France team: 15 Maxime Médard, 14 Hugo Bonneval, 13 Gaël Fickou, 12 Jonathan Danty, 11 Virimi Vakatawa, 10 Jules Plisson, 9 Sébastien Bezy, 8 Louis Picamoles, 7 Damien Chouly, 6 Wenceslas Lauret, 5 Yoann Maestri, 4 Paul Jedrasiak, 3 Rabah Slimani, 2 Guilhem Guirado (c), 1 Eddy Ben Arous

Replacements: 16 Camille Chat, 17 Uini Atonio, 18 Jefferson Poirot, 19 Alexandre Flanquart, 20 Yacouba Camara, 21 Maxime Machenaud, 22 Jean-Marc Doussain, 23 Maxime Mermoz

Scotland: Stuart Hogg, Sean Maitland, Mark Bennett, Matt Scott, Tommy Seymour, Finn Russell, Greig Laidlaw (capt); Al Dickinson, Ross Ford, WP Nel, Richie Gray, Jonny Gray, John Barclay, John Hardie, David Denton.

Replacements: Stuart McInally, Gordon Reid, Zander Fagerson, Tim Swinson, Blair Cowan, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, Duncan Weir, Duncan Taylor.

Probably pretty much the best English team available in fairness. With Steffo still unavailable they don't have a natural 7 that's good enough tbh. Fraser a bit raw yet, and Clifford probably more of an 8.

They clearly see Mako as more of an impact sub, which I think suits him better at international.

I don't expect to see too much flair and creativity from that backline, but I can see why Jones has gone with it. The Summer Tour is probably a better avenue to bed in Slade (when he returns) and Daly

Looks like a team that should be able to grind out a win on Saturday but it won't be easy.

That's the best Scottish backline in many a year. Duncan Taylor not even in the team. If they can get quick ball from the pack, they'll be dangerous. England will probably choke them enough up front to grind it out though.

Always a mug's game analysing any French 15 as you could get just about anything, but regardless they'll beat Italy handy anyway

That's a valid point, yes, but I do think it'd stand better if Ireland were playing pretty much their usual starting 15. Due to injuries and retirements they've too many raw and substandard players being drafted in that even if Sexton and Heaslip tear up the form book they still don't have enough quality around them

I think Wales will decimate that Irish pack Sunday. You'd want your head examined backing Ireland at -4 in that one imo!!

Mike Brown made vice captain, by the way. Was interested in this as surely Hartley won't last long beyond 60

Delighted for him, huge fan of Brown

I do wonder why Lawes is on the bench, if he's fit, he should start, if he's not, he shouldn't be on the bench.

Just to be complete...

Ireland: S Zebo; A Trimble, J Payne, R Henshaw, K Earls; J Sexton, C Murray; J McGrath, R Best (capt), N White; D Toner, M McCarthy; CJ Stander, T O'Donnell, J Heaslip.

Replacements: S Cronin, J Cronin, T Furlong, D Ryan, Ruddock, Marmion, I Madigan, D Kearney.

Italy:1 5 David Odiete, 14 Leonardo Sarto, 13 Michele Campagnaro, 12 Gonzalo Garcia, 11 Mattia Bellini, 10 Carlo Canna, 9 Edoardo Gori, 8 Sergio Parisse (c), 7 Alessandro Zanni, 6 Francesco Minto, 5 Marco Fuser, 4 George Fabio Biagi, 3 Lorenzo Cittadini, 2 Ornel Gega, 1 Andrea Lovotti

Replacements: 16 Davide Giazzon, 17 Matteo Zanusso, 18 Martin Castrogiovanni, 19 Valerio Bernabo, 20 Andries van Schalkwyk, 21 Guglielmo Palazzani, 22 Kelly Haimona, 23 Luke McLean

Not sure of kick'off times, but step,forward?
http://mobile.rugbyeurope.eu/article-826.htm

Was in the link.
10am UK
Georgia v Germany
Midday
Russia v Spain
3.15
Romania v Portugal

At present in 2016 Autumn Internationals Scotland host Georgia
Should England Saxons visit, or host one of these Nations (Welford Road, Kingsholm?)

Nearly all the pundits are picking Wales to win the championship, yet Wales hate being favourites - will be interesting to see how they handle the pressure.

Georgia 59 - 7 Germany

Georgia different class to Germany.
But, how do they bridge the cap to Six Nations?

Or too much self interest within 6 Nations to expand this game in Europe?

There's very little between Italy and Georgia imo but where do you fit them in? The 6 nations wont expand to 7, I doubt they fancy a 5-6 hour flight to Tbilisi anyway.

You could have a promotion/relegation match to keep it at 6 but they won't want to run the risk of Scotland getting relegated and losing the Calcutta cup/Triple Crown etc.

It's a difficult one.

Russia 22-20 Spain

With the Calcutta Cup, if Scotland after either a two year or four year cycle came last. Could it be like the Bledisoe Cup? A one off game?
Think I saw before the Summer tests Engand are playing Wales thud year. Okay might have to sacrifice the end of season Barbarians.

Which had led my mind here.
Maybe someone knows more, but believe I read that after the NZ tour, the Lions begin a new contract.
My opinion is
South Africa Tour - Play a France team and or a Rest of Europe,(with or without France) Italy, Georgia, Rimania, Italy, Spain two matches. France as a test match, the combined midweek.
Australia same as SA Tour or France and then Japan

New Zealand, play Argentina and an American combined with US, Canada and Uruguay.

Based on final positions, since 2013, to match with European Nations two year tables for promotion, relegation.
Allowing first place team 6pts, second 5 etc..
If after each World Cup, a Six Nations team wax relegated,
After three years, 2013-15.
England 15
Ireland. 14
Wales 14
Scotland 7
France. 7
Italy. 6

So at present three nations would be looking at four years in the second tier.

HT France 10-8 Italy

To be honest based on last three years is this any surprise?

I was expecting a big improvement by France following Guy Noves being given the coaching job. Italy look full of fire,passion and discipline so far though.It'd be a great shake up for the old tournament if they won or got near to winning the title at last.

Looks like France are trying play like the old French team but this could work out as a disadvantage for them

ouch that was a nasty knock on the head there

France squeezed past them at the end. Why Parisse standing in the pocket for the DG attempt though? He's a hell of an all round player but why not set for their ten to have a shot.

coaching seems to be dominated by aussies and kiwis these days

A bit of a scrappy half there, but I guess both sides are a bit nervous.
Lost count of the number of times the ref has said 'use it'.

Just me watching then.
Will Farrell ever lose that pathetic petulant streak?

I watched it !

yeah.........England won.......

I'm not much of an expert but it looked like a throwback to the 1990s for England.......the old style trundle up the park a yard at a time shoving the opposition out of the way........

I was half watching whilst setting up a new laptop.

Decent win for England.

Sturgeon looks peeved.