Six Nations Third Round Fixtures (22nd/23rd Feb 2025)

As things stand, England, Scotland and France are still in with a shout while Ireland are clear favourites after winning their first two games. The weekend kicks off with Wales hosting Ireland in Cardiff before Scotland face England in London at Twickenham. The weekend concludes on Sunday in Rome where France will be hopeful of victory against Italy.

Kickoff: Saturday, 22 February @ 14:15 GMT

Team Form: Wales are normally a very dangerous opponents, especially at the Principality, however, the Red Dragons are winless in 15 games, stretching back to the 2023 Rugby World Cup group stage. The dismissal of Warren Gatland after their latest defeat speaks volumes for the pressure the team is under with Cardiff coach, Matt Sherratt taking over for the remainder of the competition.

In the opening two rounds, Wales have suffered a 43-0 defeat in France before going down 22-15 in Rome to Italy in round two. Ireland on the other hand have won their first two games, seeing off a spirited England performance in Dublin in round one before beating Scotland comfortably at Murrayfield in round two.

Team News: Ireland captain, Caelan Doris and hooker Ronan Kelleher will both miss this game through injury. There is, however, hope that they will both be fit for France in a fortnight. Tadhg Furlong, who missed the last game, is also still out.

Sherratt has been given the short-term job of seeing out the Six Nations with Wales as coach after Gatland was given the boot. While results are not expected, the Cardiff boss will want to put his stamp on things. The immediate change to the squad sees the return of Jarrod Evans, Gareth Anscombe and Max Llewellyn. Anscombe, highly rated by many, is likely to start at flyhalf.

Match Prediction:  Wales have not been given much of a chance here and I don't think the bravest fan can see them winning. Bet365 has set the handicap at 26.5 points, but with Gatland gone, the team may be reinvigorated, particularly in front of their home fans. Ireland are also missing three key players, so over 80 minutes, a comfortable win is on the cards for the defending Six Nations champions, but Wales can get inside that handicap.

Venue:  The Principality Stadium, among the best in Europe, has seen many dramatic Welsh wins over the years. On Saturday it is unlikely to be the case, however. Over the last eight games between Wales and Ireland at this venue, each have won four times. They last met at the Principality in February 2024, a game Ireland won 34-10.

Kickoff: Saturday, 22 February @ 16:45 GMT

Team Form:  Looking at results over the last 18 months and one wouldn't say England are in particularly good form. However, their performances have been good, at the very least, much-improved with many defeats coming by very narrow margins. In round one of the 2025 Six Nations, England pushed Ireland to the brink in Dublin, losing out 27-22 in the end but picked up a crucial losing bonus point. They bounced back brilliantly at home in round two, beating France 26-25 at Twickenham to keep their title hopes alive.

Scotland won in round one at home to Italy (31-19) but came up short against Ireland at Murrayfield in round two. It was a very disappointing performance by the Scots as they failed to match the Irish physicality over the course of 80 minutes. This is a must-win for both sides with the loser very likely out of the title race.

Team News: England have made just one change to the side that beat France with Ollie Chessum coming in for George Martin at lock. Fin Smith holds onto the flyhalf jersey after a man of the match performance against France while talisman, Marcus Smith again starts at 15. England have opted for a 6/2 bench split with the team already announced.

Gregor Townsend could look to freshen up his side after a flat performance at Murrayfield. Finn Russell and Darcy Graham both went off injured against Ireland and have yet to have their fitness confirmed. The result of those tests could go a long way in deciding the outcome of this fixture with those two the Scots biggest attacking threats, along with Duhan van der Merwe. The Calcutta Cup is the perfect game to lift the Scottish spirits after a poor last outing.

Match Prediction:  The bookmakers have the handicap at 8.5 in favour of England after their win over France. However, in their last seven matches, England only have win against the Scots. There was one draw and five Scottish victories, including the last four games.

Scotland were poor against Ireland, that cannot be argued, but England were rather fortunate to beat France and have a recent history of failing to close out tight games. I believe Scotland can at the very least get within the handicap margin, although a fifth consecutive win over the English shouldn't be ruled out.

Much will depend on whether Finn Russell is fit and whether the Scottish forwards can match the English physicality and set piece. If they do, it could be a very long afternoon for the hosts.

Venue:  In the last three games between these sides at Twickenham, Scotland have won twice and there was one draw (in 2019). This is not a ground that should send shivers down the spine of Scotland, but England will be in confident mood after defeating a strong French side.

Kickoff:  Sunday, 22 February @ 15:00 GMT

Match officials:  

Team Form: France will be disappointed with their current standing after two rounds. They were Six Nations favourites heading into the competition, but defeat in round 2 has put Ireland back in charge. On the opening weekend, France thrashed Wales 43-0 at home, but squandered numerous opportunities at Twickenham to win a game they eventually lost by a point. This simply is a must-win encounter for the French if they are to keep their title ambitions alive.

Italy are a vastly improved side and can challenge anyone on their day. They do tend to blow hot-and-cold every now and then but have already shown their quality this season. In round one they lost 31-19 in Scotland, but after a very slow start, were arguably the better side. In round two, Italy saw off Wales 22-15 at home in very wet and sluggish conditions. Last season, Italy drew 13-all against France away and would have won the game but for a last-minute missed kick.

Team News: France were very inaccurate against England in round two. It is not like Fabian Galthie to make too many emotional decisions, so I do expect a similar side to run-out for this must-win encounter. However, with Ireland awaiting in two weeks, we may see slight rotations.

Italy will field a very similar side, if not go in unchanged. They are superb at home and with the fans on their side, they can cause an upset, if France are not quite at the races.

Match Prediction: Italy are competitive wherever they play these days, but even more so on home soil. They are not just a plucky side anymore; they have genuine world class players across the squad. France are, however, one of the top sides in the world at the moment, so this is a tough assignment.

However, the 18.5 handicap looks steep to me with bet365. Italy have a fairly physical side and can hold their own at set piece. That is where France will target them, and if the visitors achieve good dominant, Antoine du Pont and co could run the hosts ragged.

But just like in 2024, if Italy can find parity at the breakdown and set piece, we are in for a very good encounter. Personally, I fancy Italy to come out on top in the handicap market.

Venue:  Italy have not beaten France since 2013 when they won 23-18 in Rome. There have been 15 matches since then with France winning 14 and a single draw from 2024. When these two last met in Rome, France won 29-24.