Saturday’s day promises to be lively, with three oppositions which will determine which will be the big winners, and the big losers, of this 2023 edition.
At the dawn of the fifth day of the Six Nations Tournament, the last three matches, Saturday March 18 (to follow on France 2 and france.tv), should offer suspense. The six selections intend, of course, to end their tournament on a good note five months before the World Cup, but not only.
From the first Scotland-Italy match (1.30 p.m.), to the second between the France team and Wales (3.45 p.m.), to the last in Dublin between Ireland and England (6 p.m.), there will be issues on all floors. Follow the leader.
Italy: a new wooden spoon to avoid
The sentence seems inevitable. Seven times last in the Tournament in the last seven years, Italy should not do better in 2023. One question remains: will it inherit the wooden spoon, given to the team unable to win any match? With four defeats, the Squadra Azzurra faces a perilous trip to Scotland, with only one point in the standings (a defensive bonus won against France in the first match). After ending a series of 36 defeats in a row in the competition by beating Wales (22-21) last year, the Transalpine must win, to avoid being fanny and hope not to finish last an eighth season.
France: an improved victory to hope for the title
Maintain the hope of a double. France no longer has its destiny in its hands and the chances of winning the Tournament are slim. To keep their crown, the Blues, second with a defeat against the XV of clover, must immediately meet two conditions: win against Wales (if possible with the offensive bonus and the largest possible gap) and hope that the Irish bow in their den to the English. A fourth victory, the 16th in their last 17 games, would allow Fabien Galthié’s men to finish, at least, in second place for the third time in the last four seasons.
Ireland: the Grand Slam within reach
The XV of clubs is only one step away from lifting the trophy. Undefeated in his first four games, he is in the best position to win the Tournament, something he has been waiting for since 2018. Better still, if he wins against England in Dublin, he would achieve the fourth Grand Slam in his history. and would only confirm his status as world number one. Even a defeat would not necessarily deprive the Irish of final victory. Beyond their impressive state of form (10 consecutive victories), Ireland put their best foot forward because they are, with France, the nation to have scored the most tries (16) and offensive bonuses (3) , and the one with the fewest tries (5).