The Six Nations was filled with drama last weekend as Italy upset Scotland 31-29 in Rome and England stunned Ireland, whose hopes of back-to-back Grand Slams came to an end with a 23-22 defeat at Twickenham.
There was more pain for Wales who remain winless and bottom of the table after a 45-23 loss to France.
The results mean it is all to play for in the final round as Wales side face a wooden spoon battle against Italy, who will be filled with confidence after two promising performances, having also earned a draw with France in week 3.
England are technically in with a shot — albeit an incredibly slim one — of winning the title, but coach Steve Borthwick will be focused on building on the excellent performance his side produced at Twickenham last week.
Ireland only need a losing bonus point against Scotland in Dublin to retain their crown.
Here’s all the team news and everything you need to know heading into the final weekend.
Wales vs. Italy, Saturday, 2:15pm, Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Wales coach Warren Gatland has opted to start George North and Nick Tompkins again in the midfield after they were dropped for the France game.
The match will be North’s last for Wales after the 31-year-old announced his retirement from international rugby on Wednesday.
Captain Dafydd Jenkins will returns to the second-row after starting at flanker last week, while Alex Mann comes into the starting XV. Prop Dillon Lewis will make his first start of this year’s Championship.
With one game to go, Gatland highlighted how much is on the line on Saturday as both teams look to avoid the wooden spoon.
“This is an important game for us. We definitely don’t want to finish bottom and the squad is hungry to win,” Gatland said.
“Italy have quality players throughout the side and have been good at taking opportunities when they get them to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
“We understand that external pressure and expectation comes with international rugby. It’s about embracing that, continuing the hard work and fronting up in training to go out there and be accurate and disciplined on Saturday.”
Italy have suffered a major blow, with fullback Ange Capuozzo injured for the trip to Wales. Capuozzo fractured his finger in the win over Scotland, with Lorenzo Pani replacing him in the 15 jersey.
Stephen Varney will start at scrum-half, with Martin Page-Relo on the bench, while Lorenzo Cannone will start at No. 8 in place of Ross Vincent.
Wales: Cameron Winnett, Josh Adams, George North, Nick Tompkins, Rio Dyer, Sam Costelow, Tomos Williams, Gareth Thomas, Elliot Dee, Dillon Lewis, Dafydd Jenkins, Adam Beard, Alex Mann, Tommy Reffell, Aaron Wainwright.
Replacements: Evan Lloyd, Kemsley Mathias, Harri O’Connor, Will Rowlands, Mackenzie Martin, Kieran Hardy, Ioan Lloyd, Mason Grady.
Italy: Lorenzo Pani, Louis Lynagh, Ignacio Brex, Tommaso Menoncello, Monty Ioane, Paolo Garbisi, Stephen Varney, Danilo Fischetti, Giacomo Nicotera, Simone Ferrari, Niccolo Cannone, Federico Ruzza, Sebastian Negri, Michele Lamaro, Lorenzo Cannone.
Replacements: Gianmarco Lucchesi, Mirco Spagnolo, Giosue Zilocchi, Andrea Zambonin, Ross Vintcent, Manuel Zuliani, Martin Page-Relo, Leonardo Marin.
Ireland vs. Scotland, Saturday, 4:45pm, Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Ireland:
Replacements:
Scotland coach Gregor Townsend has resisted the urge to make wholesale changes to the side that were shocked in Rome last week. Stafford McDowall is set to make his debut, named to start in the midfield alongside Huw Jones.
Ben White returns to play at scrum-half while George Horn drops to the bench. There’s plenty of attacking threat with the back three of Blair Kinghorn, Kyle Steyn and Duhan Van De Merwe all keeping their places.
The forward pack is unchanged. but Townsend will be hoping for a better defensive effort to the one that leaked 31 points against Italy.
Scotland: Blair Kinghorn, Kyle Steyn, Huw Jones, Stafford McDowall, Duhan Van Der Merwe, Finn Russell, Ben White, Pierre Schoemann, George Turner, Zander Fagerson, Grant Gilchrist, Scott Cummings, Andy Christie, Rory Darge, Jack Dempsey.
Replacements: Ewan Ashman, Rory Sutherland, Elliot Millar-Mills, Sam Skinner, Matt Fagerson, George Horne, Cameron Redpath, Kyle Rowe.
France vs. England, Saturday, 8pm, Parc Olympique Lyonnais, Lyon
France have named an unchanged side to the one that beat Wales last week. Scrum-half Nolann Le Garrec, 21, impressed with his side under pressure and still feeling the gap left by Antoine Dupont, who has turned his attention to Sevens ahead of the Olympics.
Le Garrec will get another chance to build his partnership with fly-half Thomas Ramos, who has been called upon to guide the team again with injuries to Matthieu Jalibert and Romain Ntamack.
Coach Fabien Galthié has stuck with lock Emmanuel Meafou, centre Nicolas Depoortère and fullback Leo Barre who all made their debuts in Cardiff last week.
England have also stuck with what worked last week, with just one enforced change as Immanuel Feyi-Waboso has been ruled out after showing signs of concussion after last week’s game.
Elliot Daly comes in to start on the left wing, with George Furbank keeping his place at fullback ahead of Freddie Steward.
Manu Tuilagi has been named in the squad for the first time since last year’s World Cup, taking the 23 jersey on the bench.
France: Léo Barré, Damian Penaud, Gael Fickou, Nicolas Depoortère, Louis Bielle-Biarrey; Thomas Ramos, Nolann Le Garrec, Gregory Alldritt, Charles Ollivon, François Cros, Emmanuel Meafou, Thibaud Flament, Uini Atonio, Julian Marchand, Cyril Baille.
Replacements: Peato Mauvaka, Sébastien Taofifénua, Georges-Henri Colombe, Romain Taofifénua, Alexandre Roumat, Paul Boudehent, Maxime Lucu, Yoram Moefana.
England: George Furbank, Tommy Freeman, Henry Slade, Ollie Lawrence, Elliot Daly, George Ford, Alex Mitchell, Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Dan Cole, Maro Itoje, George Martin, Ollie Chessum, Sam Underhill, Ben Earl.
Replacements: Theo Dan, Joe Marler, Will Stuart, Ethan Roots, Alex Dombrandt, Danny Care, Marcus Smith, Manu Tuilagi