The penultimate round of fixtures from the 2023 Six Nations is on the way this weekend with three intriguing fixtures to come from Rome, London and Edinburgh.

Italy and Wales face off in what looks to be a wooden spoon decider in the Eternal City, before rivals England and France clash in 'Le Crunch'.

The weekend is completed with a battle at the top of the table as an Irish side on course for the Grand Slam, head to Murrayfield to face a Scotland team eying a first Triple Crown since 1990.

Italy out to add to Welsh woes

What	Italy v Wales
Where	Stadio Olimpico, Rome
When	14:15, Saturday 11th March
How to watch	ITV1
Odds	Italy 11/10, Tie 20/1, Wales 5/6

While Wales edge it slightly in the results market, for many, Italy are the favourites going into Saturday's clash with the Welsh in Rome.

The Welsh Rugby Union were hoping the return of head coach Warren Gatland would see a change in fortunes of the national side but the New Zealander has returned to a squad short of confidence and in the midst of a crisis in the domestic game.

Defeats to Ireland, Scotland and England have left Wales with just one point to show for their efforts as they next make the trip to Rome to face an Italian side who will be desperate to avoid the wooden spoon this season.

Italy helped bring about the downfall of Gatland’s predecessor in Wayne Pivac, as the Azzurri stunned the Welsh with victory in Cardiff in the last Six Nations, before beating Australia in the autumn.

The hosts have had a blow leading into the game with star full-back Ange Capuozzo ruled out for the remainder of the competition with a shoulder injury.

However, this is an Italy side with capable players throughout the side and look like good value at 11/10 to make it back-to-back wins over Wales for the first time in their history. 

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Title hopes on the line in Le Crunch

What	England v France
Where	Twickenham, London
When	16:45, Saturday 11th March
How to watch	ITV1
Odds	England 5/4, Tie 22/1, France 8/11

Both England and France find themselves in the chasing pack in the title race and for one team the title dream will come to an end on Saturday.

After an opening-round defeat on home soil to Scotland, England have been making steady progress under new head coach Steve Borthwick to beat Italy and Wales.

England's biggest challenges come in the final two rounds against France at home, before a trip to Dublin on the final weekend.

These next two matches will be good acid tests to see how England are shaping up ahead of the World Cup in France later this year.

Les Bleus are the number two ranked side in the world but they have failed to hit top gear in this Six Nations so far.

Scraping past Italy in their opening game before defeat in a thriller to Ireland, France were also made to work to beat Scotland in Paris last time out.

Next is a trip to Twickenham where France don't have a great record having lost in all of their last nine visits.

A 21-15 win in a World Cup warm-up games in 2007 was France's last win in London, while their last Six Nations victory at Rugby HQ was back in 2005.

England can't allow France to get off to a strong start or this is a game that could get away from the hosts if the doubts of defeats in the last 12 months start to creep in.

A positive start from the hosts, who will look to be accurate from set-piece and smart in territory, should make this an even contest.

Considering their form on home soil against France, England are well priced at 5/4 to claim the win and keep their slender hopes of a Six Nations title alive. 

Ireland won't take Murrayfield test lightly

What	Scotland v Ireland
Where	Murrayfield, Edinburgh
When	15:00, Sunday 12th March
How to watch	BBC1
Odds	Scotland 12/5, Tie 25/1, Ireland 5/14

Ireland have lived up to their billing as the top-ranked side in the world with three bonus-point wins over Wales, France and Italy.

Being able to rest some big names for the trip to Rome, Ireland should be looking fresh as they travel to a happy hunting ground in Edinburgh.

Ireland have won on three of their last four visits to Murrayfield and are the deserved 5/14 favourites to maintain their hopes of a coveted Grand Slam in a World Cup year.

However, head coach Andy Farrell and his side will certainly not take the trip to the Scottish capital lightly, as they face a team that has shown progress under Gregor Townsend this season.

The Scots will be wondering what might have been following their defeat in Paris and will be eager to continue their attacking rugby that has seen them score 85 points in their first three games against England, Wales and France.

Much like the game at Twickenham, Scotland will need to try and keep Ireland quiet in the opening 20 minutes but that is much easier said than done.

If the Scots can keep themselves in the game, it should make for an exciting encounter, with Scotland tending to score their points in the second halves of games.

Ireland might well prove too powerful for the Scots this weekend but the hosts to fall on the right side of a +7 handicap is worthy of consideration at 1/1.