Six Nations news: Round two predictions as Ireland face Italy and England head to Murrayfield

Round one of the Men’s Six Nations has been and gone, but immediately we shift our attention to round two, beginning on Saturday.

There are some eyewatering fixtures this weekend, and after the mixed bag of results in round one, predictions are completely up in the air.

Here, The Rugby Paper writer Will Judd gives his thoughts on each matchup and the likely outcome.

For exclusive stories and all the detailed rugby news you need, subscribe to The Rugby Paper website, digital edition, or newspaper from as little as 14p a day.

Ireland vs Italy

Italy have only beaten Ireland once since joining the Six Nations, which came in 2013 against a struggling Ireland side who only secured one victory all campaign, albeit against eventual winners Wales.

But the Azzurri will surely sense an opportunity for their first away victory against them.

Despite the rain, the Italians were brilliantly organised against Scotland, particularly in set pieces, which has so often been their downfall in the past.

Their professionalism and game management was top notch, something that can’t be said for Ireland in their opener.

Ahead of the tournament, this one would have been predicted by most as a simple Ireland win; at home to a team they haven’t lost to in over a decade. Easy right?

Well, there are some serious concerns coming out of Dublin after the performance last Thursday.

A loss was to be expected, but to be pointless at half time was a huge issue.

Ireland are in real danger of back-to-back losses in the championship for the first time since 2021 as Italy really did seem the stronger team in round one.

Perhaps on the balance of things, Ireland will still be the favourites heading into this one, largely due to being at home.

But this is definitely going to be the most closely contested battle between the two sides in years.

Scotland vs England

When the fixture list came out for the tournament, other than their final game in France, this game certainly would have caused some alarm bells from Steve Borthwick.

Scotland vs England is the one fixture every year in which the form book goes completely out the window and all predictions are based on feeling and venue.

For the most part of this decade, Scotland have held the Calcutta Cup with pride, before England defeated the old enemy for the first time since 2020 last year.

Both teams have had differing fortunes in the game before this one, with England cruising and Scotland struggling.

But for the Scottish, the horrendous weather in Rome did play a part in them not being able to utilise their tactics, and they will hope the weather in Murrayfield enables them to play at their best.

The blasting of Flower of Scotland for the first time this year will certainly give the men in blue a boost ahead of the game, but will their passion alone be enough to beat England?

Borthwick has doubled down on his intentions to play ‘Borth ball’, naming a six-two split on the bench of forwards and backs, with Marcus Smith missing from the squad entirely.

The only other changes come in the form of Maro Itoje returning to captain the side, dropping Alex Coles to the bench, and Luke Cowan-Dickie starting at hooker with Jamie George moved to the bench.

Scotland fans will surely fancy their chances at this one, despite a tough opening game. However, England may just have the firepower to produce a result to keep their chances of a Triple Crown alive.

Wales vs France

Given just how tough of a time Welsh rugby have had over the last few months, you would think that they could have been given an easier start to the Six Nations.

But no, only one week on from playing the most in-form northern hemisphere team, Wales now have to come up against the reigning Six Nations champions, fresh off the back of a huge victory over Ireland.

Steve Tandy’s men have been pushed headfirst into the deep end, and unfortunately, there is not much chance of a home victory.

With ticket sales expected not to be great, perhaps the usually unbreakable Principality atmosphere won’t add a boost either.

It is once again looking like operation damage limitation, or indeed a chance to experiment with selections.

For France, the result will give them and us the first direct comparison with England. The Roses slowed down in the second half last week, but will France do the same?

An annihilation bigger than England managed last week should place France as favourites come Paris on the final day.

The result is 99% a given, but it will be fascinating to see by how much the French take it, and how Wales tries to combat it.

READ MORE: Six Nations news: Maro Itoje back as England captain for game against Scotland