Ding Ding Round 2!!!!

Right then, lets crack on with whats happening in the rugby extravaganza that is the Six Nations this weekend:

France vs. Scotland Sat 3pm

The Scots never really got going against Wales, although at times they played some pretty good rugby especially towards the end when there confidence grew in spades, with the addition of the exciting Evans brothers they should have a bit more pace in the backline and the older of the two Max will be brimming with confidence after his excellent try last week. Supposedly he is genuinely in with a shout to make the 2012 Olympics as a sprinter, running the 100m in 10.8 secs, so he should make an impact to say the least!

The French flattered to deceive last week against Ireland, again they showed brief glimpses of their dynamic best but they have been hugely criticised in France for showing a lack of aggression, so expect a big backlash against the Scots, and with their passionate home support behind them, I expect them to be on fire.

Verdict: France to win by a decent 15 point margin.

Wales vs. England Sat 5pm

Well it's the big one, the favourites Wales against former World Champions England, but I can see this only going one way and that is the way of the Valleys!! England looked like they had regressed a few stages against Italy last week, and while Wales may have taken their foot of the gas against the Scot, their performance was in a different class than my beloved England's.

Team news wise they have electric winger Shane Williams out but they welcome back talismanic captain Ryan Jones, while Martin Jonson brings back Tindall, who will add some extra impact to the midfield and Joe Worsley, who I have never been convinced about at international level, and it wont help that he is playing in his unnatural position of open side against one of the form players in that position in the world at the moment, Martyn Williams.

I am happy that Johnson has recalled Phil "Raging Bull" Vickery to the side, as he is in the form of his life for Wasps at the moment, and he will bring some much needed passion and aggression to the England pack.

All in all, I see Wales walking this game, hopefully England will play with heart and desire, but the Welsh's extra speed and strength in the forwards and their ability to control the breakdown and contact areas will mean England will play the game on the back foot. As for the Welsh backs, their decision making and decisiveness will make their opposite numbers look like their running through a portion of my mum's custard (if you stuck a spoon in it - it stood up on its own!).

Wales will win, but its about margins, and I hope England continue to take the game to the Welsh, but bear in mind, if they start to cut loose in front of their passionate home fans at the Millennium Stadium, I think we could be in serious trouble........I would love to be proved wrong though!

Verdict: Wales to win by 20 (yes 20!)

Italy vs. Ireland Sun 2.30pm

On the back of their win against the French last week, Brian O'Driscoll's men will travel to Paris in the highest of spirits, while Italy were the laughing stock of the sporting world last week when coach Nick Mallett made the calamitous decision to play Mauro Bergamasco at scrum half, even though he had never played there before......4 tries later, that experiment was over. Silly thing is, if you take away those four tries they gave away doing a "Mauro" (forever more to mean playing someone horrendously out of position), they actually would have won the game 11-10!!

It is good to see Declan Kidney getting the most out of this Irish side as these are the same guys that didn't perform at the last World Cup, but with time and perseverance they are starting to live up to my pre tournament billing as second favourites, and they are on target for setting up a Six Nations decider against Wales on the final weekend in Cardiff. I just feel that Ireland will have much too much ability against the Italians, who no doubt will do themselves, proud once more with their commitment and desire levels; it's just that sometimes that is not enough.

Verdict: Ireland to win by 30

So that's my preview to the Six nations, I am also looking forward to all the FA Cup action over the weekend as well, with two of the in form teams in the Premiership going head to head when Villa go to Goodison to take on Everton, and Derby hosting World Champions Man United at Pride Park.

I will go for Villa 2-1 over Everton, and Derby (who have beaten United already this season) to go down pluckily to a couple of late goals 2-0, and check back here on Monday to see my reaction to what happens!

Also don't forget to tune into Offside tomorrow from 1pm on Kerrang! (105.2 FM, or on DAB, Sky, Virgin and Freeview) to follow all of the action and get involved with the live footy blog where we have journalists at all the big games reporting live right here on the Mercury website in the sport section!

Until then my illustrious compadres!