Permutations station: Ireland can win Six Nations this weekend

Ireland can win the Guinness Six Nations championship this weekend if they beat Scotland and the result of the England-France game goes their way.

Similar to 2018, the last time Ireland won the Six Nations, the final match against England in Twickenham, which secured a Grand Slam, was the added bonus as the title had already been won after the round-four results put Joe Schmidt's side into an unassailable lead.

For that to happen this time a number of results are needed.

Should Ireland beat Scotland (Sunday, 3pm) without a bonus point they move on to 19 points and out of the reach of Gregor Townsend's team.

That could be enough to be crowned champions if on Saturday (4.45pm), France and England, both currently on 10 points, draw.

A stalemate in Twickenham, if either or both sides scored four tries would get them up to 13 points, and unable to catch Ireland with one round left.

A bonus-point victory for Ireland in Edinburgh would clinch the trophy if England or France win without a bonus point as Ireland would move to 20 points, six clear of their closest challengers.

However, if either side win with a bonus point, thus reaching 15 points, then nothing Ireland can do in Murrayfield, even a five-point haul, would get them over the line this weekend.

That said, Andy Farrell’s charges go into the game with a hefty points difference in their favour and that’s the criteria, not head-to-head, that would count first when teams finish level on points in the table.

They are +51, with Scotland (+23), England (+21) and France (+3) playing catch-up with just two rounds left.

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