Six Nations finale: What to look out for on Super Saturday

Cian Cheesbrough
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Marcus Smith kept England's Six Nations hopes alive last weekend
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England's shock victory over Ireland last week means it is all to play for in the final weekend of Six Nations action.

Elsewhere, Wales are battling to avoid the Wooden Spoon and Italy are aiming for their best ever finish at the Championship.

With all six teams in action on what is being dubbed Super Saturday, we run through everything to look out for.

Battle for the Championship

England's thrilling 23-22 victory at Twickenham — courtesy of Marcus Smith's last-gasp drop goal — ended hopes of a Grand Slam winner at this year's tournament.

And it means the Red Rose, up against France in Lyon at 8pm, can still claim an unlikely triumph — though it remains in Ireland's hands.

With a four-point lead at the top, the situation remains simple for Andy Farrell's men — beat Scotland at the Aviva Stadium earlier in the day and a second consecutive Championship is theirs.

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Even a draw would be enough to see the Shamrocks retain the title, as would two losing bonus points.

Meanwhile, a single losing bonus point would leave Steve Borthwick's men needing a bonus-point victory and to overturn a whopping 83-point deficit from the Irish.

If Ireland lose to Scotland without gaining a bonus point, England can pip them to the title with a bonus-point victory over the French.

France, champions in 2022, are mostly playing for pride on the final weekend, though beating England into second may prove enough incentive for Fabien Galthie and Co.

The Six Nations title remains within Ireland's grasp

Wooden Spoon scrap

Wales have endured a torrid campaign and their efforts on the final weekend will be focused on avoiding only their second ever Wooden Spoon in the Six Nations era.

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The infamous title — handed to the team who finishes bottom — has gone to Saturday's opponents Italy for the last nine years but the Azzurri can achieve their highest finish since 2013 after beating Scotland last weekend.

Italy, led by Gonzalo Quesada in an encouraging first Six Nations campaign for the coach, can climb as high as third but last place also remains a possibility.

Warren Gatland's men need to beat the Italians in Cardiff to avoid a winless campaign, though only a bonus-point victory would stop them ending the series at the foot of the table.

Triple Crown on the line

Duhan van der Merwe is gunning to finish as top try scorer

While the title would only head to Scotland through an improbable set of circumstances, they can still make history on the final weekend.

Gregor Townsend's side can claim their first Triple Crown triumph since 1990 if they beat Ireland after seeing off Home Nations rivals Wales and England earlier in the tournament.

That is no easy task against the world No1s, of course, having surprisingly lost to Italy last time out in a disappointing response to their impressive win over England.

There are also personal scores to settle in Dublin, with Scotland star Duhan van der Merwe looking to fight off his Irish challengers to finish as top try scorer.

The powerful winger has touched down for five tries, which includes a hat-trick against England, but Irish duo James Lowe and Dan Sheehan are hot on his heels with four each.

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