Pitchside with Ferris: Our man on England v Wales and Scotland v France

England vWales, Saturday, 16:45

Wales will look at England’s game against Ireland and be thinking to themselves that the first thing they need to do is try to match them physically.

Itseems Dan Biggar is 50/50 after injuring himself playing for Northampton, andthat would be a huge loss if he doesn’t make it. Maybe his injury is one of thereasons why the Handicap is so high for this game.

Ithink both managers will be concentrating on their own teams in the lead up tothe match, focusing on getting a performance that will get the job done. Thisis Wayne Pivac’s first major tournament in charge of Wales and I can see himwanting his players to go out there and express themselves.

Hiscoaching style gives the players a bit of a free reign, and maybe trying to movethis big heavy English pack around will give Wales a chance in this match.

Theyhave got to win the collisions when they have the ball against England! Gettingdriven back by the energetic line speed won’t be the platform to attack from,as Ireland found out last week.

EddieJones was quite vocal before the tournament started that he wanted his team tobe the best team in the world. England have used that initial defeat to Franceas a kick up the backside. They have fought well throughout this tournament,even though they haven’t been at their best at times.

Theyalso showed the world what they are capable of in their game against Ireland withtheir physical dominance and a powerful display that makes it 3 from 3 againstIreland in recent games.

Ican see Eddie Jones’s approach remaining the same as it has been, and WaynePivac wanting his team to go out and play a bit of Rugby and move this Englishteam around. The weather supposed to be half decent in London; too, so fingerscrossed we are in for a treat.

Mybest value bet this weekend would be for England to beat the high Handicap inthis game.

Prediction: 32-14 England

Scotland v France, Sunday, 15:00

Thisgame has really grabbed my attention. There is a lot on the line for thisFrench team with the Grand Slam still very much alive. Would it shock me ifScotland beat France? Yes of course…but France have been unpredictable overthe last number of years in this tournament so that makes me question myprediction.

However,they have been a lot more consistent this year, and with discipline,physicality and work rate they should run out winners.

Scotlandplayed well in Rome; they really brought the game to the Italians. The scoreline flattered Italy in a way, 17-0, which they will be happy about. Scotlanddidn’t concede any points, or a try, and I think that is vitally importantheading into this match because we know the French are a team who play with alot of flare.

AdamHastings has relished the opportunity of filling Finn Russell’s boots and he’llbe full of confidence after scoring a try against the Italians. He will be akey man for Scotland if they are to upset all the odds.

TheScottish lads have lots of potential, but we have been saying that for years.Maybe they will surprise everyone yet again and put in a performance their homefans will be proud of.

Whatcan France take from their last number of games, especially their game againstWales? They have been very resilient and with their backs against the wall theyhave generally held out. That is something we haven’t said about a French teamin the last decade; a breath of fresh air at last within French rugby.

TheFrench are a team with a lot of young guys who seem to play with no fear andcan be very dangerous. France are going to Murrayfield full of confidence.

Theyare the ones that are playing the most attractive brand of Rugby in thecompetition, along with England. They seem to have a lot of players on form sothey will be fancying their chances in this game.

Ithink you would be a silly betting man to put your money on Scotland to winthis match. It is going to be a tight game, but I can see France coming out ontop.

Prediction: 19-24 France

Stephen.