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The chances of them ending their wait for a win this weekend may be slim, but Smith will hope they can continue to learn ahead of the 2023 World Cup in France. Zebre centre Elliott added: “As with all teams it’s that four-year plan. That is what they are gearing towards.” In their last meeting with England at the Stadio Olimpico, Eddie Jones’ side won 34-5 to earn another Six Nations title. This time they will face a much-changed Italy and one of the country’s big hopes in Michele Lamaro. Young Wasps hooker Zac Nearchou has shared a dressing room with the Benetton forward this seaso...

Scotland  With star players Stuart Hogg, Jonny Gray and Finn Russell all returning to the fold, this is the most talented Scotland side since the turn of the century There was a sense of ‘what next?’ when Scotland bowed out of the 2019 World Cup in the group stages. Gregor Townsend, who masterminded Glasgow Warriors’ renaissance, was not fulfilling his potential as Scotland head coach. There had been baby steps in changing Scotland’s attacking DNA, but few huge strides. Progress in the last year of international rugby has been hampered by a spate of injuries. However, with star playe...

France to cruise to victory against Italy in Rome Date published: February 5 2021 Italy and France will get their respective Six Nations campaigns underway in what should be an entertaining encounter between two sides at opposite ends of the scale in terms of their development in the international arena. The Azzurri start the Six Nations in a desperate mood as they are currently on a 27-match losing run in the competition – the worst streak in the tournament’s history – which stretches back to a Round Three encounter against Scotland in 2015 when Italy claimed a narrow 22-19 triumph at...

France meet Ireland next Sunday in a mouthwatering St Valentine’s Day clash at the Aviva.

France hope England's oldest rivals dent their Six Nations defence