Six Nations - who needs what?

20 March 2015 01:31

Four teams can still win the Six Nations ahead of Saturday's final round of matches. Here AFP looks at what each one needs to do so:

ENGLAND

Currently leading the table on points difference, England must beat France by no more than four points fewer than Ireland and 25 points fewer than Wales if both of those win as well. England can also claim the title with a draw if both Ireland and Wales fail to win, and with a defeat by less than eight points as long as Wales lose and Ireland lose by no less than four points fewer than England. Should either Ireland or Wales match England's final points total and points difference total then the champions would be decided on tries scored, where England lead the former by seven and the latter by six.

IRELAND

Currently behind England by a points difference of just +4, the reigning champions must better England's score by a minimum of five points, in victory or defeat. At the same time, in the case of victory, they must not win by less than 21 points fewer than Wales. In defeat -- by no more than three points -- they can still win the championship if Wales lose and France beat England by at least six but no more than nine points.

WALES

The task for the 2012 and 2013 champions is simple, they must win and win big, unless both England and Ireland fail to do so. Wales can take the title with a draw if both England and Ireland lose and with any win if those two both fail to do so. But if either England or Ireland win, then Wales must do so and overturn a points difference of +25 to the former and +21 to the latter. If they lose, they cannot win the title.

FRANCE

It's a long shot but the French can still triumph if results go their way. To do so, both Ireland and Wales must lose and they must beat England by at least eight points. A victory by 11 points or more would guarantee them the title should both Ireland and Wales lose but a victory by eight-10 points would require Ireland to lose by two-four points.

Source: AFP