Ireland look to capitalise as Wales face their toughest test

Key statistics for this weekend’s three Six Nations matches

Photo Credit: Dylan Martinez/WPA ROTA/PA

Ireland and Wales have won their opening two games but both face tough tests this weekend as Wales travel to France and Ireland host England. If one of the two slip up this weekend it will leave them at a massive disadvantage when they meet on the final weekend. Here are all the important statistics:

France v Wales (8.05pm, Friday, BBC2)
Wales have now won eight straight Six Nations matches but they lost 32-21 on their last trip to France two years ago. Even more worryingly for the tournament’s favourites is the fact that they have won just two of their last eight matches against Les Bleus. Since 2002, France have won seventeen of their nineteen Six Nations home games so the 2.46 that Betfair are offering on them triumphing shouldn’t be sniffed at.

Scotland v Italy (3pm, Friday, BBC1)
This match is the battle for the Wooden Spoon because one of these sides have finished bottom in each of the last five years and both lost their opening two games. Scotland start as favourites having won seven of their last ten against Italy but the visitors, who are available at 7/2 with Ladbrokes, have triumphed in the last two Six Nations clashes against the Scots. However, the Azzurri’s victory at Murrayfield two years ago was their only win in 24 Six Nations away games.

Ireland v England (5.30pm, Saturday, BBC1)
England have a strong record in Dublin with seven wins in their last eleven visits but that record has been on the wane in recent years, with Ireland winning three of their last four home games against Martin Johnson’s men. And while the exception in that run was a 42-6 massacre at Lansdowne Road in 2003, there appears to be scant chance of a repeat because Ireland have won four of their last five either home or away against England and have won 17 of their last 21 Six Nations home games.

Posted: February 27th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn |