The first rest weekend of the 2023 Guinness Six Nations has been and gone and attention swiftly turns to Round 3 and when the teams will be announced.
Ireland sit top of the table after two bonus point wins against Wales and France but they are being matched by Scotland, who also have 10 points at the top of the table after bonus point wins against England and Wales.
England and France do both have victories against Italy to their name and will be hoping to build on that in Round 3 before they face each other in Le Crunch at Twickenham a fortnight later.
There is work to be done for Wales and Italy however, who are both entering Round 3 chasing their first win of the Championship.
The Azzurri host Ireland in the first match of the weekend before England travel to Cardiff, where Warren Gatland will look to earn his first win since returning to the fold.
On Sunday, Scotland look to make yet more history in Paris, where they face France in a crunch battle at the Stade de France.
But before all of that mouth-watering action come the team announcements, and here we have all the information you need.
TUESDAY
Wales are first out the blocks, with their squad to face England set to be announced on Tuesday at midday.
All eyes will be on Warren Gatland’s team after he made six changes following defeat to Ireland in Round 1, omitting experienced trio Alun Wyn Jones, Justin Tipuric and Taulupe Faletua.
Will he opt to bring back some wise old heads or keep his faith in youth?
THURSDAY
The identity of Wales’ opponents will be discovered two days later, with Steve Borthwick set to name his side on Thursday at 12:30pm.
Borthwick may have some selection decisions to make after impressive performances from Henry Arundell and Alex Mitchell against Italy, while Tom Curry, Courtney Lawes and George Ford are all available again following injuries.
There were promising performances too from David Ribbans, Tommy Freeman and Cadan Murley in club colours, could the trio have forced Borthwick’s hand?
Thursday will also see Italy and Ireland name their squads for the clash in Rome.
Andy Farrell will name Ireland’s 23 at 1.45pm and there could be a return for Tadhg Furlong to the squad, but with the form of Finlay Bealham, it may not be in a starting berth.
He will also need to name a replacement in the second row, after Tadhg Beirne suffered an injury against France which will rule him out.
Kieran Crowley may have some injury enforced changes to make after Michele Lamaro’s knock against England, but he may also see a return to the fold for Paolo Garbisi who returned to action for Montpellier last weekend.
FRIDAY
Gregor Townsend is first to show his hand on Friday, naming his squad to attempt to raid Paris for back-to-back wins in the French Capital for the first time since 1928 at 10am.
Townsend has so far been able to be consistent with his team after a good run of few injuries and that looks set to continue, with the exception of Stuart Hogg, who faces a nervous wait to see if he can advance towards his 100th Scotland cap.
An hour later, Fabien Galthie will name his France side to host Scotland.
Les Bleus are hoping to bounce back from their defeat to Ireland which ended their winning run, and there is the possibility of a return of one of their star backs, with Jonathan Danty closing in on a return.
There will also have to be a decision made at tighthead prop, after Uini Atonio was cited and faces two matches on the sidelines.
