With the fourth round of the 2023 Six Nations this weekend, we take a look at the key battle in each match. Wales and Italy clash in a tension-fuelled match to avoid the ‘wooden spoon’, with calms head’s surely prevailing in Rome.
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Marcus Smith returns to lead the line for England, and takes on Romain Ntamack who also has a point to prove. Hugo Keenan and Stuart Hogg take our attention, as they key battle for Scotland vs Ireland. So, here is how each side line up, in these three key battles in a ‘make-or-break’ Six Nations weekend.
Italy v Wales – Key Battle: Back Row
Sebastian Negri, Michele Lamaro & Lorenzo Cannone vs Jac Morgan, Justin Tipuric & Taulupe Faletau
This decider to avoid the wooden spoon will see a key battle amongst the loose forwards, as both sides have hard-hitting trios at the back of the scrum. This match will be won and lost in the contact and breakdown area, with mistakes and penalties likely given how both sides will be desperate to avoid a winless Six Nations.
Italy have surpassed expectations already this competition, with the three workhorses able to match the powerful attacks or France and Ireland. Despite faltering slightly against England, Italy are no pushovers in the contact zone. Italian captain Michele Lamaro and flanker partner Sebastian Negri both shone against France, working tirelessly with an ever-rising tackle count between them, and both made it into RUCK’s Team of the Week for Round 1. Lorenzo Cannone brings the added dynamic of a powerful ball carrying presence, with the 22-year-old’s youthful exuberance set to bring the fight to the Wales veterans.
Wales have an interesting mix of youth and veteran experience in their back row. 23-year-old Jac Morgan continues to impress for his country, and lines up alongside Justin Tipuric and Taulupe Faletau, who have 189 total combined caps for Wales. Tipuric and Faletau know what it takes to grind out a hard-fought result. Hoping to move on from the haunting loss to Italy last year, keeping a calm head will be key. Tensions will surely fly in Rome in this bottom of the table clash, yet the side who secures the breakdown and avoids needless penalties, will keep the scoreboard ticking over for the win.