Six Nations: Seven intriguing head-to-heads to watch in Round Two including Johnny Sexton v Romain Ntamack in Dublin

Dylan Coetzee

The Six Nations rolls into its second round of action this weekend, with the Championship already having wowed fans in the opening fixtures.

Another set of enthralling games lie in wait, headlined by a potential title-decider between the world’s top two sides, Ireland and France.

With the weekend’s action set to kick off on Saturday, Planet Rugby highlights seven head-to-head battles for fans to keep an eye on.

Caelan Doris (Ireland) v Gregory Alldritt (France)

A battle of the titans awaits between two number eights, seemingly at the peak of their powers at the moment. The nature of the position is hugely important in providing the link and synergy between the forwards and backs, making the battle even more crucial.

Doris has been in some splendid form and was on song against Wales, where he made 45 metres with ball in hand, one turnover and a whopping 18 tackles in the clash. The tireless star will need to empty the tank and continue his industrious work to get one over his talented French rival. Expect more of the same from the star, who is ultra-consistent and a massive ball-carrying asset in the middle of the park.

Alldritt has emerged as a key player for France in recent seasons with his solid ball-carrying, impressive skill-set, and ability to participate in link up play frequently. The La Rochelle man carried well against Italy, with 72 metres from 11 carries and 14 tackles.

It will be an intriguing battle between two workhorses who will be looking to impose themselves on the game and ultimately impact the final result.

Johnny Sexton (Ireland) v Romain Ntamack (France)

The fly-half battle is always one that is pivotal in the result of a Test. Experience and execution meets French flair and flamboyance as two of the game’s best 10s face off at the highest level.

Sexton is one of the greatest to have played the game and can perform just about any role at fly-half, whether it is helping his team get back into the match or managing a lead in the final quarter. The Leinsterman is a star born for the occasion, and no doubt he will be at his best on Saturday.

On the other hand, Ntamack is an artist on the field, pulling strings and exploiting defences with ease at times. He will have a great test against Sexton this weekend but is a player who will welcome the challenge and look to come out on top.

Ntamack wasn’t at his free-flowing best against Italy, but with his skill-set and understanding with Antoine Dupont at half-backs, he is a player who can rise to the occasion.

Garry Ringrose (Ireland) v Gael Fickou (France)

The magnitude of the Dublin Test deserves a third match-up, and it comes in the form of two very intelligent rugby players on both sides of the ball.

Ringrose has elevated his game again since the autumn and has grown with some of the leadership responsibilities handed to him at Leinster. He is a player who never seems to make errors and is always in the right place at the right time – a hallmark of a great centre.

Fickou is a fantastic ball player and carries exceptionally well, with 66 metres made against Italy. The Frenchman is also committed on defence, with 16 tackles last time out. Like any good 13, Fickou is part of the glue that holds the backline together.

Zander Fagerson (Scotland) v Wyn Jones (Wales)

Two British & Irish Lions face off in the engine room for the clash at Murrayfield.

Fagerson returns to the starting line-up this week to further aid a Scotland scrum already in a good place. The prop comes in for WP Nel and only improves their set-piece whilst adding more work rate in the loose.

Conversely, pressure sits hugely on Jones’ shoulders as his job is getting some energy and power within the Welsh pack, which was underwhelming last weekend. Simply put, if the Scotland backline has a platform to play off, then it will be a long day for Wales. Enormous responsibility for the Lion, who certainly has the capacity to get one over his opponent.

Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland) v Josh Adams (Wales)

Elsewhere at Murrayfield, two quality wings face off with Van der Merwe in red-hot form and the classy Adams looking to inspire a wounded Wales side.

The Scot was exceptional against England, scoring two tries, one of which will live long in the memory. The robust wing also beat 11 defenders and carried the ball over 100 metres on the day. There is no questioning the quality of the star, who will be a massive try threat and subject of a lot of analysis in the Welsh camp.

Adams is experienced, which will be crucial in dealing with a rampant Scot on his hallowed turf. The Welshman has produced the goods for his team before and will need to do so again. If he can stand up and nullify the Van der Merwe threat, he gives his team an improved chance to win the game. It is a massive challenge for Adams and one he simply has to stand up to.

Freddie Steward (England) v Ange Capuozzo (Italy)

Twickenham hosts a battle between two of the most promising young full-backs in the game. They have completely different styles and approaches to the game, both of which have shown their worth at Test level.

Steward is a mountain of a man at 1.96 cm and over 100 kilograms and uses his large frame to dominate the aerial battle. The Englishman is pure in all he does on the field and also a dangerous ball carrier in space, particularly in the outside channels. England need him to be a rock on Sunday – a role he is perfectly placed to fulfil.

Capuozzo is cut from a different cloth and is an attacking maestro of a full-back. The Italian is one of the Azzurri’s greatest products and could go on to achieve unprecedented feats.

For now, the superstar continues to score key tries as he did against France last weekend, adding to his growing list of impressive scores. England will have all hands on deck for the reigning World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year.

Kyle Sinckler (England) v Danilo Fischetti (Italy)

Sinckler is retained in the England starting line-up and goes up against one of the standout players from last weekend, Italy prop Fischetti.

The Azzurri loosehead was excellent against France and Sinckler is set for a testing afternoon at the set-piece on Sunday. Also watch out for the Italian’s work around the field, with seven carries for 46 metres an impressive return from the front-rower in Rome.

Sinckler currently has Leicester Tigers veteran Dan Cole breathing down his neck for the England starting jersey, with Cole’s entrance on to the Twickenham turf set to be determined on how the Bristol Bears tighthead fares against such a formidable opponent.

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