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Yes, Ireland have already wrapped up the 2018 6 Nations Championship in Round 4 by defeating Scotland 28-8 in Dublin.

Yes, the 2019 Japan World Cup Pools have already been drawn meaning any imminent changes to World Rugby Rankings are largely irrelevant.

But no, I do not believe that this year’s final Saturday of the 6 Nations, aka “Super Saturday”, is going to be anticlimactic.

Don’t expect any teams to take it easy – there is plenty riding on so-called “Anti-climax Saturday”, and here’s why:

12:30: Italy v Scotland

Italy has not won in the 6 Nations since they beat Scotland 22-19 at Murrayfield in February 2015. At home, they have not won a 6 Nations game since they beat Ireland 22-15 in March 2013. That’s 5 years and 11 consecutive home defeats. Defeat in the early game on Saturday will continue that terrible run, while victory will give Conor O’Shea something to show from his two years in charge of the perennial wooden spoon holders.

Scotland: are they becoming the new France? The cliché of “depends on which French team turn up” could become Scotland’s. Outstanding in wins against Australia in the Autumn and England recently but poor in defeats to Wales and Ireland. However, the difference is that we can pinpoint a correlation in Scotland’s defeats… playing away from home! Away wins are hard to come by in recent 6 Nations but Scotland really need a convincing bonus point win in Rome to begin to burst the away game hoodoo.

14:45: England v Ireland

Let’s start with Ireland – they have already secured the title with four wins from four. However, when you break it down, they struggled past a poor French side and followed that up with three home wins that most would have expected them to take. If Ireland clinch the Grand Slam in Twickenham on Saturday then this Ireland side will write their name in the history books and confirm they are well set for the World Cup year in 2019. Defeat and the Championship title will be a small consolation.

For England, it’s a case of how far can the mighty fall? At the start of this year’s Championship, not even the most devoted anti-England fans could have predicted that England would be staring at the prospect of three defeats for the first time since 2006. However, defeat at HQ versus Ireland will lead to more questions being asked and nothing short of a crisis for England and Eddie Jones.  Victory against a Grand Slam hunting Ireland and England can begin to rebuild ahead of a summer tour to South Africa.

17:00: Wales v France

Despite two defeats away in Dublin and London, Wales will be quietly pleased with their 6 Nations progress. An array of injuries to key players has kept various Lions out of the squad, but Wales have battered Scotland and Italy and been credible in defeat to England and Ireland. Wales now have unexpected depth in a number of positions and for the first time in a number of years, it’s tricky to name Wales’ first 15. However, the result on Saturday will determine how far this Welsh squad has come. Victory and Wales can be proud of an excellent second place from a developmental squad. Home defeat and two wins from five is a poor return.

France, well “it depends which side turns up”. France have some fantastic rugby players across the squad including a mind-boggling, professional-sport-defying Mathieu Bastareaud. If a couple of key moments had gone their way earlier in the Championship they could have beaten both Ireland and Scotland to be challenging for an unlikely Grand Slam of their own. An away win will be an outstanding way to back-up the home win against England and show some level of consistency that the French rugby public are crying out for. While defeat will leave France facing more uncertainty about how good they actually are.

Don’t expect the final day fireworks of 2015 where we were treated to three great games of rugby in which a record 27 tries where scored as Ireland, England and Wales could only be separated by points difference. However, do expect six international teams going hard, all aiming to prove something different. Whether that be backing up impressive home wins, progressing in the right direction, answering mounting questions, finding an identity, showing they can win away or even just that they can win at all!

By Huw Salmon