Ireland v Italy
Kick-off: 14:10 (UK) & 15:10 (ITA), Saturday 14 February, Aviva Stadium – Dublin
Watch live: Coverage available on ITV (UK), RTÉ (Ireland), Sky Italia (Italy)
Team News:
Ireland: Osborne; Baloucoune, Ringrose, McCloskey, Lowe; S Prendergast, Casey; Loughman, Sheehan, Clarkson; McCarthy, Ryan; Izuchukwu, Doris (capt), Conan.
Replacements: Kelleher, O’Toole, Furlong, Edogbo, Beirne, Timoney, Gibson-Park, Crowley.
Italy: Pani; Lynagh, Menoncello, Marin, Ioane, P Garbisi, Fusco; Fischetti, Nicotera, Ferrari; N Cannone, Zambonin; Lamaro (c), Zuliani, L Cannone.
Replacements: Di Bartolomeo, Spagnolo, Hasa, Ruzza, Favretto, Odiase, A Garbisi,
Ireland have dominated this fixture in the Six Nations era, winning 24 of their 25 meetings, including all 12 in Dublin — often by comfortable margins. However, Italy pushed the 2024 champions all the way in Rome last year, narrowly losing 17-22, and last weekend’s result will only strengthen belief within the Azzurri camp.
Italy showed impressive maturity to overcome Scotland in dreadful conditions, marrying clinical finishing with defensive physicality and a dominant set-piece platform. The Benetton trio of Niccolò Cannone, Michele Lamaro and Tommaso Menoncello form the spine of the side after standout performances last week and will relish the opportunity to engineer an upset in Dublin.
Ireland, meanwhile, were overpowered by France in the first half in Paris but improved significantly after the interval. Farrell has responded with six changes to his starting XV, adding greater ballast in the back row with Cormac Izuchukwu (Ulster) and Jack Conan (Leinster). Munster’s Edwin Edogbo is in line to make his debut from the bench, while his provincial teammate Craig Casey starts at scrum-half. Robert Baloucoune’s strong form for Ulster this season is rewarded with a place on the wing.
Recent encounters
2025 (Rome): Italy 17–22 Ireland
2024 (Dublin): Ireland 36–0 Italy
2023 (Rome): Italy 20–34 Ireland
Scotland v England
Kick-off: 16:40 (UK), Saturday 14 February, Murrayfield – Edinburgh
Watch live: Coverage available on ITV (UK)
Team News:
Scotland: Jordan, Steyn, Jones, Tuipulotu (capt), Dobie, Russell, White; McBeth, Turner, Z Fagerson, Brown, Cummings, Ritchie, Darge, Dempsey.
Replacements: Cherry, Schoeman, Millar-Mills, Williamson, M Fagerson, Horne, Hastings, Graham.
England: Steward; Roebuck, Freeman, Dingwall, Arundell; Ford, Mitchell; Genge, Cowan-Dickie, Heyes; Itoje (c), Chessum; Pepper, Underhill, Earl
Replacements: George, Rodd, Davison, Coles, T Curry, Pollock, Spencer, F Smith
The Calcutta Cup returns to Murrayfield for what promises to be another thunderous chapter in rugby’s oldest international rivalry. Few fixtures carry such history or intensity, and there will be little sentiment on show when these two meet on Valentine’s Day.
Since ending a 38-year winless run at Twickenham in 2021, Scotland have gained the upper hand, winning four of the last five meetings and three of the last four at Murrayfield. England, however, arrive in strong form on the back of a 12-match winning streak, while Scotland are looking to respond after last weekend’s defeat to Italy.
Victory in this fixture has often provided Gregor Townsend with crucial momentum in the championship, and that may need to be the case again. There are no Edinburgh players in the starting XV, with Glasgow Warriors heavily represented in the line-up. Scotland will again look to the likes of Jack Dempsey to lead the physical battle against England, and with dry conditions forecast, the stage is set for their free-flowing backline to make an impact. Much of that threat centres on Huw Jones at outside centre, who has scored six tries in five appearances against England.
Recent encounters
2025 (London): England 16-15 Scotland
2024 (Edinburgh): Scotland 30-21 England
2023 (London): England 23-29 Scotland
Wales v France
Kick-off: 15:10 (UK), Sunday 15 February, Principality Stadium – Cardiff
Watch live: Coverage available on BBC (UK)
Team News:
Wales: tba
France: Ramos; Attissogbe, Gailleton, Brau-Boirie, Bielle-Biarrey; Jalibert, Dupont (capt); Gros, Marchand, Aldegheri, Ollivon, Guillard, Cros, Jegou, Jelonch.
Replacements: Lamothe, Neti, Montagne, Flament, Meafou, Nouchi, Serin, Nene.
These sides have met 105 times, remarkably sharing 51 wins each (three draws). In recent years, however, the balance has shifted firmly in France’s favour, with Les Bleus winning the last seven meetings since 2020 — a run that reflects the contrasting trajectories of the two nations. Round 1 only reinforced that narrative, as France dismantled Ireland in Paris while Wales suffered a heavy defeat at the Allianz Stadium.
Steve Tandy’s side made a slow start in their opener and cannot afford a similar lapse against France, where physicality will be non-negotiable. There were signs of improvement after the break against England, with Aaron Wainwright among those carrying with real intent, but greater discipline and a faster start will be essential if they are to ignite the Principality crowd and challenge the French.
Recent encounters
2025 (Paris): France 43-0 Wales
2024 (Cardiff): Wales 24-45 France
2023 (Paris): France 41-28 Wales
