Ireland look to make back-to-back Grand Slam dreams come true

The most hotly anticipated fixture of the third round of the Guinness Six Nations kicks off on Saturday when Scotland entertain England in the battle for the Calcutta Cup at Murrayfield.

But before the teatime battle in Edinburgh, table-toppers Ireland will entertain fifth-placed Wales in Dublin.

The men in green are chasing back-to-back Grand Slams – a feat never previously achieved in the Six Nations – and have taken pole position following emphatic bonus-point victories over France and Italy.

Andy Farrell’s team will also equal a record, currently held by England and set seven years ago, of 11 successive Six Nations wins if they topple Wales.

Wales have not won a Guinness Six Nations game against Ireland in Dublin since 2012, drawing one and losing four of the subsequent fixtures.

But Rob Howley says his Welsh side will aim to create rugby chaos when they face what most people believe is mission improbable on Saturday.

Ireland back-rower Caelan Doris is expected to be fully fit after suffering “bumps and bruises” while captaining his country to a 36-0 win over Italy in round two. Full-back Hugo Keenan will be assessed after hobbling off with a knee injury against the Azzurri on February 11.

Wales make one change for the game, recalling fly-half Sam Costelow, who missed their narrow 16-14 defeat to England last time out.

Louis Lynagh has been handed a first call-up for basement side Italy’s clash with France on Sunday.

While Les Bleus sit a modest fourth in the table, they have not lost to the Azzurri in 14 games, and know a win could see them leap-frog the Welsh.

Lynagh quit Harlequins to join Italian club Benetton with the aim of representing the Azzurri.

He is part of a 33-man group named for the clash in Lille.