it's a very big sporting weekend!

Scotland v Ireland (Sat)

Saturday, 10 March (8:30am kick off over here...)
Murrayfield, Edinburgh

Ireland will claim their third Triple Crown in four years if they can defeat Scotland in Edinburgh on Saturday.

The Irish go into the game on the back of their thumping win over England and unsurprisingly coach Eddie O'Sullivan has stuck with the same team.

Scotland have only won one game so far this year and were stunned by Italy at home last time out.

then we have:

Italy v Wales (Sat)

Saturday, 10 March (10:30am kick off over here...)
Stadio Flaminio, Rome

Wales will seek to ease the pressure on coach Gareth Jenkins with a win over a buoyant Italy side in Rome on Saturday.

The Azzurri are looking for an unprecedented second win in a Six Nations campaign, while Wales arrive with three defeats to their name.

then on sunday, we have the big one:

England v France (Sun)

Sunday, 11 March (kick off 11:00am over here)
Twickenham, London

England will aim to bounce back from their humbling at the hands of Ireland when they take on Grand Slam-chasing France at Twickenham on Sunday.

The hosts have not beaten France since the 2003 World Cup semi-final and coach Brian Ashton has made sweeping changes.

Mike Catt, 35, is recalled as captain in place of the injured Phil Vickery, while Jonny Wilkinson is also out.

France are two wins away from a fourth Six Nations title and third Grand Slam in the last six seasons.

so basically, it looks like we're screwed... and france will win the title.

and if that's not bad enough, i can't check the bbc sports site, because of the opening motogp race going on tomorrow. speed channel isn't going to show the race until 6pm on sunday, so i can't look at any internet sites or tv sites that might flash up the result, so that's why i'm having to do all my sports blogging here and now.

go rossi!

go england!