France v England - Preview

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England have made two changes to the side that beat Wales with scrum-half Danny Care and prop Mako Vunipola coming into the side.

They take the places of Ben Youngs and Joe Marler, who both move to the bench.

France coach Guy Noves has also made two changes - both in the back row.

Loann Goujon replaces Yacouba Camara at number eight, while Bernard Le Roux makes his first appearance of this Six Nations in place of Wenceslas Lauret.

France head coach Guy Noves: "We need to bring the freshness in the team for Saturday's game.

"I believe in our team. I am sure that our team can take on great challenges.

"I believe our team can compete with the power of the English. This team is young, but we give them our confidence."

England head coach Eddie Jones: "While we are pleased to have already won the championship we don't want to let our foot off the gas.

"The objective has always been to win every game, to be the most dominant team in Europe, so it's been very important for us to approach this week with the same level of intensity we have shown in previous weeks.

"I'm pleased with how we have prepared and with the focus the squad have shown.

"You can't underestimate any team in Test match rugby. France are a dangerous side but we go to Paris full of confidence and a hunger to get the win."

England's only victory at the Stade de France since 2008 was 24-22 in 2012.

The last five Test matches between France and England have all been won by the home side.

France have stopped an opponent from claiming a Grand Slam on four previous occasions, beating England, Wales and Ireland in Paris in 1954, 1965 and 1982 respectively, and Wales in Cardiff in 1988.

They have finished in the bottom half of the table in the last four Six Nations (4th, 6th, 4th, 4th).

They are attempting to win a Grand Slam for the 13th time and for the first time since 2003.

England are bidding to become only the third side to win a Six Nations Grand Slam after playing three of their games away from home - following Wales in 2005 and Ireland in 2009.

They have a poor recent record in matches in which they could have won a Grand Slam, winning only one of their last six opportunities.

France

5-Scott Spedding, 14-Wesley Fofana, 13-Gael Fickou, 12-Maxime Mermoz, 11-Virimi Vakatawa, 10-Francois Trinh-Duc, 9-Maxime Machenaud; 1-Jefferson Poirot, 2-Guilhem Guirado (captain), 3-Rabah Slimani, 4-Alexandre Flanquart, 5-Yoann Maestri, 6-Damien Chouly, 7-Bernard Le Roux, 8-Loann Goujon

Replacements: 16-Camille Chat, 17-Uini Atonio, 18-Xavier Chiocci, 19-Paul Jedrasiak, 20-Wenceslas Lauret, 21-Sebastien Bezy, 22-Jules Plisson, 23-Maxime Medard

England

15-Mike Brown, 14-Anthony Watson, 13-Jonathan Joseph, 12-Owen Farrell, 11-Jack Nowell,10-George Ford, 9-Danny Care; 1-Mako Vunipola, 2-Dylan Hartley (captain), 3-Dan Cole, 4-Maro Itoje, 5-George Kruis, 6-Chris Robshaw, 7-James Haskell, 8-Billy Vunipola

Replacements: 16-Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17-Joe Marler, 18-Kieran Brookes, 19-Joe Launchbury, 20-Jack Clifford, 21-Ben Youngs, 22-Manu Tuilagi, 23-Elliot Daly.

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Nigel Owens (WRU)

Assistant referees: John Lacey (IRFU) & Leighton Hodges (WRU)

TMO: Ben Skeen (NZR)

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Ireland v Scotland - Preview

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Tommy O'Donnell replaces Josh van der Flier in Ireland's only change from the side which beat Italy. Captain Rory Best will play after recovering from a minor calf problem.

Duncan Weir starts at fly-half for Scotland, deputising for Finn Russell, who was forced off early against France with concussion.

Peter Horne, who impressed after coming on for Russell, is again named as a replacement, while Ryan Wilson starts at number eight ahead of Josh Strauss.

Scotland's third change sees Tim Swinson come in for lock Jonny Gray, who is sidelined by a torn pectoral muscle.

Alastair Eykyn: "These two need a big finish. The Irish started as back-to-back champions, but they could end the campaign as low as fifth.

"Even allowing for extensive injuries, and some carnival rugby against Italy, that would be a stinker of a campaign - and no way to finish off the Paddy's Day celebrations!

"After a slow start, Scotland are flying, and they have a golden chance to nail down three Championship wins for the first time in 20 years.

