10/03/2017 Inside Six Nations

Has it really been two weeks since everyone was talking about the

Italian confusing tactics against England. Since Scotland got that big

win over Wales and Ireland kept alive their title hunt with the

dominant performance over France. The drama kicks off again here the

night in Cardiff, welcome to Inside Six Nations.

Welcome to Friday night rugby here in Cardiff.

We are under the roof of the principality Stadium, the music is

arm and Friday night vibe is just getting started. Ireland know only a

win will do to give themselves the best chance of lifting this trophy

again. I am joined by former Irish captain, Keith Wood who will be

lending his expertise. Before we speak to you, thank you for coming

to talk to us, let's look at some of the highlights from week three

including those Italian confusing tactics that had England so rattled.

The first home appearance of the championship for Ireland. Try given.

Ireland when the one tried. Their title challenge is still alive.

Scotland at home against Wales. Two Leigh Halfpenny. Lee Williams, first

try of the game. Scotland make it under Lee Groves.

The middle weekend of the six Nations championship of 2017. We

both know what the exact rule is. An extraordinary first half and an

extraordinary Italian performance. Italy take the lead. England are

going to finish in style. England have played three and they have won

three. What around it was. This round, round four, possibly the most

pivotal weekend of the tournament so far. Before we get into the

nitty-gritty, let's look ahead and have a look at the table as it

stands. England, the only team left unbeaten in the tournament. Ireland,

who play tonight against Wales in second on ten points. Scotland, who

go to Twickenham for the Calcutta Cup tomorrow, in third on nine

points. England know if results and bonus points go their way, they

could wrap up the six Nations title in Twickenham at Twickenham Surrey,

again Scotland tomorrow. The Scots haven't won there in 34 years. It

could be a title deciding weekend. We will see how this result goes

between Wales and Ireland at the principality stadium. Standing

patiently on the sidelines is the former Ireland captain, Keith Wood.

Let's look back at some of the highlights from week three. What did

you make of the controversy about Italian tactics, refusing to form

the offside line up the breakdown, causing the confusion and rattling

England? No controversy, it was tactically very strong and very

astute. It upset England because they didn't know what to do. They

should know what to do. All the teams around at the moment would

know it is an option. It is never used to the fall extent that Italy

used it. I thought England came off badly out of it. Did you think they

sounded unsportsmanlike, Eddie Jones saying it wasn't rugby? It was a bit

sour, but he was standing up for his team, his team struggled on the

field. Ultimately, it didn't work out but it could have been closer if

they had put over a few more kicks, Italy. I don't want to see it every

week, I don't think we need to change the rules on it, but it was a

great opposing question for the Six Nations. What about Scotland, the

amazing win over Wales, they go to Twickenham for the Calcutta Cup

tomorrow resurgent and possibly in with a chance of causing an upset? I

have been going to Murrayfield for the last ten years and Scotland

haven't had a great period of time. But in the last two years it is

better and better. They beat Ireland by being the better team on the

field and they beat Wales by blowing them away in the second half. Wales

will be disturbed and upset by the lack of energy in the second half.

But Scotland are riding on the crest of a wave. I don't know if it is

enough to go to Twickenham and Brake 34 years of grief. England have won

all their matches, but they haven't sparked yet. Let's have a look at

how the home nations teams have been preparing for this weekend. Starting

here in Cardiff where we have spent the week with team Wales. Interim

head coach Rob Howley has made a total of zero changes to the side

that lost to Scotland. There was some speculation that the Lupe Fala

Tower, fit after recovering from injury will be brought in. But Ross

Moriarty keeps his place alongside Justin Tipuric and Sam Warburton in

the back row. Luke Charteris also tipped to be brought into the site,

but he remains on the bench. International rugby is about winning

rugby. This game is no different to the game last Saturday, and England

a week before. Every international game is about winning. For me, that

is the same consistent message to our players. It is win or bust for

Ireland against Wales, anything less and a victory could signal the end

of their hopes of securing a third Six Nations title in four years.

They are three points behind England, who they will face next

weekend, which could be a championship decider. They have

named an unchanged starting 15 for the clash in Cardiff where they are

expecting an intimidating atmosphere. Regardless of the roof

being closed, it will be really loud. It is probably one of the best

stadiums to play in because the atmosphere is electric. If you feel

you are shouting at your fellow players during a normal game, you

have to scream at each other because it will be hard to each other. Eddie

Jones will have thought long and hard before putting the league and a

polar straight back in, but he has been named on a powerful looking

bench. The likes of Billy and Mako Vunipola and Benatia will be

unleashed on Scotland in the final quarter. It looks like England's

strongest 23 in this championship. Have they been riding their luck so

far in the Six Nations, or are they due a big performance to set up the

Grand Slam showdown in Dublin next weekend. We will just concentrate on

ourselves. We have had a great two week preparation, fantastic week at

Oxford. We have had two good days of training here. We are looking

forward to playing in the historic Calcutta Cup. Scotland haven't won

here at Twickenham since 1983. In fact, they have only one in four

matches here. In pursuit of a fifth victory, stands by the team that

beat Wales with one exception. Hamish Watson comes into the injured

John Hardy. They have a formula that is working very well. Coming on and

finishing games of in the last ten minutes. It is something we are

aware of and I think they will comfortably move through the gears

as the game goes on and we have to stay with them. We are about an hour

and a half away from kick-off in the first of the fixtures in what is

likely to be a pivotal weekend of Six Nations rugby. Keith Wood,

Wales, Ireland here at the principality stadium on a Friday

night, always a fantastic fixture. Do you think Ireland will win this

one? I know you have a bit of bias, but will they do enough to cling on

to the championship dreams? This is a great crowd, the friendliest of

the lot. Ireland have no fear coming here. If Ireland can get a few

points on the board early, they will have a comfortable win. Maybe it is

too much of a bias, but I've never want to give a sucker an even break.

Wales are struggling at the moment and if they get a bit of confidence

up, they will be hard to beat. England, the favourite to win the

men's title. Similar in the women's as well.

When you have waited seven years for a Six Nations win, it is worth

celebrating. In means the world to every single one of us. We have

worked so hard for it. Blood, sweat and tears. We have bonded and gelled

as a team. It goes on from here. Scotland had been facing a familiar

feeling of defeat, falling behind the Wales. But Rhona Lloyd put them

within touching distance. 12/14 down in the final minutes, it fell to

Sarah Law to kick for victory. She slotted home. The wind, by a single

point, but they will take it. Ireland kept their 100% record

intact. Grinding out a win over the defending champions, France. England

had it easy against the Italians, running in five tries. Vicky

Fleetwood scored a hat-trick to get the winning bonus point. Thanks to

the superior points difference, England top the table above Ireland.

If they both win this weekend, it comes down to a Grand Slam decider

between them on St Patrick's Day in Dublin.

So the first match for the women this weekend see Wales

host Ireland tomorrow morning just next door at Cardiff Arms Park

with England against Scotland at the Stoop tomorrow afternoon.

Highlights of all the women's matches are on Sunday on BBC Two

with some regional variations so check your listings.

To the men, Wales against Ireland tonight of course

Tomorrow at half one, Italy host France and then

England against Scotland, the Calcutta Cup, kicks off at

four, coverage of that one on Radio Five Live and highlights

of all the fourth round matches again on BBC Two on Sunday night.

There is always something special about rugby on a Friday night,

especially here in Wales. Wales have posted six out of the seven Friday

night fixtures and they are always pretty fiery affairs. Let's hope for

another one tonight. Thanks for watching. Goodbye.