RBS 6 Nations 2016: 5 Bold Predictions for Matchday 3

RBS Six Nations 2016 Matchday 3 sees Wales take on France, Italy host Scotland and England face Ireland. France are resurgent, but how will their pack match up to the Welsh in this physical encounter?

What kind of a game should we expect in Rome? England, meanwhile, are trying to update their playing style. Will it be in evidence in a tight match against Ireland?

Here are Bleacher Report’s five bold predictions for RBS Six Nations Matchday 3, including a score forecast for each game of the round.

Wales have the enviable option of selecting two genuine opensides, captain Sam Warburton and Justin Tipuric, in the back row. Their athleticism over the ball and remarkable fitness means Wales will destroy France at the breakdown. Taulupe Faletau, the No. 8, is also a handy rucker, and the French will have no answer.

France’s back row is likely to be comprised of Wenceslas Lauret, Yacouba Camara and Damien Chouly. Camara, 21, is a fine prospect, but he and Lauret do not have the international nous to match Warburton and Tipuric.

Chouly, who can operate on the flank, could be expected to help at the breakdown, but his relative lack of fitness prevents him making a big impact at the breakdown over the course of 80 minutes.

France will exact revenge on the Welsh forwards in the scrum, where Guy Noves is likely to start with the front row that took Ireland apart in the second half at the Stade de France (as noted in the video above).

That would see Rabah Slimani and Eddy Ben Arous back in the starting lineup, and it is hard to see inexperienced loosehead Rob Evans being able to cope.

Wales will need tighthead Samson Lee to be at his best to prevent a one-sided scrum contest.

Eddie Jones’ battle cry for a "brutal" England performance against Italy was realised in an excellent second-half display, but will this signal a more attacking approach in general from his team?

After 120 minutes of tough away rugby, England turned on the style in Rome (see video above). At Twickenham for the first time this Six Nations, England are likely to try to play an expansive game.

Ireland will fancy their chances in an arm wrestle, especially if Jonathan Sexton finds form kicking out of hand, so expect England to go after points from the first whistle, as they did last time they faced Ireland in the 2015 Rugby World Cup warm-up fixture.

Italy vs. Scotland might not immediately evoke images of an open game of free-flowing rugby, but that is what we should expect in Rome.

Italy are gradually developing a more expansive game, based around the playmaking talents of Carlo Canna and Michele Campagnaro, and their new attacking threat almost brought them a deserved victory in Paris in Week 1 of the Six Nations.

Scotland, meanwhile, were uninspired in stodgy Murrayfield conditions against England but far more adventurous, and consequently effective, under the roof of Cardiff’s Principality Stadium (see video above). They will no doubt approach this away fixture with the same intent as they did their last.

Wales 25-20 France: Wales’ breakdown nous and home advantage will count for more than France’s scrum power. An intimidating Friday-night atmosphere will carry the Welsh to victory.

England 20-15 Ireland: Ireland’s injuries will mean they come short of beating England but will take their hosts to the wire.

Italy 20-25 Scotland: Scotland play the open game better than the Azzurri, and they will rediscover something of their 2015 Rugby World Cup form in Rome.