"The extra spice is added by two old friends going head-to-head. Kiwis Joe Schmidt and Vern Cotter, coaching pals from Clermont days, are now trying to outwit each other on the international stage." 

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt: "If we can get that top-half finish I'd be very happy that we've worked our way through a pretty challenging time.

"Hopefully that could give us a little bit of a platform into what is an incredibly tough second half of the year.

"We're going to play the top three teams in the world in six Test matches - three of those away in Africa, where we've never, ever won a Test match before."

Scotland head coach Vern Cotter: "I am probably more focused on the game itself than giving a review on the whole [tournament].

"We want to put in a good performance this weekend and we're focusing on that.

"We're not thinking about the [IRB] rankings either - just about the game. We're just concentrating on being good on the day, because being good on the day is what counts.

Ireland have beaten Scotland 13 times in 16 Six Nations fixtures.

Ireland's 40-10 victory at Murrayfield last year equalled their biggest winning margin against the Scots (they won 36-6 at Murrayfield in 2003).

The Scots have lost eight of nine Tests away to Ireland since the turn of the century. Their sole victory was a 23-20 win at Croke Park in 2010.

Their last win at Lansdowne Road/Aviva Stadium was a 17-16 win in 1998.

Ireland are unbeaten in their last eight Six Nations home games (W6, D2) - their best home run in the history of the Championship.

Robbie Henshaw has carried the ball more than any other back in this year's Six Nations. His 55 carries have earned Ireland 258m.

Ireland's tackle success rate of 92% is the best in this year's Championship.

They also boast the best scrum record, with 27 won and just one lost.

Victory would see the Scots win three successive Six Nations games for the first time.

The last time they were victorious in three consecutive Five Nations games was in 1996, when they won their opening three against Ireland, France and then Wales.

The only previous Six Nations campaign in which they won three games in total was in 2006.

Greig Laidlaw will captain his country for the 26th time on Saturday - surpassing David Sole's record for most caps won as Scotland's skipper.

Scotland are the least penalised team in this year's Six Nations, conceding just 35 penalties in their four matches.

Ireland

15-Simon Zebo, 14-Andrew Trimble, 13-Jared Payne, 12-Robbie Henshaw, 11-Keith Earls, 10-Jonathan Sexton, 9-Conor Murray; 1-Jack McGrath, 2-Rory Best (c), 3-Mike Ross, 4-Donnacha Ryan, 5-Devin Toner, 6-CJ Stander, 7-Tommy O'Donnell, 8-Jamie Heaslip.

Replacements: 16-Richardt Strauss, 17-Cian Healy, 18-Nathan White, 19-Ultan Dillane, 20-Rhys Ruddock, 21-Eoin Reddan, 22-Ian Madigan, 23-Fergus McFadden.

Scotland

15-Stuart Hogg, 14-Tommy Seymour, 13-Duncan Taylor, 12-Alex Dunbar, 11-Tim Visser, 10-Duncan Weir, 9-Greig Laidlaw (c); 1-Alasdair Dickinson, 2-Ross Ford, 3-Willem Nel, 4-Richie Gray, 5-Tim Swinson, 6-John Barclay, 7-John Hardie, 8-Ryan Wilson.

Replacements: 16-Stuart McInally, 17-Rory Sutherland, 18- Moray Low, 19-Rob Harley, 20-Josh Strauss, 21-Henry Pyrgos, 22-Peter Horne, 23-Sean Lamont.

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Pascal Gauzere (France)

Assistant referees: Craig Joubert (South Africa) & Alexandre Ruiz (France)

TMO: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)

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Wales v Italy - Preview

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Dan Lydiate will captain Wales in a Test match for the first time on Saturday, while Rhys Webb is preferred to Gareth Davies at scrum-half.

The other three changes are linked to injuries, with Justin Tipuric, Luke Charteris and Hallam Amos coming in.

Italy make five enforced changes. Tommy Allan is back at fly-half, with Andrea Pratichetti in for Michele Campagnaro.

Quintin Geldenhuys and Valerio Bernabo are selected in the second row and Martin Castrogiovanni is back at prop.

Wales head coach Warren Gatland: "This weekend it is all about finishing off the tournament well and putting in a big performance.

"Saturday is a good chance for some of the players to redeem themselves.

"A lot of questions have been asked about Italy. I think they thoroughly deserve to be in the Six Nations. They have contributed to it enormously and had some great wins over the years."

