The 2016 6 Nations Championship – Will it Finish with a Bang or Fizzle Out?

On Saturday, the final 2016 6 Nations matches will take place, wrapping up the tournament for another year.

England have already ensured they’ll be taking most of the silverware home with them, however, winning the Championship Trophy, the Triple Crown, the Calcutta Cup and the Millennium Trophy, whilst France were the victors of their Giuseppe Garibaldi Trophy tie with Italy. The Italians won’t be going home empty-handed either, although they probably wish they were – they’ve secured their place as winners of this year’s wooden spoon.

So what else is left for the teams to battle for and will it be enough to keep us entertained?

Wales V Italy – A Great Start to the Final Day of Action

Wales will take on Italy at 14.30, in Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, in a battle that’s all about restoring national pride.

Having failed to score a single point so far, the Azzurri will be desperate to end the tournament on a high. Wales, on the other hand, will want to make up for their Round 4 loss against the English, whilst ensuring they keep Scotland and France, both just a point below them in the table, at bay.

Unbeaten in this year’s tournament prior to their match with England, the Welsh are certainly favourites for the win. That doesn’t mean the result is guaranteed, however, and it’s still possible that the Italians could pull off the surprise result of the competition.

Ireland V Scotland – The Fight for the Centenary Quaich

There’s silverware at stake in the second match of the day, so it’s bound to be one worth watching. Ireland will be meeting Scotland at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin, at 17.00 to decide who takes home this year’s Centenary Quaich.

Last year, Ireland won the award and, although their head coach, Joe Schmidt, told the media that 2016’s tournament had been “depressing”, he’ll be hoping that his squad will be able to put in a trophy-clinching final performance on the back of their winning match against Italy last weekend.

The Scots will be arriving at the fixture fresh from victory too, however, after a 29-18 win against France, their first triumph over their continental rivals since 2006. Vern Cotter’s squad members have been growing in confidence as the tournament has progressed, and Scotland is a point and two places ahead of Ireland in the results table, so this match could well turn into a war of attrition.

France V England – Will the Three Lions Achieve the Grand Slam?

The Six Nations tournament trophy may already be England’s, but there’s still the little matter of a Grand Slam on the cards, so Eddie Jones’s lads still have plenty to play for.

France will be just as motivated to ensure that the English don’t get everything their own way, however, and the home supporters at the Stade de France will be spurring their heroes on as they try to stop their opponents from adding yet another title to their 2016 haul.

The French will certainly have a lot to do if they want to seal the win, but anything’s possible when it comes to the Six Nations, so the final match of what’s been a thrilling championship is one no rugby fan should miss.

Which of the final Six Nations ties are you looking forward to most? Have you enjoyed this year’s tournament so far? Share your opinions in the comments section, or tell us what you think on Facebook or Twitter.