RWC adds spice to Six Nations

SIX Nations matches between England and France at Twickenham and Scotland and Ireland at Murrayfield need nothing to spice them up but the fact that both games will be repeated as key pool fixtures at the Rugby World Cup does add a layer of intrigue.

England go into the game on Sunday riding a wave of confidence after their superb 32-20 victory in Dublin last weekend.

France, who blew a 16-0 half-time lead to lose 24-19 to Wales in Paris, were already outsiders but England’s awesome performance makes the odds even shorter for the hosts.

Ireland and Scotland also face off in Japan, in their opening pool game where the potential reward for the winners is likely to be avoiding New Zealand in the quarter-finals.

If the Scots can continue their recent strong home form against their Celtic rivals tomorrow, it would give them a huge lift for September.

Scotland have won two of their last three home Six Nations fixtures against Ireland, and a World Cup warm-up in 2011, and coach Gregor Townsend will hope his high-tempo attacking approach will again pay dividends tomorrow.

On the same day, Wales will fully expect to take their winning streak to a record-equalling 11 against Italy in Rome.

| Reuters