Italy head coach Jacques Brunel: "The spine of the team is not different to that which has played this tournament.

"Wales, like Ireland, is capable of playing with great effectiveness. We cannot concede them time and space like we did in Dublin. It will be crucial to slow down their play and maintain the right attitude for the whole 80 minutes."

Head-to-head

Wales have won nine matches in a row against Italy since a 23-20 defeat in Rome in 2007.

The closest Italy have ever come to beating their hosts in Wales was an 18-18 draw in 2006 at the now-Principality Stadium. The Italians have lost their other 11 away games against Wales.

Wales could earn six successive victories at the Principality Stadium for the first time. They won their opening five Tests there in 1999. They have won their concluding Six Nations match in each of the past four seasons.

Italy have only won two of their 42 Six Nations away fixtures, both in Edinburgh.

They have lost 11 of their last 13 matches, with their only wins coming in the World Cup pool stage against Canada and Romania.

Wales

15-Liam Williams, 14-George North, 13-Jonathan Davies, 12-Jamie Roberts, 11-Hallam Amos; 10-Dan Biggar, 9-Rhys Webb; 1-Rob Evans, 2-Scott Baldwin, 3-Samson Lee, 4-Bradley Davies, 5-Luke Charteris, 6-Dan Lydiate (captain), 7-Justin Tipuric, 8-Taulupe Faletau

Replacements: 16-Ken Owens, 17-Gethin Jenkins, 18-Aaron Jarvis, 19-Jake Ball, 20-Ross Moriarty, 21-Gareth Davies, 22-Rhys Priestland, 23-Gareth Anscombe

Italy

15-David Odiete, 14-Leonardo Sarto, 13-Andrea Pratichetti, 12-Gonzalo Garcia, 11-Mattia Bellini, 10-Tommaso Allan, 9-Guglielmo Palazzani; 1-Andrea Lovotti, 2-Davide Giazzon, 3-Martin Castrogiovanni, 4-Quintin Geldenhuys, 5-Valerio Bernabo, 6-Francesco Minto, 7-Alessandro Zanni, 8-Sergio Parisse (captain),

Replacements: 16-Oliviero Fabiani, 17-Matteo Zanusso, 18-Dario Chistolini, 19-Jacopo Sarto, 20-Abraham Steyn, 21-Alberto Lucchese, 22-Kelly Haimona, 23-Luke McLean.

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Romain Poite (France)

Assistant referees: Wayne Barnes (England) & Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)

TMO: George Ayoub (Australia)

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Tommy O'Donnell Returns for Ireland

Tommy O'Donnell has been named in Ireland's starting 15 for Saturday's final Six Nations clash with Scotland.

He comes in at number seven ahead of Josh van Der Flier. Otherwise, it's the same side who comprehensively beat Italy last weekend.

"Josh has shipped a couple of knocks in the last two games, he took another knock on Monday. It's been an attritional few weeks for Josh, with big 80 mins back to back. He's fit to play, but carrying a few knocks," said Schmidt.

"Conversely, Tommy has trained very well. He hasn't had the luckiest of preparations in previous times. We're looking forward to him contributing with an athletic performance.

"Josh has involved himself a lot, contact work has been high and we felt it was pertinent to give him a rest.

"We've tried to balance continuity with opportunity during this Six Nations and we're hoping it might bear a bit of fruit down the line."

Rory Best proved his fitness at Ireland’s training session and he will link up with Jack McGrath and Mike Ross in the front-row, with Donnacha Ryan and Devin Toner in the engine room and CJ Stander, O'Donnell and Jamie Heaslip in the back-row.

Conor Murray will partner Johnny Sexton as Robbie Henshaw and Jared Payne link up in midfield and Keith Earls, Andrew Trimble and Simon Zebo continue in the back three.

The head coach is intent on building as many combinations as possible ahead of the three Test summer tour of South Africa as his side look to maintain their place on the World Rugby rankings table at the end of the competition.

Defeat could have major implications on Ireland’s prospects for the 2019 World Cup, with no decision yet taken on whether the draw will be made at the end of this year.

Schmidt’s side are currently ranked seventh, but with three games against South Africa, two against New Zealand and one each against and Australia to come in 2016, their ranking could take a battering, but victory over ninth-ranked Scotland would give them some breathing space in their bid to remain in the top-eight teams.

