Super Saturday provides us with three thrilling fixtures to close out the 2019 Guinness Six Nations, with Wales, England and Ireland all still in contention for the title.
The action begins in Rome where Italy will seek to record their first win of the campaign when they host France at the Stadio Olimpico.
Conor O’Shea has handed a debut to Marco Zanon against Les Bleus, who have recalled Wesley Fofana for the clash.
Attention then turns to Cardiff and Principality Stadium, where Wales will be going for a third Grand Slam under Warren Gatland.
In their way stand Ireland, with Joe Schmidt preparing for his final game in charge in the Championship and looking for a first win in the Welsh capital.
The day’s action will finish at Twickenham with a Calcutta Cup clash between England and Scotland. Eddie Jones’ side will be hoping for an Irish victory in Cardiff which would leave them with the chance to clinch the title with a victory over the Auld Enemy.
Scotland, meanwhile, are on the lookout for a first win at Twickenham in 1983 and a second successive Calcutta Cup success.
Tissot, the official timekeeper of the Guinness Six Nations, has invited some rugby experts and legends to share their views on the games and the teams throughout the Championship.
Ahead of Super Saturday, former Italy flanker Mauro Bergamasco has cast his eye over the action, making a prediction for each game.
Both teams need a win. France, because there will be lots of frustration at lots of good players who are struggling to fulfil their potential and play at their best with the national team.
With Italy, it’s not about experimenting but they need a win to back up the work that has been done up to now. It has been positive and the problem is not the players or Conor O’Shea and his staff, who are doing a good job. The problem comes from ten to 15 years ago. That was when they were not able to put in place the infrastructure and now we are seeing the results. So we are behind the rest for now. We can close that gap but it will take time.
I don’t know who will win but I really hope it’s Italy. I hope so for the players because I think they deserve a win for the quality and the quantity of work they have done.
Wales are going for the Grand Slam but I think that Ireland will give everything to try to deny them and set up an England v Scotland game that will decide the title. Even though that result seems like a foregone conclusion, they will want to win and then hope for a Scottish miracle. In terms of the points difference, Ireland are up against it for the Championship.
Still, I think they can go and get the win in Cardiff.
Wales, at home, certainly have a good chance, especially going for the Grand Slam. They should probably be favourites, but against Ireland, I think there is the chance of an upset. It’s clear that Ireland, winning in Cardiff, would do themselves a favour, but England too.
I think Wales will produce a big performance but that Ireland will do just enough to get the win.
I think England will go on to beat Scotland, and perhaps take advantage of an Irish win in Wales. For the Scots, they have to keep hold of the ball as much as possible and above all break up the rhythm of the English.
They need to keep the ball out of the hands of the two or three English playmakers, who have the ability unlock a defence.
Despite that though, I think that it will be England who end up winning the Championship, with a little help from Ireland.
