6 Nations: Round 5 Match Predictions

The 6 Nations title may already have a new destination, but super saturday is still on, and it still looks very super! With three competitive and high pressure games to watch this weekend, we at RBP thought we’d do our little predictions, just for you, our readers.

Wales vs Italy:

Wales were inspiring last week against England, while Italy put in a limp wristed effort against Ireland. Wales have impressed, and can set a marker with a good performance against a weak Italian side. Martin Castrogiovanni returns for Italy on the tighthead side, but he will face a big test as he goes head to head with Rob Evans, who has been one of the breakthrough players of the tournament. Wales will get a taste of life without Alun Wyn Jones (the guy has to retire at some point right?) but having Bradley Davies and Luke Charteris should make that a little easier. Wales are also forced to go without their captain Sam Warburton, but with Dan Lydiate and Justin Tipuric as their pair of flankers, Wales have plenty of talent in the back row. Taulupe Faletau has been in great form this season and will relish the battle against Sergio Parisse. As the saying goes “to be the best you have to beat the best,” and Faletau can establish himself with a big game against one of the all time greats. Italy will be glad to have Tommaso Allan back at 10, as the 22 year old is a playmaker at 10. Its great to see Rhys Webb back starting at 9 after his horrific injury this summer, and Warren Gatland will hope that he can rekindle some of the magic that he and Dan Biggar created a year ago. You do have to feel for Gareth Davies, who has been in sensational form since stepping in for Webb. Life was going to be hard in the centres for Italy regardless, but now they must contend without Michele Campagnaro, who is out injured. Jamie Roberts and Jonathan Davies have been hard to stop this season, and will be licking their lips at the sight of this injury worn Italian backline. Leonardo Sarto and David Odiete have great pace and attacking vision, and they can cause a lot of trouble if Wales are not secure in the wide channels. Wales however, have a clear edge in the back three. Hallam Amos, George North, and Liam Williams. Need I say more? Wales have a quality side, and have improved over the course of the tournament, but they fell just short against England. Now with a chance to finish on a high, Wales will want to get the job done quickly, and efficiently in what should be a very one sided affair.

Wales 52- Italy 10

Ireland vs Scotland:

Both of these sides have rediscovered their form of late, with Scotland rolling after wins over Italy and France. Ireland thrashed Italy and hopefully will maintain some of the attacking flair we saw against the Azzurri against Scotland. Jack McGrath has been one of the standout players of the tournament, but Scotland’s props Alasdair Dickinson and WP Nel have been dominant at scrum time this season. Scotland are without Jonny Gray, which is a massive loss, however, it does spare you the indignity of hearing the “two shades of Gray” line for the 800th time. CJ Stander is joined by his Munster teammate Tommy O’Donnell, as Josh Van Der Flier is rested due to nagging pains. Stander and O’Donnell will do a ton of work around the field, but they will have to, as they come up against an excellent Scotland duo in John Barclay and John Hardie. Jamie Heaslip had a career day against Italy, but he faces a big test this week, up against Dave Denton. Conor Murray and Greig Laidlaw have been two of the form scrum halves of the tournament, and their battle will go a long way in determining which side will come away with the win. Scotland are without explosive flyhalf Finn Russell, but his Glasgow teammate Duncan Weir is a proven talent on the international level. Alex Dunbar and Robbie Henshaw will have a very physical battle at inside centre, while Jared Payne’s defensive prowess will be tested by the in form Duncan Taylor. Tommy Seymour and Keith Earls should provide no shortage of excitement on the wing, but it is the battle at fullback that promises to be the most fun to watch. Simon Zebo and Stuart Hogg have much in common, both love to play an open, fast paced game, and both are x-factor players. Hogg talents have been well known, but last week he was in rare form, dismantling the French defence step by step. Zebo got his first real chance to play his game last week and he did not disappoint, showing the explosiveness Ireland fans have been waiting to see in green. Ireland have plenty of momentum, and do not often drop games at home, however, Scotland have looked the better side this season, and we think they will sneak a win away in this one.

Prediction: Scotland 26-Ireland 23

France vs England:

It’s all on the line for England in this one. The Grand Slam, their first since 2003, sits just in front of them. That said, if there was one team that you wouldn’t want to play on such an occasion, it is the French. Mako Vunipola starts at loosehead in place of Joe Marler who is dropped to the bench. One thing France will be happy with is their front row of Jefferson Poirot, Guilhem Guirado, and Rabah Slimani, all of whom have been in great form. England’s young pair of George Kruis and Maro Itoje have made a huge impression in the little amount of time they’ve had. Kruis’s field awareness, workrate, and willingness to do the little things really compliments the hard hitting, big carrying style of Itoje. Damien Chouly shifts to blindside flanker for France as Bernard Le Roux and Loann Goujon start at 7 and 8 respectively. No player has been in better form in the 6 Nations than Billy Vunipola, making one thing clear. When he plays well, England play well. France have stuck with the electric pair of Francois Trinh-Duc and Maxime Machenaud. These two will relish a fast paced, open game, so it is imperative that they be slowed by the England pack. Danny Care has retaken the starting 9 spot, and Eddie Jones has stuck with George Ford, even as he struggled at the start of the tournament. Owen Farrell and Jonathan Joseph have been really impressive this season, with Farrell’s superb decision making, and Joseph’s attacking instincts, the two of them could cause France a lot of problems. Maxime Mermoz and Gael Fickou offer an excellent attacking presence in midfield, and Mermoz caused England many problems when these sides met for this fixture a year ago. Virimi Vakatawa and Gael Fickou combine in what has to be one of the most exciting back three’s in all of international rugby. Few could have predicted Vakatawa’s meteoric rise, but it has been very impressive to watch. England’s wingers and fullback were in remarkable form last week. Mike Brown made 140 meters and beat 7 defenders. Anthony Watson and Jack Nowell were all over the field doing no end of work, something that will bring a smile to the face of Eddie Jones. France would like nothing more than to spoil England’s party, however their poor form suggests to me that they will have plenty of success early, but over time, England will claw back, eventually reaching the title they have been dreaming of.

Prediction: France 20- England 26