With three rounds of the Guinness Six Nations in the books, the players are enjoying a well-deserved break in the second fallow week.
But how are they using the extra time off before the home straight of back-to-back matches in Rounds 4 and 5?
IRELAND
It was a big day for Ireland rugby fans on Thursday as they were able to head down to the Aviva Stadium for the first open training session since the Covid-19 pandemic.
Andy Farrell and his team were cheered on by a sizable crowd, while chucking plenty of signed jerseys into the crowd for those who had made the trip.
And after two years without getting to see their heroes close up in training, the fans clearly enjoyed themselves.
Aside from the two-day training camp in Dublin, Ireland released a number of players back to their provinces to feature in the United Rugby Championship including Leinster’s Jordan Larmour and Ulster’s Iain Henderson.
ENGLAND
After a few days off following the win over Wales, England regathered at Clifton College in Bristol to begin their preparations for a Round 4 clash with Ireland at Twickenham.
Eddie Jones called up 25 players for the three-day training camp including uncapped prop Will Goodrick-Clarke of London Irish and Gloucester flanker Lewis Ludlow.
As well as the 25 taking part in the camp, lock Jonny Hill and flanker Tom Curry have been with the squad as they work their way back from injury.
FRANCE
The French squad have enjoyed a break following a third successive win in the Guinness Six Nations, with a group of 42 players heading to Marcoussis on Saturday.
While some players will feature for their club sides this weekend in order to get some much-needed game time, most will head directly to the French training headquarters to prepare for next Friday’s clash with Wales.
Among those brought back into the squad are in-form winger Gabin Villière, recovered from the sinus fracture that kept him out of the win in Scotland, and Matthieu Jalibert, who is likely to feature for Bordeaux on Saturday, having not played since mid-January.
WALES
Like Ireland, Wales have released some players back to their regions for United Rugby Championship duty, while others have remained in camp.
The big news this week was that Alun Wyn Jones was continuing his recovery from a shoulder injury with the national side, although it still seems unlikely that he will make it back for next Friday’s game against France.
Among those in club action this week are Josh Navidi, who could come into contention for a back-row spot against Les Bleus.
SCOTLAND
Following the defeat to France in Round 3, Scotland came back in with a training session on Tuesday before later in the week, the senior side trained alongside the Under-20s in preparation for their trip to Rome next time out.
Among those released back to club duty this weekend were centre Sam Johnson and fly-half Blair Kinghorn, while Finn Russell returned to France where he could feature for club side Racing 92.
ITALY
Following defeat in Dublin in Round 3, Italy’s players had three days off before meeting back up for a training camp in Rome on Thursday.
Kieran Crowley called up a number of new players, including former skipper Luca Bigi, who could be in line for a start against Scotland with Gianmarco Lucchesi and Hame Faiva ruled out through injury and suspension respectively.
Some players have remained with their club sides this weekend, including Montpellier fly-half Paolo Garbisi, but will join back up with the national side to prepare for Scotland, with a quartet of players from local side Fiamme Oro set to train with the squad from Monday to Wednesday.
