Five talking points ahead of this weekends 6 Nations

Can Wales deal with Ireland’s kicking game?

After England failed to deal with Ireland’s kicking game last time out, we will see this weekend if Warren Gatland’s Wales can do what England failed to do and deal with Ireland’s high balls. Joe Schmidt has been a tactical mastermind so far for Ireland and after Stuart Lancaster failed to come up with the right game plan for England we will see what tricks Warren Gatland has up his sleeves to prevent another Ireland win. With Wales looking to end Ireland’s dreams of a Grand Slam, how will Gatland and Wales prevent Murray and Sexton from dominating proceedings. We will find out at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

Will Philippe Saint-Andre regret not bringing Picamoles back into the side

With France travelling to Rome on Sunday, Philippe Saint-Andre has made eight changes from the side that lost to France but their is still no room in the side for Louis Picamoles. Yes it is true that Picamoles is only returning from a long term injury but he has returned to the Toulouse starting XV and with France struggling at the moment he is needed in the French side. Goujon will make his first start for France on Sunday but you have to wonder if Saint-Andre should have brought Picamoles back into the fold against an Italian side who have beaten France in the last two games played in Italy.

Can Russell make the difference for Scotland?

After missing the Italy game through suspension. Scotland welcome back their first choice fly-half Finn Russell. With Scotland looking for their first Calcutta Cup success since 2008 they travel to Twickenham where they have had a terrible record. Vern Cotter will be delighted to have Russell back in the side and will look for the Glasgow man to control the game and get the better of George Ford and guide his side to victory. It will be a big ask for Scotland to come away with a win but if Russell is at the top of his game they are in with a chance.

Will we see George North come alive on Saturday?

Not to say George North has underperformed in Wales 6 Nations campaign, but we have yet to see him at his best. After missing the Scotland game with a head injury he returned to the starting XV against France and performed well but Gatland would love to see more of an impact from the Northampton Saints winger on Saturday. He comes up against Simon Zebo who is not known for being the greatest of defenders and he will look to cause him problems all afternoon with his pace and power.

Can the Italians make Rome a fortress?

Each year we wonder what to expect from Italy in the Six Nations and they didn’t surprise us in the opening two rounds losing comprehensively to Ireland and England. However they shocked us all securing only their second ever away win in the championship defeating Scotland at Murrayfield. They now entertain France in Rome where France have lost on their last two visits with Italy now looking to secure two wins in the championship and condemn either France or Scotland to the wooden spoon. The Italians have beaten every team except for England in Rome and if they are to improve in the championship they need to turn the Stadio Olimpico into a fortress starting with beating France on Sunday and hopefully securing another win against Wales a week later.

Ciaran Fallon