KEY POINTS:
ITALY v IRELAND, Rome 2.20AM tomorrow
Ireland will be aiming to end their 22-year wait for a Six Nations title with a convincing win at Stadio Flamino.
Ireland's mission is simple: rack up the biggest possible winning margin over the Azzurri then wait anxiously for the
results of the later matches.
Ireland last lost to Italy in 1997, but with the hosts seeking a third win the championship to add to victories over Scotland and Wales, Eddie O'Sullivan's team need to shake off their present uneven form to be sure of a win, let alone a big one.
The Irish side who beat South Africa and Australia on successive weekends in November have failed to achieve the same levels of consistency in the Six Nations, following up their impressive 43-13 demolition of England with a desperate 19-18 victory over Scotland in the last round of matches.
"It would be hard to argue that except for the England match we hit the levels we set in the autumn," admitted their coach Eddie O'Sullivan.
"We have to factor into that there were only really two games in two weeks during the autumn. The Six Nations is five matches in seven weeks.
"Of course the ambition is to play five perfect games and win the grand slam but it rarely works like that.
"You have to be realistic and know that some days you'll have setbacks when things don't go right. But you have to move on as it's the process of building. We're not too far from where we want to be."
O'Sullivan has backed up words with acts, reaffirming his faith in the team who scraped past Scotland.
His one change to the starting XV was enforced by injury, with Mick O'Driscoll replacing injured lock Paul O'Connell.
FRANCE v SCOTLAND, Paris, 3.25AM tomorrow
There will be three Six Nations trophies on standby in Paris, Rome and Cardiff tomorrow and France will give everything to keep the cup after a win at the Stade de France.
To reach that goal, the French will first have to demonstrate they have recovered from the disappointment of their 26-18 defeat by England at Twickenham which shattered their dreams of a grand slam.
"The players were angry with themselves and disappointed ... Now, the time of moaning is gone, I think morale is high again," said coach Bernard Laporte.
Going into the last round, France, Ireland and England have identical records of three wins and one defeat.
France lead on points difference with +42. Ireland, who play Italy in Rome, have +38 and England, away against Wales, +13.
With just one win over Wales, the Scots are out of contention for the title but coach Frank Hadden said: "We've picked a team to win. We will go over to Paris believing we can win the game."
Hadden has made seven changes to the team who lost 18-19 to Ireland at Murrayfield, drafting in centre Andrew Henderson, wing Nikki Walker, halfback Rory Lawson, hooker Ross Ford and number eight Johnnie Beattie.
France has dropped halfback Dimitri Yachvili and No 8 Sebastien Chabal and relegated left wing Christophe Dominici to the bench.
No 8 Imanol Harinordoquy replaces Chabal, Cedric Heymans takes over from Dominici and back comes scrumhalf Pierre Mignoni who started the first three games.
Lionel Beauxis comes in at first five-eighth for David Skrela, who sustained an ankle injury against England.
- Reuters
WALES v ENGLAND, Cardiff, tomorrow 5.25AM
The Welsh public has always had a special place for the "outside-half" of the national team. The mercurial likes of Barry John, Phil Bennet, Cliff Morgan, David Watkins and Jonathan Davies have all worn the shirt.
It is now the time of young tyro James Hook to take up the mantle and prove his worth as the latest hot property from Wales' "outside-half factory" immortalised by singer and comedian Max Boyce.
Hook's worth has already been noted by the All Black management team, assistant coach Steve Hansen saying the 21-year-old would be competing with Daniel Carter, voted the world's best player, if he were playing in black - no mean compliment.
Hook gets his chance against England with his side having lost four out of four matches in the Six Nations and hot favourites to collect the wooden spoon, just two years after winning the Grand Slam.
Skipper Stephen Jones' withdrawal with a wrist injury gives Hook a golden chance to prove he is the top first five-eighths in Welsh rugby before the Rugby World Cup in France this year.
Hook said: "I thought I'd gradually move into the outside-half position but, hopefully, the performance on Saturday will determine that."
England rebounded from a record 43-13 loss to Ireland by beating the French to get back into title contention.
With stars such as Jonny Wilkinson, Andy Farrell and captain Phil Vickery sidelined through injury, England were forced to field backup players.
Winger Dave Strettle and first-five eighths Toby Flood and Shane Geraghty have made an immediate impact and Brian Ashton's team goes to Cardiff confident of victory.
- Agencies
