Six Nations: grand slam decider for Ireland and France?

Ireland carry impressive momentum into their upcoming clash with England, while France seek to undo champions Wales and Scotland take on Italy in the likely wooden spoon decider, writes Matthew Bell.

Could the Six Nations come down to the final game on the very last weekend? We’re only two rounds in, but that will certainly be the target for Ireland and France – the only teams so far unbeaten and therefore in contention for the grand slam, and who are due to meet for their showdown in Paris in just under a month’s time.

Ireland are enjoying a period of rich form and may have hit their peak, after trouncing Wales last weekend in a complete performance. They dominated the Welsh forwards with some vicious defence attack and deadly rolling mauls, while the backs nullified everything Wales could throw at them and taught them a lesson or two in patience and composure.

Resurgent Ireland

Ireland travel to Twickenham this weekend to face England, a resurgent team blending in some exciting new players with surprising ease, and whose forwards put in a strong claim to be the best in the championship.

The crucial battle will be between England’s Owen Farrell and Ireland’s Jonny Sexton, the two Lions fly-halves who triumphed against Australia last summer. Sexton came out on top that time round, emerging as first pick for the Lions, but Farrell’s game moved on markedly during the tour as he strove to improve his attack and decision-making. Farrell is backed up by the uncapped George Ford on the bench after some high praise for his recent performances.

Luther Burrell comes face to face with Brian O’Driscoll, one of the best players in the game.

England’s new arrivals in the backs, Jonny May and Jack Nowell, put in assured and incisive performances in their rout of Scotland in the last round, but their newcomer at centre, Luther Burrell, comes face to face with one of the best players in the game. Winning only his third cap, Burrell will line up against Ireland’s stalwart captain, Brian O’Driscoll, who this weekend equals the 139 international caps won by Australia’s George Gregan.

O’Driscoll put in some deft chips through the Welsh defence in Ireland’s last game – a tactic used with some success by France against England in the opening weekend. but England may have become wary of the threat, having deployed an occasional sweeper behind their defensive line in the 20-0 win over Scotland two weekends ago.

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Wounded Wales

Wales, still licking their wounds after the 26-3 mauling received at the hands of Ireland, will need to recover quickly if they are to make an impact against the French this weekend, who are showing some renewed verve and instinctive flair after recent struggles with form and results.

France edged out England in a tense opening weekend and strung together some silky moves against a resolute Italian side last time out to win 30-10 – marking the first time they have won two successive games since November 2012.

Against Italy,France showed their natural attacking ability of old, flinging the ball about the pitch with near abandon.

At times against Italy, France showed their natural attacking ability of old, flinging the ball about the pitch with near abandon, and attacking from inside their own 22-yard line as if the very notion was unremarkable. The Parisian crowd even burst into song after half time, serenading their team with the Marseillaise in a rare show of joy at the performance unfolding before them.

Even France’s new steeds are performing well, most notably Jules Plisson at fly-half, who wins only his third cap, although his place kicking will need to improve if the French are to edge out opponents in the tougher games.

Man-mountain

Defending champions Wales will doubtless be tough to beat on their home turf in Cardiff, but are suffering a crisis in the centres, forcing George North to move in from the wing to join Jamie Roberts, after injuries to both Jonathan Davies and Ashley Beck. They face the man-mountain Mathieu Bastereaud and the electric running of Wesley Fofana, who are becoming a formidable pairing for Les Bleus.

Wales could find no way through against the Irish last time out, and will need to improve on more than just the rolling maul, a fatal weakness pinpointed this week by the Welsh forwards coach, Robyn McBride.

Wales joined in the trend du jour of putting in high kicks during open play during their game against Ireland, but hardly ever chased the kicks, meaning they simply gave possession away, and then conceded a host of silly penalties as their frustration grew.

Scotland’s woes

Despite the sound beating dished out to them by France two weeks ago, Italy are showing an assuredness and calm in this championship that keeps opponents on their toes and at their best. The Italians came close to breaking through more than once, thanks to some composed forward play combining with direct running in the backs, only to be let down with the final pass.

Scotland travel to Rome this weekend, and will need to string something together after failing to score a single point against England. The Scots never looked threatening against the English, and to some degree gave the game away by choosing not to compete in defending line-outs or at rucks, where they often committed just two players, or sometimes only one.

They need to take lessons from the tournament’s winning teams, which pass up few opportunities to halt a flowing game in its tracks by fighting fiercely for virtually every ball, forcing turnovers or penalties in the process.

Scotland aren’t fighting for the grand slam or even the championship, but if they are to spark a revival it must begin this weekend.