Ireland

S Zebo (Munster), A Trimble, J Payne (both Ulster), R Henshaw (Connacht), K Earls (Munster), J Sexton (Leinster), C Murray (Munster); J McGrath (Leinster), R Best (Ulster, capt), M Ross (Leinster), D Ryan (Munster), D Toner (Leinster), CJ Stander (Ulster), T O'Donnell (Munster), J Heaslip (Leinster).

Replacements: R Strauss, C Healy (both Leinster), N White, U Dillane (both Connacht), R Ruddock, E Reddan, I Madigan, F McFadden (all Leinster).

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Gatland Issues Apology for Banter

Warren Gatland has apologised for referring to an abusive comment aimed at prop Samson Lee by England's Joe Marler as "just banter".

Marler apologised to Lee for calling him a "Gypsy boy" during Saturday's Six Nations match at Twickenham.

Gatland made his comment on Tuesday, but, in a statement on Wednesday, said: "I don't condone racism of any kind."

Lee added: "I personally believe the comments to have been intended as banter and accepted Joe's apology."

After Gatland referred to Saturday's incident as "banter", ex-Wales captain Gareth Thomas tweeted: "I'm sorry, but I cannot agree with this as banter. Poor excuse."

Romany Gypsy advocate and activist Shay Clipson earlier told BBC Radio Wales Gatland should be "held accountable" for his comment.

Cardiff North Welsh Assembly member and former MP Julie Morgan said on Twitter: "Gatland dismissing 'gypsy boy' taunt as 'banter' has sent rugby backwards."

Marler faces a hearing on Wednesday after being cited for allegedly elbowing another Wales prop, Rob Evans, in England's 25-21 victory.

Gatland's statement continued: "I apologise for any offence my use of the word banter may have caused.

"My intention was to take the focus away from Samson, a private individual, and enable him and the rest of squad to prepare for the final game of the championship.

"My comments were made following a discussion with Samson about the incident."

A Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) statement added: "The WRU does not condone racism of any kind. The incident is being investigated by the Six Nations and we would welcome a definitive and speedy conclusion to their investigation.

"The WRU recognises that Warren's overriding intention was to protect Samson by playing down the incident and that his comments were made following a thorough consultation with Samson and with his support."

In the same statement, Lee, who is from a Traveller background, added: "I stand beside Warren.

"Warren is fiercely protective of the team and his comments were made based on conversations with me and with the intention of deflecting attention away from me."

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Payne and Zebo Return for Ireland

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Joe Schmidt has insisted Jared Payne is too important to Ireland's defence at outside centre to consider the Ulsterman at full-back.

Head coach Schmidt revealed Ireland have not run New Zealand-born utility back Payne at full-back at all in training across the RBS 6 Nations.

Simon Zebo slots in for hamstring injury victim Rob Kearney in the No 15 jersey for Saturday's clash with Italy in Dublin, where Ireland are aiming for their first win in this year's championship at the fourth attempt.

Schmidt claimed he was never tempted to deploy fit-again Payne at full-back and hand Ulster battering ram Stuart McCloskey another opportunity in the centre.

"I don't know what calls there were on the outside for Jared to play full-back," said Schmidt.

"We haven't trained with Jared at 15 so it would be a big step for us to suddenly change that. Rob Kearney trained on Monday and Simon Zebo has played plenty of full-back for us.

"What we lack with Jared Payne not in the midfield has been particularly evident for us, particularly on the edge in defence. We're looking for him to control our defence again in the frontline."

"I've seen a lot of young players really hampered by being thrust into an environment they are not ready for." - Joe Schmidt

Reigning champions Ireland have relinquished their title after two defeats and a draw, building the pressure on boss Schmidt for a victory this weekend.

Ireland have only ever lost once to Italy in Dublin, a 37-29 defeat in 1997, so Saturday's Aviva Stadium clash ought to be the prime chance to experiment and build for the future.

Instead Schmidt has selected his strongest available starting line-up, with Payne's return at outside centre indicative of Ireland's desperation for victory.

The 30-year-old missed Ireland's 21-10 defeat to England at Twickenham with hamstring trouble but has trained without impediment all week.

Ulster powerhouse McCloskey formed a bruising centre pairing with Henshaw against England, but Schmidt has now jumped at the chance to slot Payne back into midfield.

