Six Nations round 5 preview: Super Saturday set for triple home triumph?

What a Six Nations we have had so far with Ireland closing in on a Grand Slam and Scotland coming into form. Unfortunately for fans it’s the final week of action, but thankfully we have Super Saturday to enjoy with the final three games all played on the same day.

We preview the best of the action below.

Scotland v Italy

Scotland have had a blinding Six Nations campaign this year which was kickstarted by beating England at Twickenham. The huge Calcutta Cup victory has landed them third place in the table with just Italy left to play. They head into this match the strong favourites at 1/10.

Finn Russell has undoubtedly contributed hugely to the nation’s success, creating plays with his perfect cross field kicks as well as having excellent hand speed. Russell unfortunately picked up an injury during last week’s fixture against Ireland and he will be replaced by the impressive Blair Kinghorn ahead of this Saturday.

Regardless of Italy’s defeat to Wales last weekend, they have played some of the best rugby we have seen from them in years and they have every reason to hold their heads high after keeping France to within seven points in the opening week (something England could learn a thing or two about).

Italy are the firm underdogs here at 11/2, and at Murrayfield it seems unlikely they will be able to better the Scots. They remain without their star full-back Ange Capuozzo but given Finn Russell’s injury maybe Italy can produce the unthinkable and achieve their first win in Scotland since 2015.

In reality this will likely be a cricket score win for Scotland and backing them at -15 in the spread at 10/11 seems a worthy punt. It is shaping up to be a high scoring game, with over 55.5 points also at 10/11.

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France v Wales

France had a stellar performance at Twickenham last weekend, producing the largest home defeat for England in the nation’s history with the final score 53-10. The world number two side will kick off as the heaviest favourites of the weekend at 1/20.

Captain and scrum half Antoine Dupont cannot receive enough praise for not only last week’s performance, but France’s entire campaign. The 26-year-old is spectacular to watch and is an absolute menace in both attack and defence. Words cannot explain his brilliance and the gap between him and any other number nine in the world right now is huge.

Thibaud Flament had a top-quality game last weekend too, scoring two tries and constantly causing problems at the breakdown for England; this French squad is talented from head to toe, and Wales are in for a nasty weekend.

Wales have lagged this campaign, thoroughly disappointing in every game except against Italy last weekend but even in that game they weren’t too impressive. Rhys Webb had a good game but they still lacked any real dominance and 29-17 was a generous result for the Welsh.

The 8/1 underdogs have made a few changes ahead of this weekend with Dan Biggar starting again after two weeks rest, as well as Louis Rees-Zammit starting again after being benched last weekend. Rees-Zammit is the biggest threat to France, but he starts in the number 15 shirt as opposed to filling his normal role on the wing.

This fixture will mark the 100th cap for Taulupe Faletau, which is unfortunate given the French forwards will likely not let him have an inch of breathing room. Punters can expect a high scoring game with over 53.5 points priced at 10/11.

Ireland v England

Ireland have proven why they are the best team in the world during this tournament. They bettered France and have demolished anyone daring to stand in their way. Unfortunately for England, they are standing in the way of Ireland’s Grand Slam victory this weekend.

Ireland head out as the 1/8 favourites, which should shock absolutely no one. From the pack to the backs, Ireland are a complete team. At home especially, they are incredibly strong and would hate nothing more than to lose to the English, so expect them to give everything.

James Lowe has had a strong campaign as usual and has played a huge part in tearing open the oppositions defence, tying for tries with Mack Hansen on three so far. This fixture can often be cagey with low scores between the teams, but this year should prove an exception with such a solid Irish squad.

England come into this game off the back of a bruising home defeat to France, with new head coach Steve Borthwick unable to get his side going. His side head out as the 5/1 underdogs, but given last weekend’s dire performance, 5/1 may not be enough to tempt most punters.

Freddie Steward has been the exception for England, dominating the aerial battles in the number 15 shirt and making good plays all over the pitch but his lone stand won’t be enough to save England, with several major weaknesses still in the squad.

Overall, this looks like it will be an entertaining game for everyone except English supporters, who are probably in for another thrashing unless Borthwick can pull off something truly spectacular. Under 50.5 match points is a decent punt at 10/11, but if Ireland truly turn up this one could get ugly for England.

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