Chris Robshaw's Six Nations predictions: Joy for Italy, Ireland and England

Ex-England captain Chris Robshaw sits down with Planet Rugby’s James While to make his predictions for Round Five of this year’s Six Nations.

We have teamed up with eToro, the official investing and trading partner of Premiership Rugby, to cover the 2024 Six Nations, previewing and reviewing the entire tournament.

Bernard Jackman’s Expert Witness ahead of the fifth round, we have asked Robshaw to make his predictions for the upcoming games in the championship.

And just to make it a bit of fun, we’ll be making our own predictions for each match and will track our performance week-by-week to see whether we can outsmart our illustrious guests.

Without further ado, here are Robshaw’s predictions and previews.

Wales v Italy

This is such a tough match to predict. Two teams that like to play expansive rugby but aren’t the most powerful up front go head-to-head, with Italy the form side and Wales desperate to avoid the Wooden Spoon.

One factor that we must consider – Italy have a day in hand in terms of turnaround time and this does make a big difference in terms of recovery and also the chance to have squad downtime.

Wales lost the corresponding Six Nations fixture two years ago by a point courtesy of that amazing Ange Capuozzo run and if history repeats itself then I think heads could roll within the Welsh set-up as things are really close to crisis point in their camp.

Wales possibly have an advantage in the set-piece and defend the maul brilliantly – they pressured France in the lineout last weekend and their three-lock strategy served them well.

The collision will be crucial and whilst Wales have an advantage in stealing over the ball, I just feel Italy have more in terms of power runners in their back-row, so I rather fear for Wales and I reckon Italy, with a stellar backline, might just have more firepower to pull off another win 35-18 in a high-scoring match.

Head-to-head: It has to be at 13 where the great George North will finally hang up his Test boots after a memorable career. He’s a freak for a man of his size and I’ve been on the other end of his powerful running enough times to know just how effective he can be. I wish him well. He’s up against the best outside centre in this year’s competition and one of the players of the season, the superb and almost as big Juan Ignacio Brex, a complete player and one that’s the heartbeat of everything Italy do in their backline. I love Brex’s ability to keep moves flowing and whilst he’s not as dangerous one-on-one as North, his work in defence and jackal is outstanding for a big centre.

Player to watch: Paolo Garbisi is growing into the number 10 shirt in a manner that’s had many of us thinking he’s been the best fly-half in this Six Nations. He has improved greatly in terms of exit strategy and if he gets into the game and controls territory it’ll be a tough day at the office for Wales.

Ireland v Scotland

You’d say Ireland most times here but Scotland will be busting to get out of the traps and right their poor showing against Italy last weekend. However, Ireland weren’t bad by any means against England and they will be desperate to win back-to-back titles, so expect both teams to start as hot as you like.

Scotland are a side that love chaos, so Ireland’s precision will be tested – something they lead the world in. They will run their pods with four out off the carrier and options either side but the Scots love disrupting and their back-row is simply made for pressure and stealing, so again, that gainline area will be crucial, especially as I believe Ireland do have a significant advantage in the set-piece.

As much as I want the Scots to do England a favour and as much as I respect their efficiency in red zone finishing, I don’t believe they’ll get enough possession to overcome the odds here, so it’s an Irish win, 32-20, for me.

Head-to-head: This match will be about control and it’s the master v apprentice at 10 with Finn Russell against Jack Crowley. For Crowley it’s a real chance to measure himself against the best in the business and he is, like Garbisi, growing into the 10 shirt with real attitude and ability.

Player to watch: I let out a bit of an inward groan when flanker Andy Christie slipped through England’s fingers and opted to play for Scotland on grandparental qualification. He’s a real dynamo, great pace and very disruptive. He could just be a point of difference for the Scots and if he gets into the game it could have a major impact on the result.

France v England

You always relish Le Crunch and this year’s encounter is as hard to call as ever. France demolished England last year but since that apex moment for them they’ve gone downhill with issues around the centre of defence and also lacking the guiding mind of the brilliant attack coach Laurent Labit, who is now with Stade Francais as director of rugby.

Factor in missing two absolutely world class 10s and of course, the great Antoine Dupont and you can see why they’ve futtered and stuttered a bit this season, although their last quarter against Wales was a step up from anything we’ve seen before from them.

England come into this match brimmed with confidence, playing with amazing vim and vigour. The backline has really come together with George Furbank adding a lot of threat at the back and with Alex Mitchell thriving on the quicker ball England have created.

But against the likes of Francois Cros, France’s standout this season, and Gregory Alldritt at ruck time, I can’t see them having quite the speed of ball they have had.

France, with a one-tonne pack, are able to replace seriously big man with even more seriously big men and coping with power will be an England focus, although this is tempered by France also having a one day less turnaround, something that might prove crucial for their big guys.

My gut feel is this will be more of an arm wrestle than the other matches but with England full of confidence, I’ll call them by 23-17 in a match where owning the scoreboard with every possible chance will prove key.

Head-to-head: It has to be at eight where the best two players in that position in the Northern Hemisphere go toe-to-toe but with hugely contrasting styles. Alldritt is a carrying machine with incredible leg drive through the tackle and an outstanding jackal presence. He dominates the gain line time and time again as Leinster are very much aware. Ben Earl is quicker, more dynamic and he is the form player of the tournament so their head-to-head outcome will be key in framing the result.

Player to watch: The brilliant Charles Ollivon has had a quiet tournament by his huge standards but the big Basque loves playing against England and has scored five tries in four Tests against them. If Ollivon gets on the front foot he is the most devastating finisher as a forward in the game so England and Sam Underhill need to contain his powerful and intelligent running lines and keep him busy buried in the bottom of the rucks.

The Six Nations predictions is brought to by eToro, the official investing and trading partner of Premiership Rugby.

Tackle investing the smart way and join millions of UK investors on eToro today. The friendly platform for serious investors.

eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.