Italy v Scotland (Sat, 1pm)
England v Ireland (Sat, 3pm)
Wales v France (Sat, 5pm)

The Six Nations Rugby Championship for 2008 comes to a close this weekend with all to play for in each of the three matches. In Rome, both Scotland and Italy will be fighting it out for pride and to avoid the Wooden Spoon, in London, the Millennium Trophy will be awarded to the winners, and in Cardiff, both teams can win the title; Wales though, with the chance of a Grand Slam.

Here’s the rundown on all of the three matches, which are all scheduled for this Saturday – one after the other – in a terrific afternoon of sport, all of which will be screened live on the BBC.

Italy v Scotland

Scotland face a tough match in Rome this weekend, with the danger of complacency looming over them, after their superb win against England last Saturday. Scotland will play an Italian side battling hard to gain some pride back from a poor championship, and Italy will want to avoid winning the Wooden Spoon, which they can only achieve if they beat Scotland by five points.

In previous outings, it is Italy that have proved the better team, beating Scotland twice in their last four Six Nations meetings in Rome. Scotland will also remember losing to them last year at Murrayfield, when Italy had the match tied up after only 10 minutes.

Italy are traditionally a banana skin for any team, as England found out earlier this year when they visited Rome, as Italy are an aggressive outfit, especially when at home.

When Frank Hadden’s side faced England last week, it was on the back of three bruising defeats by France, Wales, and Ireland. But the Scots will have to be more clinical against the Italians, and avoid basic errors in defence, if they are to take anything away from this game.

However, I fear Italy will be too strong on the day, and will take the win by more than five points, leaving Scotland with the Wooden Spoon, which on reflection of their tournament so far, and the England game aside, is no more than they deserve.

Colin’s Tip: Italy to win

England v Ireland

Ireland name Ronan O’Gara as their new captain last week, who was since quoted as saying he “will accept personal responsibility” if the team put out another poor display when they travel to Twickenham to play England. O’Gara wants to make history by leading Ireland, to what could be their third successive victory in London.

Although this match will only decide who finishes third overall, both team coaches, Eddie O’Sullivan and Brian Ashton, have found themselves under immense pressure off the back of their recent results. Job security is at stake for more than the players.

So far this year, Ireland have fallen to eighth in the world rankings – their lowest ever position – and a bad loss at Twickenham would complete their worst Six Nations championship since 1999.

England face the Irish at quite possibly a good time, in that they are still reeling from their defeat by Scotland last week. Ireland will have to watch for England throwing everything at them in this game, to ensure they don’t finish the championship with a home loss.

Ireland might consider themselves to be favourites going into the game, having already beaten England in all four meetings since Martin Johnson’s side were crowned world champions in 2003.

But England will be ready for them, led by Phil Vickery, who has impressed on the players the need for nothing else but a powerful, controlled performance.

Colin’s Tip: Ireland to Win

Wales v France

The big one. Should Wales win by 20 points they will take the Six Nations championship through a Grand Slam victory, and after the tournament they have had, only France look capable of coming close to beating them.

Confidence is high in the Welsh ranks, and coach Warren Gatland has admitted the squad has seen an amazing turnaround since the World Cup last year. Holding his players back may be his biggest problem.

France travel to Cardiff confident, but with a niggling doubt in their mind after suffering a humiliating defeat at home to England only a couple of short weeks ago. It proved they are unbeatable and their dent in confidence could be just what Wales were hoping for.

But with the Welsh choir of 50,000+ behind them, and a team sailing on the sea of belief, I doubt that even the French will be able to stop this red juggernaut from slowing down.

It’s Wales for the title, and the Grand Slam.

Colin’s Tip: Wales to Win