‘The best things come to those who wait’ will certainly ring true for one of the four teams still in contention for Rugby’s Greatest Championship when it resumes next month.
Today marks 50 days until the 2020 Guinness Six Nations restarts with Italy’s visit to Ireland – the first of four games which will bring the curtain down on a thrilling Championship.
In the last match before the action was paused due to Covid-19 in March, Scotland defeated France 28-17 at BT Murrayfield to blow the race for the Championship title wide open.
More than seven months later, the dramatic finale will finally unfold over two weekends as one of England, France, Ireland or Scotland are crowned this year’s champions.
DESTINY IN IRELAND’S HANDS
Ireland are the only team in contention for the title who still have two games to play, meaning their destiny is in their own hands when the 2020 Guinness Six Nation resumes.
Despite losing to England in Round 3, victories against Scotland and Wales means bonus-point wins against Italy and France would crown Andy Farrell’s side champions.
But should they only pick up nine points – one bonus-point win and a standard victory – that would open the door for England, who could tie them with 18 points with a bonus-point win in Italy.
If both Ireland and England finished level on points at the top, the Championship would go down to points difference – with Eddie Jones’ men currently ten points better off.
Ireland can put the title beyond doubt though with two bonus-point wins and while an away trip to France on Super Saturday will be tough, Farrell has his eyes on the grand prize.
He said: “We know it is there to be won and we will be hungry to do that and we won’t be frightened by that. Italy will be tough.
“France away is a hell of a game, isn’t it? But it’s there. It’s in our hands and we want to attack that full steam ahead.”
SUPER SATURDAY SHOWDOWN
The final weekend of action on October 31 looks set to be when the title will be decided.
Should Ireland get their bonus-point win against Italy a week earlier, England will then have the opportunity to lay their marker down when they visit the Azzurri at the Stadio Olimpico.
Currently top of the Guinness Six Nations standings from France on points difference, a bonus-point win against Italy would mean only Ireland can finish with more points.
Should Ireland fail to get the bonus point against Les Bleus in the late game and finish with nine points, England will likely be in pole position to take the title on points difference.
But France are also still in the running despite their Grand Slam dreams being dashed by Scotland, with Fabien Galthie’s side able to overtake England if results go their way.
A bonus-point win for Les Bleus against Ireland by a greater margin than England defeat Italy by would see France recover from their slip-up against Scotland to take the crown.
Scotland also remain outsiders for their first Championship in 21 years but they need to beat Wales on Super Saturday and for Italy to overcome both Ireland and England – before requiring France to either lose to or draw with Ireland in Paris.
Whatever happens, the stage is set for a fantastic finale.
ROUND 4
24/10/2020 – Ireland V Italy – Time TBC – Aviva Stadium
ROUND 5
31/10/2020 – Wales V Scotland – 14:15 – Venue TBC
31/10/2020 – Italy V England – 16:45 – Stadio Olimpico
31/10/2020 – France V Ireland – 20:00 – Stade de France
