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When are the Guinness Six Nations team announcements for Round Three?

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From the second the final whistle went in Paris to signal the end of Round 2, we’ve all been waiting for the Guinness Six Nations to return.

From the second the final whistle went in Paris to signal the end of Round 2, we’ve all been waiting for the Guinness Six Nations to return.

And now the third round of fixtures is nearly upon us, it’s time to find out who will be featuring in this weekend’s clashes.

With everything still to play for as the Championship resumes after the first rest week, this weekend promises no shortage of drama across Europe as we reach the midway point of the competition.

The action gets underway on Saturday afternoon as Gregor Townsend takes his Scotland side to Rome to face Italy, with both sides searching for their first victory in this year’s Championship.

Later that evening Wales welcome France to Principality Stadium as they look to bounce back from defeat to Ireland last time out, while the visitors will look to keep up their unbeaten start.

Sunday sees Twickenham take centre stage, as Ireland and England do battle. Will the hosts finally click into gear, or will Andy Farrell get one over on son Owen?

Gregor Townsend is due to name his Scotland squad on Wednesday at 1pm and will be boosted by the inclusion of Sam Skinner and Matt Fagerson to their squad ahead of the Italy tie.

Both players missed the first two fixtures due to injury but now return, while lock Alex Craig has returned to Gloucester following the pair’s call up. Jonny Gray is also ruled out for the rest of the Championship with a hand injury sustained against England last time out.

Townsend will also have Darcy Graham back in contention in Rome, after the 22-year-old missed the first two matches with a knee injury picked up in training.

Andy Farrell will still be without Garry Ringrose for Ireland’s trip to Twickenham on Sunday, with the Leinster man still suffering from the hand injury he suffered on the opening weekend of the Championship.

The good news is that Caelan Doris is deemed available for selection after recovering from a concussion, while the 13 players who returned to their provinces last week have all returned unscathed.

Will Addison is also back in contention after picking up a calf injury that ruled him out of the victories over Scotland and Wales.

Wayne Pivac will be hoping to name Dan Biggar and Josh Adams in his starting line up against France, although both suffered injury scares last time out against Ireland.

Biggar failed a head injury assessment after a collision with centre Robbie Henshaw, and is going through his return to play protocols, while Adams had to leave the field in Dublin with a hip injury.

If Biggar fails to make a return, Pivac will be left with just Jarrod Evans as the only fully fit fly-half in the squad, with Rhys Priestland rumoured to be lined up as a replacement if required.

France will also name their squad on Thursday at 1pm, as they head to Principality Stadium in fine form after two wins from two.

Fabien Galthié has made four changes to his squad since the 35-22 victory over Italy last time out, with Cyril Cazeaux, Sekou Makalou, Julien Hériteau and Baptiste Couilloud all missing out.

Maxime Lucu and Baptiste Delaporte are two of the players that have been called up as replacements, while there were first international call ups for Guillaume Ducat and Lucas Tauzin.

Franco Smith is the third head coach set to name his squad on Thursday at 2pm ahead of Italy’s crucial clash against Scotland at Stadio Olimpico on Saturday afternoon.

Italy will be looking forward to their first game on home soil in this year’s Championship and will be looking to make that advantage count.

After remaining scoreless in their opening match, a much stronger performance against France in Round 2 will give Smith’s side confidence heading into this one.

Eddie Jones could be boosted by the additions of Manu Tuilagi and Henry Slade as England look to secure their first Championship victory at Twickenham over Ireland since 2016.

Tuilagi limped off after just 16 minutes as England were beaten by France in Round 1 while Slade hasn’t featured due to a fractured ankle while playing for Exeter Chiefs in December.

Jones will be without Anthony Watson though, who remains absent with a calf injury, and Mako Vunipola due to a personal issue, as England look to get their Championship back on track after their opening round defeat in Paris.