Six Nations: Round Five

March 17, 2006

It's the last round of the Six Nations tournament and the champion will be decided.

But it won't be decided by Italy or Scotland. The Scots travel to Rome Saturday. Rugby Planet picks Italy by 2 or 3 points; bookies have Scotland winning by 3 points.

All three tests are played Saturday, and immediately following the opening Scotland vs. Italy test comes Wales vs. France at Cardiff. The game should be fascinating -- last years' champs against this years likely winners. Rugby Planet is predicting a one point win for the Welsh, but bookies run the other way and see the visitors taking the title with a 12-point win.

If France do stumble in Cardiff, then Twickenham should be electrified for the last test of the tournie -- England vs. Ireland -- which kicks-off minutes afterwards. The Irish still have a chance to take the tournament, and a French loss would provide them that chance, but a victory in Fortress England against a desperate team is a huge ask. But this is a solid Ireland squad and the English are in disarray right now, so if there's a time for them to steal a victory, it's now. Rugby Planet looks into the crystal ball and sees a four-point St. Patrick's Day for the Emerald Isle. Bookies see otherwise, and are picking a 7-point win for England.