Six Nations Week 3 - Predictions

After getting 3 out of 3 last week (and now being 6 from 6 for the season) here's the scores on my predictor for what is the most difficult to call week yet:

Wales 18-29 France (Friday)
Italy 12-19 Scotland
England 21-16 Ireland

Tonight first, and I've gone with France to continue their march towards the championship with a win in Cardiff.  They were dominant against Ireland while Wales were rubbish for 60 minutes against Scotland before beating a side who self-destructed.  They won't have that luxury against the French who are settled and capable of giving them a thumping, particularly in the back-row, where the Scottish boys even made Wales look bad last week.

Tomorrow, despite the injuries - and for the first time this season - I'm going for a Scotland win.  I think the confidence gleaned from the position we held against Wales last week should see us through - as long as that has been the focus (and not the last 10, when we threw it away).  Discipline has to be the key word, and good game management.  Do that, and we should be fine.

Finally, I've gone with England at home to an Ireland side smarting from their thumping last week.  Neither played well - indeed, England were brutal in their win - but you'd still rather be coming off the back of a win than a loss.  I don't think this will be a pretty encounter, but I'm giving England the edge.  They only lost to eventual Grand Slam winners Ireland by a point - in Dublin - last year and I think they are due a performance.

Another 3 from 3?  That's as likely as 0 from 3 - this week is so hard to call.