The short side: Rivals clash, stricken Scots and a nifty nine

Colin Newboult
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The short side returns to Planet Rugby as we study the main talking points ahead of this weekend’s action in Round Three of the Six Nations.

Six Nations game to watch – Wales v England

No guesses needed for this one in what could prove to be a Grand Slam decider. Although Wales have a couple of potentially tricky games to finish, they would back themselves to defeat both Scotland and Ireland, with the former stricken by injuries while the latter have to visit the Cardiff cauldron. The draw is even better for the visitors providing they get past Warren Gatland’s men with Italy and Scotland travelling to Twickenham in the final two rounds. It therefore sets up an enthralling contest at the Principality Stadium in what will be a titanic battle.

Team to watch – Scotland

There was such positivity in Scottish rugby before the Ireland encounter but it is in danger of going awry. It wasn’t necessarily the result against Joe Schmidt’s charges which sent the country into mourning but the injuries that they have suffered since. Key backs Stuart Hogg, Huw Jones and Finn Russell are all out for the game against France and that lack of continuity could cause problems. The players that have replaced them have been in fine form for their clubs, with Peter Horne and Nick Grigg starring for Glasgow Warriors last week, but they will be under pressure to perform, particularly with many still tipping Gregor Townsend’s charges to overcome Les Bleus in Paris. It is an important game for both teams but it will be interesting to see how the visitors go without their stars.

Player to watch – Antoine Dupont (France)

The talented Toulouse playmaker is finally given an opportunity to start after an impressive cameo against England in Round Two. With the scrum-half also featuring alongside club team-mate Romain Ntamack, it could prove to be one of Jacques Brunel’s more savvy selections. France’s head coach has got pretty much everything wrong so far but, whether by design or sheer luck, they look a stronger outfit on paper this weekend. Only Damian Penaud and Arthur Iturria are really playing out of position and Les Bleus supporters will hope that allows Dupont to thrive. The half-back is a livewire and incredibly dangerous around the fringes, meaning the Scottish defence will have to be very watchful around the breakdown.

One-v-one battle to watch – George North (Wales) v Jonny May (England)

The kicking game will no doubt be important and the duel between the half-backs is, as always, crucial, but the wingers’ positioning has come into focus following France’s abject display in Round Two. It is not just about the little grubbers through or the ‘up and unders’, however, with England’s counter-attacking skills and heavy ball-carriers forcing the wingers up and opening space behind the rearguard. This will be a bigger challenge for the visitors, though, with Wales having one of the more organised backfield’s around, while Gareth Anscombe’s full-back skills also help in that regard. They will still target North and Josh Adams, and there are doubts over the former’s defence, but equally Warren Gatland will reckon North can get the better against May with the ball.

Subplot of the weekend – Calls for Italy’s relegation

It comes every year and no doubt the discussion will be raised again should the Azzurri get thrashed by Ireland. They have already succumbed to Scotland and Wales’ second team and, with England to come in the fourth round, Conor O’Shea’s men will go into the final weekend with four successive defeats. Of course, the basket case that is French rugby possibly offers them a chance of ending their barren run in the tournament, but they just don’t seem to have the quality to even challenge Les Bleus. The Italians last claimed a victory in the tournament in 2015 and have since gone backwards, leaving the Six Nations promotion/relegation argument a valid one.

Best of the rest

It is not just about the Six Nations in the northern hemisphere, although that is where most of the attention will be, with the Premiership, PRO14 and Top 14 continuing this weekend. Those leagues perhaps lose some of their lustre without the international stars but there are still some intriguing matches. In England, Gloucester host Saracens looking to build on their impressive triumph over Exeter Chiefs a week ago, while the Ospreys take on Munster in the PRO14. Finally, there are a couple of mouth-watering games in France on Sunday as Castres face Racing 92 and Clermont Auvergne visit Lyon.

by Colin Newboult

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