INTERNATIONAL TEST RUGBY THIS WEEKEND

26.02.2010
France v Wales in Cardiff (6 Nations)

27.02.2010
Ireland v England at Twickenham (6 Nations)
Scotland v Italy in Rome (6 Nations)
Romania v Russia in Sochi (WCQ Europe R5; ENC 1)
Portugal v Germany in Heusenstamm (WCQ Europe R5; ENC 1)
Spain v Georgia in Tblissi (WCQ Europe R5; ENC 1)
Finland v Greece in Patras (ENC 3C)

Briefly
After a two week rest all the major European rugby teams are back out on the paddock. The World Cup qualifying process has reached a crucial stage for ENC 1 teams, whilst the 6 Nations International Championship also resumes.

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	PT
FRANCE	2	2	0	0	51	19	+32	4
ENGLAND	2	2	0	0	44	29	+15	4
IRELAND	2	1	0	1	39	44	-5	2
WALES	2	1	0	1	48	51	-3	2
SCOTLAND	2	0	0	2	45	51	-16	0
ITALY	2	0	0	2	23	46	-23	0

The France-England clash in the last round on the 20th March is looming as the possible Championship decider. In the meantime a mouth-watering clash between Ireland and England this weekend is crucial to both teams. For Ireland a loss will virtually rule them out of contention. For England a win is vital to keep within striking distance of France.

France travels to Cardiff on Friday to face Wales. Wales bounced back two weeks ago to defeat Scotland in a game in which they produced an amazing recovery in the second half to come from behind and win. Wales will need to produce a better start to their game if they are to defeat France. The money will still be on France to win and to continue to set the pace in this competition.

Scotland and Italy will clash to virtually decide, yet again, which team will hold up the bottom of the points table and take the wooden spoon. Italy's grand performance against England two weeks ago look to be favoured to defeat Scotland on their home ground.

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	PT
GEORGIA	7	6	1	0	269	93	176	20
RUSSIA	7	5	0	1	214	107	107	19
PORTUGAL	7	3	1	3	144	114	30	14
ROMANIA	6	3	0	3	171	93	78	12
SPAIN	6	1	0	5	97	184	-87	8
GERMANY	7	0	0	7	30	313	-283	7

Romania's clash with Russia will feature in this weekend's ENC 1 clashes. Romania must win to keep its chances of gaining an automatic place in the 2011 World Cup Finals. It's crunch time for Germany. They must win against Portugal at home to keep alive its chances of staying in the ENC 1 competition for 2010-12. Portugal must hold it's third place position in order to qualify for the World Cup repecharges. A win will bring it closer to Romania who they will play on the 20th March in what could be that decider. Spain has a tough job ahead of it when it faces competition leader Georgia at home. A Georgian win looks the most likely outcome.

Finland travels to Greece to face the home side in an ENC 3C encounter.

My coverage of these games this weekend will be limited due to other commitments.