The destination of the Six Nations title will be decided on the final day of the tournament with three teams in the hunt on “Super Saturday”.
Scotland’s epic 50-40 win at Murrayfield derailed France’s grand slam charge, and leaves Gregor Townsend’s side with a real shot at a first championship crown since its expansion in 2000.
Ireland are firmly in the mix, too, and welcome the Scots to Dublin on the final day having beaten their visitors in their last 11 meetings.
France’s snatching of a four-try bonus point in defeat in Edinburgh could well prove crucial, with Les Bleus in control of their own destiny as they host England in Paris in the final fixture of the campaign.
Not only will Fabien Galthie’s side know what they have to do by virtue of playing last, but their vastly superior points difference means a bonus-point win would surely secure them the title.
Scotland, though, will look to put the pressure on earlier in the day. A bonus point win in Dublin would mean that France could not afford to slip up, or even win without a bonus point.
Ireland, meanwhile, will require a helping hand. A win against Scotland would likely put them top of the table (barring a scenario in which they win by two points or fewer, fail to score four tries and Scotland take two losing bonus points in defeat). Andy Farrell and his squad will then hope that England do them a favour by beating France in Paris.
The winner of the wooden spoon is not yet totally certain, either, though such a large points difference swing is required for Wales to usurp England that it is mathematically highly unlikely.
Should two teams finish level on points and points difference, the next tiebreaker would be the higher number of total tries in the tournament.
|
Six Nations table |
Played |
Wins |
Draws |
Losses |
Points Difference |
Points |
|
1. France |
4 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
+79 |
16 |
|
2. Scotland |
4 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
+21 |
16 |
|
3. Ireland |
4 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
+16 |
14 |
|
4. Italy |
4 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
-24 |
9 |
|
5. England |
4 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
+4 |
6 |
|
6. Wales |
4 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
-96 |
1 |
Six Nations Super Saturday fixtures
Saturday 14 March: Ireland vs Scotland (2.10pm, Dublin)
Saturday 14 March: Wales vs Italy (4.40pm, Cardiff)
Saturday 14 March: France vs England (8.10pm, Paris)
