Super Saturday comes a day early in the RBS Women’s Six Nations Championship as Ireland and England are set to collide in a winner-takes-all Grand Slam decider on ‘Fabulous Friday’.

After four rounds, the Red Roses and Irish remain the only two teams with 100 per cent records, but one of those will go in Dublin on St. Patrick’s Day in the fifth and final round.

England currently top the table on 19 points with Ireland second on 18. France are third on 11, Wales fourth on six, Scotland fifth on five and Italy bottom with zero points.

However there is still much to play for as Scotland and Italy fight it out to avoid the Wooden Spoon, while France and Wales battle to end the tournament on a high.

This weekend marks the final chapter and conclusion of an enthralling 2017 Women’s Six Nations Championship, and here is a glimpse of what is sure to be a grandstand finish…

Scotland Women v Italy Women

Scotland suffered a demoralising 64-0 thumping by England last weekend, with the Red Roses crossing 12 times in a one-sided contest at The Stoop in Twickenham.

Despite this heavy defeat, the Scots are enjoying their best Six Nations tournament in seven years having already claimed their first Championship points since 2010 and win after 36 matches.

Victory over Italy at home in their final game would ensure they avoid a seventh consecutive Wooden Spoon and could even finish as high as fourth if France beat Wales on Saturday. Italy, however, could still spoil the Scottish party by leapfrogging them on points difference if they achieve a four-try bonus win and deny Scotland anything.

Even with no points, the Azzurre go into their last match knowing their fate is very much in their own hands and they can still avoid the Wooden Spoon. The Italians have produced strong first halves against Wales (8-10) and Ireland (3-3) then outscored both England (10-5) and France (5-3) after the intervals.

A complete 80-minute performance though has eluded them thus far in the Championship but, if they achieve it at the fifth attempt, Italy could yet halt Scotland’s progress.

Prediction: Scotland by 5

Venue: Broadwood Stadium?
Kick-Off: 18:20pm
?Date: Friday 17th March 2017
Broadcaster: Eurosport IT

Ireland Women v England Women

Ireland held off the challenge of an emotionally-charged Wales to win 12-7 at Cardiff Arms Park and set up a title decider with England in Dublin on St. Patrick’s Day.

Good fortune has favoured the Irish in this Championship so far with last-minute four-try bonus point successes over Scotland and Italy, plus nail-biting finishes against France and Wales seeing them scrape through.

However, Tom Tierney’s charges are finding ways to consistently grind out victories; putting them in good shape for Friday and as hosts for the Women’s Rugby World Cup this summer.

They will face their biggest challenge yet though, in the form of a rampant England team which has scored 182 points and 31 tries in their four matches to date.

English winger Kay Wilson became the first Women’s Six Nations player to score seven tries in a match as the Red Roses brushed aside Scotland 64-0 in their previous game. That romp has set the reigning World Champions up to contest for their first Six Nations’ crown and Grand Slam since 2012.

As England look to end a five-year title drought, Ireland are targeting a third Championship in five seasons. Something has to give…

Prediction: England by 12

Venue: Donnybrook
?Kick-Off: 20:00pm
?Date: Friday 17th March 2017
Broadcaster: RTE / Sky Sports

France Women v Wales Women

Holders France are set to lose their Six Nations’ crown no matter what happens in Dublin on Friday evening and will have to be content with a third place finish.

Les Bleus earned a four-try bonus 28-5 victory in Italy last weekend, but wins for England and Ireland mean they cannot overhaul either of the top two in round five.

The French will instead look to end their campaign on a high with a home triumph over Wales as they shift their focus to this summer’s Women’s Rugby World Cup.

Wales too are also targeting a strong finish to the Championship as they aim to end a run of three straight defeats.

Failure to do so would allow Scotland to overtake them in fourth with victory against Italy and consign the Welsh to a fifth-place finish for the third time in four Six Nations.

Rowland Phillips’ team threw everything at Ireland in round four, but came up short with only a losing bonus as consolation for their efforts.
An away success in France would bring some much-needed joy following a record home loss to England, a shock defeat in Scotland and the tragic loss of player Elli Norkett.

Prediction: France by 15

Venue: Stade Amedee Domenech, Brive
?Kick-Off: 21:00pm (20:00pm GMT)?
Date: Saturday 18th March 2017
Broadcaster: France 4

By Aron Hegarty