Six Nations Round 3 Preview

The Six Nations returns after a fallow week for its third round of action, with games in Cardiff, London and Rome.

Ireland are the only unbeaten team after the first two weekends and are aiming to become the first country to win three successive Championships since Italy joined the tournament in 2000.

On Saturday, they head to Wales, who have said goodbye to Warren Gatland. Interim coach Matt Sherratt is in charge for the rest of the competition, starting with this game which kicks off at 14:15 on BBC One.

Then it is the Calcutta Cup match between England and Scotland at 16:45 on ITV1. The Scots have won the last four meetings but there is an ongoing negativity surrounding the camp.

England will be keen to kick on after beating France, who conclude the round against Italy at 15:00 on ITV1 on Sunday.

Les Bleus lost to a last-gasp try at Twickenham and, with a trip to Dublin round four, need to respond in Rome.

Tip 1: Ireland to win by 21-25 points @ 6/5

Ireland captain Caelan Doris, Ronan Kelleher and Tadhg Furlong have all been ruled out but caretaker coach Simon Easterby has quality replacements to call upon.

Wales also have a temporary coach, with Cardiff’s Sherratt temporarily installed after Gatland’s departure and he has recalled several surprise omissions from the original squad to give his young team more direction.

A response is expected but Doris’ likely replacement, Jack Conan, was a British & Irish Lions’ starter number eight in 2021 and there was always a chance Kelleher could be replaced by Dan Sheehan, who seems certain to start for the tourists in Australia this summer.

Welsh and Irish rugby feel worlds apart both on and off the field and, while Sherratt’s team can add to their paltry 15 points scored so far in this tournament, a one-sided contest is forecast in Cardiff.

Ireland eased off for periods against England and Scotland, so taking the general 5/2 for Wales to score last might be fruitful, but the visitors are still likely to record another big victory.

Tip 2: England to win by 6-10 points

There is a fresh optimism following England’s win over France but they have a poor recent record against Scotland, losing the last four Calcutta Cup matches.

The Scots bundled past Italy and were outclassed by Ireland and are hoping for good news on Finn Russell and Darcy Graham’s fitness after coming through concussion protocols.

Gregor Townsend’s team have won eight of their last 10 matches but it feels as if his team are coming to the end of their cycle, with injuries piling up and negative vibes following them around.

England are strong odds-on to win but it might be tighter than the traders believe.

The four meetings since 2019’s 38-38 draw have been separated by nine or fewer points and the Red Rose could squeeze through by 1-12 points.

Tip 3: Italy v France – Italy +17 @ 11/10

France need to respond after their Twickenham defeat and can do so in Rome against improving Italy.

The Azzurri beat Wales for the second-straight year and are aiming to kick on after drawing with Les Bleus last year.

Luck was against them in Lille, with the ball falling off the tee while Paolo Garbisi prepared for a potentially match-winning kick.

A first win over the French for Italy since 2013 is unlikely to occur but Gonzalo Quesada’s disciplined and well-coached side is worthy of backing on the handicap.

You can get a 17-point cushion on the right side of Evens, but also don’t be surprised to see France’s wingers Damian Penaud and Louis Bielle-Biarrey both go over for tries.