"Beat Your Opposite Man" - 2023 Six Nations Round 4: Three Key Battles

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Marcus Smith returns to lead the line for England, and takes on Romain Ntamack who also has a point to prove. Hugo Keenan and Stuart Hogg take our attention, as they key battle for Scotland vs Ireland. So, here is how each side line up, in these three key battles in a 'make-or-break' Six Nations weekend.

Italy v Wales - Key Battle: Back Row

This decider to avoid the wooden spoon will see a key battle amongst the loose forwards, as both sides have hard-hitting trios at the back of the scrum. This match will be won and lost in the contact and breakdown area, with mistakes and penalties likely given how both sides will be desperate to avoid a winless Six Nations.

Italy have surpassed expectations already this competition, with the three workhorses able to match the powerful attacks or France and Ireland. Despite faltering slightly against England, Italy are no pushovers in the contact zone. Italian captain Michele Lamaro and flanker partner Sebastian Negri both shone against France, working tirelessly with an ever-rising tackle count between them, and both made it into RUCK's Team of the Week for Round 1. Lorenzo Cannone brings the added dynamic of a powerful ball carrying presence, with the 22-year-old's youthful exuberance set to bring the fight to the Wales veterans.

Wales have an interesting mix of youth and veteran experience in their back row. 23-year-old Jac Morgan continues to impress for his country, and lines up alongside Justin Tipuric and Taulupe Faletau, who have 189 total combined caps for Wales. Tipuric and Faletau know what it takes to grind out a hard-fought result. Hoping to move on from the haunting loss to Italy last year, keeping a calm head will be key. Tensions will surely fly in Rome in this bottom of the table clash, yet the side who secures the breakdown and avoids needless penalties, will keep the scoreboard ticking over for the win.

Marcus Smith will make his return to the England fly half spot, just a week after he was entirely dropped from Steve Borthwick's training squad.

Borthwick wanted Smith to 'boss a game', and get valuable playing minutes under his belt at Harlequins, after playing for just 14 seconds for England against Wales. Smith did just that with a 'Player of the Match' performance against Exeter Chiefs, leading his side to a landslide 40-5 victory in 'Big Game 14'.

Smith has great expectations, as Owen Farrell has been dropped to the bench and loses the captaincy against France. The Saracen was underwhelming against Wales, with a poor showing from the kicking tee highlighting his sub-par performance.

Smith has a golden opportunity to re-assert himself into the England squad, with a performance that Borthwick simply cannot overlook. France fly half Romain Ntamack is in a similar position to Smith, as he is used to the presence of Matthieu Jalibert breathing down his neck for the number 10 jersey.

However, Jalibert will miss the match against England after suffering an ankle injury on Wednesday. Ntamack now has breathing space to express himself, without the fear of being replaced by the Bordeaux-Begles playmaker.

Two of the world's best fly halves line up against each other with points to prove. It is lining up to be a compelling contest, as Smith and Ntamack take the reigns for their nations. Two players with the proven ability to tear trhough a defence, be that by run, pass or kick, sets the stage at Twickenham for a thrilling contest.

Stuart Hogg is set to make his 100th test cap for Scotland, when Ireland make the trip to Murrayfield this Sunday.

The fullback has been an integral part of the Scottish back-line since his arrival in 2012, and has achieved the try-scoring record for his country, with 27 and counting. His testing runs will challenge the green wall of the Irish defence, with opposite man Hugo Keenan being the last point of call to bring down a break into the back-field. Scotland's desire is the end the Grand Slam hopes for Ireland, with Hogg a key player in this plan.

Keenan has been outstanding throughout the 2023 Guinness Six Nations, beginning his campaign with a 'Player of the Match' performance against Wales. Scoring important tries throughout the competition, Keenan's pick so far was in the all-important second round match against France. With an explosive first step, and the fearlessness to take a defender on head-first, Keenan is unpredictable to defend against, with Scotland players weary of his evasive runs and physical prowess in contact.

As good as both full-backs are in attack, their defensive talents will be crucial for their sides victory. Starting with the arial battle, both Hogg and Keenan will expect to receive high balls into the back-field, if the match breaks down into a kicking contest. But also in the tackle, as Scotland and Ireland have plentiful ball carriers, who are capable of brushing past the last defender on their way through to the try-line. The likes of Duhan van der Merwe and James Lowe are threats from out wide, and when cutting in-field. Both full-backs should expect a tough day at the office defensively this Sunday.