Round 3 of the Guinness Six Nations is almost upon us and there are three matches that are set to capture fans’ imagination this weekend as the action resumes.
France and Ireland are the only sides with perfect records in this year’s Championship, but both face tough away assignments against Wales and England respectively.
There is also an intriguing battle in Rome where winless Italy and Scotland will be aiming to kick-start their campaigns.
Former England prop Alex Corbisiero, who covers the Championship on NBC, gives his thoughts on the upcoming games below.
Italy v Scotland (Saturday, 2.15pm – Stadio Olimpico)
This should be a competitive game.
Italy showed against France that if you take your foot off the pedal and allow them back into the game they can play.
They were way off the pace in the first game. They were playing from their own half and giving Wales turnover ball.
They had a better balance to their game in Paris as they kicked a little more and when France weren’t at the races, they were able to score some very good tries.
The one thing I like about Italy is they have ball carriers with their back row of Jake Polledri, Braam Steyn and Sebastian Negri all getting past the gain-line.
Scotland will try to keep the ball in play a lot, run them around and back their own skillset.
They are try-less so far so there is a lot of pressure on them to not only win but look good too.
As long as the conditions hold up, I can see Scotland playing with too much pace for the Italians, but it wouldn’t surprise me if Italy scored a couple of tries.
Wales v France (Saturday, 4.45pm – Principality Stadium)
What a game. For me this will come down to whether France can replicate the intensity of the England game.
If France play with that line-speed and physicality with Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack pulling the strings they have a really good chance to test Wales.
France are more physical and have more size but the big issue is going to be the last 15 minutes
Bigger players can tire more quickly and that has looked like the case in both of their games so far. Wales are one of those teams you have got to put away. But that is so hard to do as they have got such a good team.
Even when they are not 100 per cent they are still in the game.
Their attack is well-rounded. Dan Biggar is in the form of his life and they have got so many big names in their back-line.
With so much experience within that team and a blend of youth as well they are an exciting outfit.
In my opinion Wales will win that game.
They have got it in them to be disciplined, be fit enough to stay in the game for 80 minutes and back themselves to see it out.
England v Ireland (Sunday, 3pm – Twickenham)
This is such a hard game to call.
If England are able to come with the intensity they came with in Dublin last year they can beat almost anyone with their best team.
But they are going to have no Mako and Billy Vunipola which has a negative gain-line effect regardless of who they replace them with.
They are two world class players that set the standards in Test rugby. They need Manu Tuilagi back and need to play more direct.
Both teams match up so well across the park it comes down to gain-line and speed of ball.
If there is no clear winner there we will get an arm wrestle and it will go down to the wire.
Ireland have a team that can do it. Leinster are playing well and we saw a spike in intensity against Wales.
There is still a lack of accuracy at times and some areas that England can capitalise on.
But I feel England are due a response.
They did enough to win against Scotland, but they now need a game to stamp their authority on the tournament.
The post Tissot ambassador Alex Corbisiero looks ahead to Round 3 of the 2020 Guinness Six Nations appeared first on Six Nations Rugby.
Source: 6 Nations