Pitchside with Ferris: Ireland v Wales, England v Scotland and France v Italy

Ireland v Wales, Saturday, 14:15

Ireland were impressive when itcame to their defensive roles and responsibilities last weekend. For largeperiods of the game they were on the back foot and ultimately it was theirdefence that won them the game.

They showed a lot of heart,enthusiasm and energy which should be a given at international rugby, but theymaintained that for large parts which was very pleasing.

They will have to improve theirattack heading into this game as Wales won’t let Ireland off the hook the wayScotland did.

If Ireland spend the same amountof time defending their own line this weekend, then it could turn in to anotherarm wrestle which had all the fans nervous last Saturday.

I think it is going to be aharder game for Ireland but hopefully their defence can be as resilient as itwas against Scotland and their attack creates more chances…

I must give credit to Wales lastweekend; they played a nice brand of Rugby which was very exciting to watch.

They were ruthless and took everyopportunity presented to them. Being under a new coaching team with Wayne Pivacand Stephen Jones, the hard work is paying off.

Wales will have to up their gamethis weekend if they are hoping to get a win away from Principality Stadium.

I struggle to see this happeningas the last time they beat Ireland away from home was way back in 2012. Walesbeing Wales, they will always fancy their chances.

I have a feeling with the experienced team Ireland has picked with Robbie Henshaw and Peter O’Mahony, these big players usually deliver at the Aviva in important games! I can see Ireland beating the handicap of –4 and winning the game, 27-18.

Prediction: 27-18 Ireland win

Scotland v England, Saturday, 16:45

Everyone can remember that battleback in March 2019 between Scotland and England when the game ended in a 38-alldraw!

I can sense a rivalry betweenScotland and England between not only the players but also the coaching staff.This is going to be an interesting watch.

I would be going for an Englishwin but for Scotland to run them tight. The weather is due to close in withthis storm on the way so we will have to wait and see what the weather will belike in Murrayfield, Edinburgh.

Usually when the weather is badit makes for a tougher, tighter game and that is exactly what Scotland willwant.

Scotland need to be more clinicalfor sure. Nobody could have predicted Stuart Hogg would have dropped the ballover the line… If that conversion had of been kicked then it would have beena level match!

It is those fine margins thatmake the difference at international level and generally you don’t get a secondchance to put things right. Stuart Hogg certainly didn’t get a second chance…

With Magnus Bradbury back atnumber 8, he is an exceptional player who will add a lot of strength and goforward to the team.

It is important that Scotland get off to a fast start in this game and keep the pressure on, what seems like a vulnerable English side at the minute.

They need to take it to England, up the physicality from last weekend against Ireland and be more clinical when they get 5-10 yards out from the line.

I am looking forward to watching this game and can see it ending pretty tight; I can’t see it being a crazy end to end game like it was last year. 16-14 in England’s favour, just a couple of points in it.

Prediction: 16-14 England win

France v Italy, Sunday, 15:00

France will be flying headinginto this game after the great start they had last weekend being 17-0 upagainst England at half time.

The last time England were heldscoreless for 40 minutes of Rugby was back in 1988, so that just shows you howgood the French were in their first half of this Six Nations.

With Shaun Edwards as their newdefence coach he has really brought that killer instinct to the team!

We all know how good France canbe with their talented bunch of youngsters, but ultimately it was theirdiscipline and work rate than won them the game last weekend in Paris.

Italy…… well what can I say.This team are up against it in every Six Nations and getting smashed by over 40points by Wales just creates a negative vibe once again.

They are a team who seem to bemaking up the numbers. It is not nice to watch at times and when the score was20-0 at half time against Wales, you know a team like Italy will never win thematch and inevitably will roll over. 

I can’t see Italy closing the high handicap in this game, but France can beat it as they have so much power coming off the bench and so many athletes in form.

I can’t see anything else other than a strong French win of 35-7, however the weather is due to be horrendous so could make it tricky for France to get any momentum going. 

Prediction: 35-7 France win

Stephen