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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Simon Thomas

What every Six Nations team is playing for on Super Saturday as Wales could now finish third

So, with one round of matches left in the Six Nations, just what are the permutations for Super Saturday?

Well, the bottom line is two countries can still win the title - France and Ireland.

As for reigning champions Wales, they can yet finish as high as third.

Having claimed a hard fought 13-9 victory at the Principality Stadium on Friday night to make it four wins out of four, France are two points clear at the top of the table.

If they beat England in Paris next Saturday night, then the Grand Slam and the title is theirs, regardless of results elsewhere.

It would be their first time as Six Nations champions since 2010.

But if they lose to Eddie Jones’ men, that’s when everything changes.

As it stands, France are on 18 points at the top of the table, two points clear of Ireland.

The Irish claimed a 32-15 bonus point victory over England in a dramatic encounter at Twickenham.

They were made to work really hard by an English team that was reduced to 14 men after just 82 seconds by a red card to lock Charlie Ewels for a high tackle - the earliest sending off in international rugby history.

But, in the end, Ireland pulled clear in the closing stages with replacement prop Finlay Bealham going over for the all-important fourth bonus point try four minutes from time.

It means if they beat Scotland in Dublin next Saturday and France lose to England, then the title will be heading to the Emerald Isle.

Should Ireland win without a bonus point and Les Blues claim two in defeat - via four tries and finishing within seven - then you would have a tie at the top of the table with two sides on 20 points.

But the Irish would still come out on top as their points difference is already superior - 84 to 56.

The same would apply if both title hopefuls are beaten but Andy Farrell's side claim two losing bonus against the Scots.

There is one further twist in the tale.

If Ireland beat Scotland without a bonus point and France claim four tries while drawing with England, then it would be Fabien Galthie’s team that take the crown.

Confused? Who wouldn’t be?

Les Bleus can, of course, simplify matters by beating the English, which would no doubt see a broad smile on the face of Shaun Edwards.

Either way, it’s all set to come down to that final game in Paris.

Read next: Ref halts Six Nations game to help player despite his arguments

As for Wayne Pivac’s Wales, they can get up to 11 points if they claim a bonus point win at home to Italy.

That would be enough to secure a third place finish should both England and Scotland go down to defeat without claiming a losing bonus point.

Bonus points coming into play could see Wales end up level on points with either of those two sides or even both of them.

Then it comes down to points difference.

At present, Wales are some way behind on -27, with England on +17 and Scotland on -8.

But, of course, those figures could change significantly as Super Saturday unfolds.

The one thing we do know for definite is Italy will finish bottom of the table even if they beat Wales as they are six points adrift, having lost 33-22 to Scotland in Rome to go down to their 36th successive Six Nations defeat.

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