A home game with Italy offers Wales the chance to finish their Six Nations campaign on a positive note, and it’s one they should be good enough to take. If they don’t, questions will be asked. Italy, after all, have lost 36 in a row in the championship. They had their moments against Scotland last weekend but made mistakes at key moments and their defence can be porous, with 107 tackles missed over the past four games.
No Tomas Francis in the Wales match-day squad offers the visitors some hope in the scrums, but Wayne Pivac’s side should still enjoy forward dominance with a pack that includes Lions Taulupe Faletau, Alun Wyn Jones, Josh Navidi and Adam Beard. The hosts will look to play at pace, and the expected bright conditions should enable the likes of Josh Adams, Louis Rees-Zammit, Johnny McNicholl and Willis Halaholo to cause problems. A bonus-point win beckons.
Wales 46-18 Italy
Ireland v Scotland (4.45pm kick-off)
A big day beckons for Ireland with the chance to win silverware in front of their fans. They were patchy against 14-man England last weekend, but they boast the fastest ruck speed in the championship, have the best passing game, don’t miss many tackles and have good game managers in Johnny Sexton and Jamison Gibson-Park. Scotland will battle hard, but Ireland will secure the Triple Crown.
Ireland 38-16 Scotland
France v England (8pm UK time)
France will take the Grand Slam. Despite Wales doing much to shackle their attack in Cardiff last time out, they are at home this weekend, the weather should be good and it’s hard to see them failing to deliver.
Maro Itoje, Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Sam Underhill and Co will make sure Les Bleus have to work for their clean sweep. But France have a superbly organised defence, overseen by Shaun Edwards; they are skilled at winning turnovers; they have ball-handling, powerful forwards; and they have Antoine Dupont and others who will take their chances.
France 32-18 England
Final table
1. France
2. Ireland
3. Wales
4. England
5. Scotland
6. Italy
France Grand Slam but Rees-Zammit to fire Wales - Simon Thomas
Wales v Italy
With the likes of Louis Rees-Zammit and Willis Halaholo on board, there should be a sharper cutting edge to the Welsh attack, while the ability over the ball delivered by Dillon Lewis and Dewi Lake will help bolster the breakdown. If those areas can be sharpened up and aligned with the positives from the last three rounds, then we should be looking at a bonus point victory to end the campaign on a high note.
Wales will need to watch out for fleet-footed full-back Ange Capuozzo, who starts after his two tries off the bench against Scotland, but one can pretty confidently predict a 37th successive Six Nations defeat for the Azzurri.
Wales 27-10 Italy
Ireland v Scotland
The equation is pretty straightforward for title-chasing Ireland. They need to beat the Scots and then hope for a favour from England out in Paris. Even if France pip them, they would still have the consolation of the Triple Crown, which would be due reward given they have been the pick of the Home Nations.
They will have worked hard on their scrum after the creaking at Twickenham and should have too much firepower for Scotland, who haven’t matched up to the hype that followed their victory over England, finishing off with Finn Russell dropped to the bench.
Ireland 32-18 Scotland
France v England
That is some side France are fielding for their ascension day. It has the look of a classic Les Bleus team from the ‘80s and ‘90s, a potent mix of brute force, gnarled grunt and Gallic flair. We haven’t quite seen Antoine Dupont confirm his status as World Player of the Year so far during the tournament, but you sense this may be the moment for the new petit general to weave his magic
England have gone for two full-backs to counter the French kicking game, but you just sense Galthie’s fast maturing charges now have a variety of ways to get the job done and I expect them to do just that to seal the Slam.
France 25-11 England
Final table
1. France
2. Ireland
3. Wales
4. England
5. Scotland
6.Italy
Day of celebration for Biggar and Alun Wyn- Ben James
Wales v Italy
Wales’ attack has yet to fire, but each team so far has had an easy time of running in scores against the Italians. I expect it to be the same for Wayne Pivac’s side. The additions of Dewi Lake, Willis Halaholo and Johnny McNicholl should contribute to Wales dictating the contact in one way or another and getting on the front-foot.
Some early scores to extinguish the hopes of an Italian side that’s yet to threaten in more than just patches and it should be a day of celebration for Dan Biggar and Alun Wyn Jones.
Wales 38-12 Italy
Ireland v Scotland
Ireland should have too much for a Scotland team that has once again failed to match up pre-tournament expectations. Finn Russell has been dropped and it’s hard to see how Scotland claim the scalp of the Irish.
With the chance of a title on the line, I expect Andy Farrell’s side to be fairly clinical. They’ll do all they can to give themselves a chance of lifting the trophy.
Ireland 28-18 Scotland
France v England
A first Grand Slam since 2010 awaits for France. All that stands in their way is ‘New England’, as Eddie Jones dubbed them. However, that tag has been more of a burden than a help as England's attacking game has yet to register much more than the odd glancing blow.
They’ll head to Paris with the intention of kicking to compete as Wales did to great effect last week. However, it’s hard to see this England team doing enough elsewhere to deny a French slam.
France 24-15 England
Final table
1. France
2. Ireland
3. Wales
4. England
5. Scotland
6. Italy
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