ROUND FOUR.
Ireland v Scotland.... Aviva Stadium (Dublin).... Saturday, March 10.... 2.15pm GMT.... ITV
France v England.... Stade de France (Paris).... Saturday, March 10.... 4.45pm GMT.... BBC
Wales v Italy.... Principality Stadium (Cardiff).... Sunday, March 11.... 3pm GMT.... BBC
CURRENT STANDINGS
| Team | P | W | D | L | -/+ | BP | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ireland | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 49 | 2 | 14 |
| 2 | England | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 25 | 1 | 9 |
| 3 | Scotland | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | -9 | 0 | 8 |
| 4 | Wales | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 11 | 2 | 6 |
| 5 | France | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 2 | 6 |
| 6 | Italy | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -85 | 0 | 0 |
Ireland
Garry Ringrose is expected to ease Ireland's injury nightmare by starting Saturday's clash with Scotland, having hit full fitness following a January ankle injury.
The Leinster centre could partner Bundee Aki to offset long-term injuries to Robbie Henshaw and Chris Farrell, as Ireland are after a fourth-straight NatWest Six Nations victory at the Aviva Stadium.
Henshaw may not play again this season after dislocating a shoulder in Ireland's 56-19 win over Italy in the second round. Farrell suffered knee ligament damage in Ireland's open training session last week, having impressed in the 37-27 win over Wales the previous weekend.
Ireland expect British and Irish Lions duo Tadhg Furlong and Iain Henderson to be fit to start against the in form Scots.
Coach Joe Schmidt has called up uncapped former sevens quickie Barry Daly as cover for winger Andrew Conway, who is expected to return from a knee injury next week ahead of the last clash against England at Twickenham on March 17.
Scotland
Blair Kinghorn will make his first start for Scotland. The in-form Edinburgh wing's inclusion is the only alteration to the side which beat England last time out as he replaces the injured Tommy Seymour.
Kinghorn - who has scored eight tries for his club side this term - made his debut off the bench in that triumphant Calcutta Cup win two weeks ago.
Now he will hope to play a part in a victory over Joe Schmidt's side that will see the Dark Blues claw themselves back into Six Nations Championship contention.
Glasgow wing Lee Jones comes onto the bench following the withdrawal of Scotstoun colleague Seymour with a back injury, while the Warriors' Fraser Brown - who featured in all but two Scotland Tests last year - returns from injury to take Scott Lawson's place as replacement hooker.
There is no place for Richie Gray, despite the giant Toulouse lock rejoining the squad after shaking off a troublesome calf injury as Grant Gilchrist gets the nod to start alongside his brother Jonny Gray.
Flanker John Hardie also misses out despite being given a recall to Townsend's squad this week for the first time since being suspended by his club side Edinburgh following allegations of cocaine use.
WHO WILL WIN ?
Ireland have racked up three straight wins in this year's tournament, and are now closing in on a third title in five years. Scotland, meanwhile, head to Dublin looking to back up an impressive victory over England that revitalised their Six Nations hopes.
However, it is a big ask for the Scots to take something from this game, with the Dark Blues without a win away from home in the tournament, outside of Italy, since beating Ireland in 2010, while they have only ever won six matches away from home in the entire Six Nations.
