This weekend's 6 Nations fixtures!

2017 6 Nations

Scotland v Ireland

Kick Off - 2:25 pm, Saturday

Location - Murrayfield, Scotland

Referee - Romain Poite (France)

TV - BBC One/RTE Two

The 2017 6 Nations opener takes place in Murrayfield on Saturday. Key playmaker, Sexton, will miss the game due to a reoccuring calf issue. Sean O’ Brien and Keith Earls are available for selection ahead of the clash. Ireland start the match as 5 point favourites with the bookmakers, as they look to build on from a historic November Series.

This fixture is always a fiery encounter; last year’s game in Dublin saw a lot of confrontation between the players as there were shoving matches after tries, grappling contests over the touchlines and the Scottish anger at the adjudged play-acting on the ground by Johnny Sexton.

There will be more to this contest than confrontation and aggression; with some fresh-looking midfield partnerships waiting to be unleashed. With the regular starting outside centre Jared Payne absent for the visitors, Henshaw could be set to partner his fellow Leinster colleague Garry Ringrose in the Irish midfield. Ringrose is yet to play with Henshaw at Test level but their club form has been highly promising.

Scotland may also have a new face in midfield with 23-year-old Huw Jones, in line to make his 6 Nations debut after an impressive November Test series. Having moved to South Africa on a gap year, Jones ended up playing Currie Cup for Western Province in 2014. Followed by two Super Rugby campaigns with the Stormers. Jones started twice in November, scoring a try against Argentina before claiming a brace in a narrow defeat to Australia.

The midfield is just one intriguing area this fixture brings in terms of positional battles, as Ireland seek to open the championship with a vital win away from home. The last time Joe Schmidt’s side were in Murrayfield, they left with the 2015 6 Nations title. Vern Cotter’s side enter the tournament with an increased amount of confidence following some promising performances in November. The hosts will look to become more competitive in this year’s renewal, a result against Ireland could provide Scotland with the perfect start.

England v France

Kick Off - 4:50 pm, Saturday

Location - Twickenham, England

Referee - Angus Gardner (Australia)

TV - ITV/RTE Two

The reigning champions kick off their 2017 6 Nations campaign by taking on a rejuvenated French side under Guy Noves at Twickenham. England start the tournament as favourites having claimed the grand slam last year. They went on to equal the longest winning run by an England team (14) helping them climb to No.2 in the World Rankings.

England & France go into the game with some notable absentees for both sides, with the Vunipola brothers, Robshaw and Fofana all missing. French rugby is on the rise after many years of disappointment in the tournament. An encouraging November series, France were left frustrated after narrow losses to Australia and New Zealand, however, they showed promising signs of a new style of French rugby.

The string of injuries that France has suffered is a major blow to their championship hopes. Two centres and three from the pack were all lost in a matter of days. Captain Guilhem Guirado leads from the front and understands Noves' vision for the side. It will be interesting to see how the French line up on Saturday, with Bastareaud re-called into the squad and the sizzling form of Remi Lamerat favourite to partner Gael Fickou in the centre. 

Eddie Jones leads his side into the game as 12 point favourites with the bookmakers, and his side will be hoping to hit the ground running. This Saturday evening fixture is sure to bring the best out of both sides, with the 9-10-12 axis of the England back line bound to create scoring opportunities at will for the home side. England captain Dylan Hartley is set to return from a spell on the sidelines, the right wing position for the hosts is up for grabs as Anthony Watson has been ruled out of action for 4 weeks.

Italy v Wales

Kick Off - 2:00 pm, Sunday

Location - Stadio Olimpico, Italy

Referee - JP Doyle (England)

TV - ITV/RTE Two

Conor O' Shea leads the Azzurri into his first 6 Nations game as head-coach, the Italians host Wales in the Stadio Olimpico in the Sunday fixture. Wales failed to fire in the November Test series and will be looking to improve on that form under interim coach Rob Howley, who guided Wales to their last championship in 2013.

The Italians displayed their potential as they beat South Africa in Florence during the autumn, they come into this fixture as 12 point underdogs with the bookmakers. But the Italian coaching staff of O' Shea, Brendan Venter and Mike Catt are confident they can steer the Italians towards a mid-table finish, helped by their 3 home fixtures.

Rob Howley has seen his side struggle in attack over the Autumn tests. If he can ensure that Wales can become more successful with a new brand of free-flowing, expansive rugby they are sure to become the force of old. With a group of exciting younsters in the squad and Alun-Wyn Jones taking over the captaincy, these combinations could be the fresh impetus the squad need.