Friday 10 February 2017 19:41, UK
Sky Sports presenter Alex Payne provides us with his preview and predictions for this weekend's Six Nations action.
Alex was on fire last week with a winning treble, including Scotland to beat Ireland by 1-5 points at 11/2, and he has plenty of fancies for the second round of fixtures...
Wales v England (Saturday, 4.50pm)
Eddie Jones has made a lot of noise about England's history in Cardiff, but the record books show that it is actually four wins apiece in the Welsh capital in the Six Nations.
True, 2013 was a harrowing experience for anyone wearing white, but Jones has tried hard to remove that as a factor this week. His side were certainly off-colour against France - their narrowest win under the Australian - while Wales huffed and puffed against Italy before pulling clear.
England will improve significantly this week. Jack Clifford is a rookie at international level but brings more pace, and Maro Itoje will have learnt a lot from his first start at No 6.
Expect quicker ball and more penetration, and Dylan Hartley's men will take the chances that Italy failed to. Wales did win six of their seven home games last season, but there were some very average performances.
The greatest challenge was that of Australia, and the Wallabies ran riot 32-8. Although the home side will be high on emotion, England will be too good and will get home by 6-10 at 9/2.
Lucky 13 - Both outside centres to score a try at 22/1
What a head-to-head between the main contenders for the Lions 13 jersey. Jonathan Joseph crossed in this fixture two seasons ago - it was the try that launched his England career. Jonathan Davies scored against the Italians last week and looks to be gaining form. 22/1 says both men are on the scoreboard.
Italy v Ireland (Saturday, 2.25pm)
There was a familiar collapse from Italy in round one, while the concerns around Ireland proved to be well-founded.
The picture is fairly clear this weekend as well - Ireland to be much improved, particularly in defence, and to hand Italy another harsh lesson.
Conor O'Shea is throwing his soul into Italian rugby, but sometimes the bare facts are that you are only as good as the sum of your parts. And at the moment, those parts are not exactly shining. Ireland to beat -21 handicap at 4/6.
Irish fizz
This feels like the sort of afternoon where we really begin to see the class of Garry Ringrose on the international stage. I like the 6/1 on a Ringrose double.
The Azzurri are low on tries against Ireland of late - only five in seven games, and with Farrell looking for a marked improvement from his defensive wall this week, I'd look at no Italian try at 3/1. Alternatively, and sticking with the centre theme, consider Michele Campagnaro to score from the bench. Why he is not starting is a wonder.
France v Scotland (Sunday, 3pm)
The significance of a fast start in the Six Nations cannot be underestimated, and Scotland head to Paris with the wind in their sails. But if you use history as your friend when it comes to gambling, they have only managed two wins in the French capital in 48 years. Sobering indeed.
However, offset that against recent French form - only one win in four at home, and only four wins in their last 13 fixtures.
They are a side playing better but are still losing - last Saturday was a case in point. They were well beaten by the Scots at Murrayfield a year ago while recent form between these two in Paris is unconvincing too - three French wins, but all by seven or less. So I'm playing form over history and going with Scotland in a smash-and-grab. At the moment, I think they are playing better rugby. Vern Cotter's men by 1-5 at 11/2.
Scottish sensations
Stuart Hogg has scored four tries in his last two Tests and has grabbed three in five against France. He is red-hot right now and is the obvious play, but only returns at 3/1. If you like trends; Scottish wingers have scored seven tries in the last six trips to Paris. I'm hoping Tommy Seymour opens his account this weekend, he's 11/4 anytime.
It might seem curious, but I'm playing two men who desperately need a try. Noa Nakaitaci has scored once for France in two years. In 21 Tests for France, Scott Spedding has never crossed the tryline. One of them to break their duck is 8/11.
Alex's treble: England, Scotland and Ireland all to win - 9/2 with Sky Bet