McCloskey drops out of Ireland's matchday squad altogether, the luckless fall guy given Schmidt's reliance on calm customer Payne to bind the backline defence.

Schmidt insisted his selection policy was not "overly conservative", in light of handing McCloskey and young Leinster flanker Josh Van der Flier Test debuts at Twickenham two weeks ago.

"I think we really experimented in the last game," said Schmidt. "To put two guys into their Test match debuts at Twickenham away against a very settled and strong English side, and to have another make his debut off the bench.

"I don't think that's something that's overly conservative, it's giving opportunity and at the same time you're always looking for balance.

"I've been coaching professionally now for 15 years and I've seen a lot of young players really hampered by being thrust into an environment they are not ready for.

"They can lose their confidence and sometimes they don't quite come back in the same way.

"So it's just about getting to know the players and trying to have a balance of opportunity and, at the same time, experience."

Munster wing Keith Earls hailed Payne as the glue in Ireland's backline, insisting the former New Zealand Under-21s star has the knack of helping those around him to shine.

"JP's been brilliant since he's come in," said Earls. "I suppose he took a bit of stick during the World Cup and maybe the last few months, but he's very important to our backline.

"He's a typical Kiwi; really calm, he performs under pressure, makes things look easy and makes players around him look good. And that's great for those of us inside and outside him."

Ireland

S Zebo; A Trimble, J Payne, R Henshaw, K Earls; J Sexton, C Murray; J McGrath, R Best (capt), M Ross; D Ryan, D Toner; CJ Stander, J van der Flier, J Heaslip.

Replacements: S Cronin, C Healy, N White, U Dillane, R Ruddock, K Marmion, I Madigan, F McFadden.

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Castrogiovanni Banned for Aviva Trip

The Italy prop Martin Castrogiovanni has been banned for two weeks after stamping on Scotland’s Duncan Taylor during Saturday’s Six Nations encounter in Rome.

Castrogiovanni, who has made 118 Test appearances for Italy, appeared as a second-half replacement in Scotland’s 36-20 victory at the Stadio Olimpico and appeared to direct a stamp towards Taylor’s foot.

The Italy forward appeared before the Six Nations disciplinary committee on Wednesday when he acknowledged that he had committed the act of foul play.

The committee announced: “Mr Castrogiovanni, who has the right of appeal, is suspended up to and including Sunday 13 March 2016”, meaning he will miss the 12 March trip to Ireland in Dublin.

The committee, chaired by Mike Hamlin (England) along with Tommy Dalton (Ireland) and Rhian Williams (Wales), said it “found that the act of foul play warranted a red card” but that “the act was at the lower end of World Rugby’s sanctions, carrying a two-week suspension.

“Having considered the various mitigating factors involved, including the player’s admission and his regret at his actions, the disciplinary committee found that these were not sufficient to merit a reduction in the entry-point sanction and suspended Mr Castrogiovanni for two weeks.”

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Murray Will Be Ready for Italian Job

Conor Murray is “lucky” to be fit for Ireland’s Six Nations match against Italy in Dublin, according to the assistant coach Richie Murphy.

Murray received eight stitches around his eye after being kicked in the face accidentally by full-back Mike Brown in Ireland’s 21-10 defeat to England at Twickenham on Saturday.

Murray sat out training on Tuesday but is expected to face Italy on Saturday week after escaping serious injury in the Twickenham loss. Brown avoided censure after being deemed to have legitimately attempted to kick the ball clear at the ruck when catching Murray in the face, with the scrum-half on the ground after a tackle.

“Conor’s got a split next to his eye, he’s had eight stitches but he’s grand,” said Murphy. “He didn’t train today, we’re just looking after him a little bit.

“He’s obviously a little bit bumped up, he got a bit of treatment in that game, so it’s a case of looking after him. He was lucky obviously it was just in the corner of the eye, but he’s fine and he’ll be ready for next week.”

Jared Payne should be fit for the visit of Italy, with the Ulster centre closing in on a return after hamstring trouble. The 30-year-old missed Ireland’s defeat at Twickenham after damaging his hamstring in the 10-9 loss to France, but is now on course to face the Italians.

“Jared Payne did a full session today, not with the team but with the fitness guys and the medics,” said Murphy, confirming Ireland have no further fresh injury concerns. “He came through that fine and it looks like he’ll be fully fit to start next week.”

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