First up on Saturday we have Ireland vs Wales in Dublin and, with the best will in the world, I can't see the depleted Welsh XV being able to compete with what looks like a very strong Irish team. Leaving out Robbie Henshaw is a strange thing for Andy Farrell to have done (not least because he was in my fantasy team), but whereas Ireland have strength in depth, the fact that Wales have chosen (or have been forced) to play a very good winger (Josh Adams) out off position in the centres, shows the problems they have. A comfortable win, therefore, for Ireland by 12+.
Following the match in Dublin we have Scotland vs England in Edinburgh. For the first time in a long time Scotland probably enter a game against the English as firm favourites. The Scots are pretty much at full strength, whereas English injury travails are well documented and there is an experimental flavour to the England lineup. Weather conditions are set to be abysmal, which makes any prediction something of a lottery. The Scots really should take this but, ever the optimist, I'm going for England by 6-9.
Finally, on Sunday, the sacrificial Italian lambs head to Paris for France vs Italy and what is largely predicted to be a ritual slaughter. The French look so strong, with attacking threats everywhere, and thoroughly deserve their status as pre-championship favourites. Italy will be hoping for a large dollop of French complacency (by no means an impossibility) and a fast start to the game, but it is difficult to see past a French win and anything below a 20 point margin would be a disappointment.
