ROBINSON EXCLUSIVE

be delighted that France’s opponents in this championship are making a habit of giving them pre-match ammunition.

Welsh accusations of French cheating at the scrum will not make life any easier for the home front five at the first engagement.

This is the weekend that will sort the wheat from the chaff.

The outcomes will dictate whether a Grand Slam is still on the cards for France and Ireland, with the two unbeaten sides going on the road for the first time, and whether England and Wales still have a championship to play for.

Throw in the one game Italy have a chance of realistic winning this season – against struggling Scotland in Rome – and it is a pivotal round.

England’s decision to play Jonathan Joseph on the wing has caused some ripples but, personally, I’m not that shocked

THE MOMENT of truth arrives for France in the Six Nations with a trip to Cardiff today.

But on evidence to date, there is every chance that they can land a blow to put them within sight of a first title since 2010.

Recent results suggest there is little between the sides with just a point separating them in two of their last three meetings.

But France’s attacking flair can nudge it their way.Take them to lead at half-time and full-time at 7-2 and also to win by 1-12 points at 11-4 (both Betway).

Italy have shown improvement under South African coach by it. This game is massive for England after three iffy performances in a row and Eddie Jones has gone for experience.

He is putting what he thinks are his best players on the field regardless of the shirt number on their back.

It is not as if Joseph is some lumpy midfielder being shifted out to the wing.

He is a proper athlete with pace and footwork who has scored some fine tries wide out for

Franco Smith despite not getting their heads in front so far. But the visit of tryless Scotland to Rome gives them a great chance to post their first Six Nations win in four years, with the Azzurri

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England. Ireland’s half-backs are going to pepper Joseph with some high balls but, if the back three can ride out the inevitable storm, England have a strong enough line-up to win by five points.

I fancy Wales to make home advantage pay against the French – by seven – and the Scots to squeeze out Italy by three in what could be the most entertaining game of an enthralling weekend. worth supporting at 14-5 (Betway) to spring a surprise.

Burnley are great value to beat Bournemouth at home, with their rivals winning just once on the road since September.