hen the 2021 Six Nations schedule was initially released it was popularly assumed the pivotal “Super Saturday” fixture would kick off at tea-time in Dublin. The prospects of Ireland v England being an amuse‑bouche to the main event were on a par with the championship taking place without the presence of a single paying spectator. It just goes to show the reliable unpredictability of the Six Nations, a fact worth contemplating as Wales and France await their Parisian denouement in a city under lockdown. Will there be one final twist? Or another whole chapter? It is still possible the entire Welsh nation will have to endure a further six days of agony and end up having to rely on Scotland doing them a sizeable favour next Friday night. Super Saturday? It could yet become Frantic Friday instead. Particularly if the title boils down to a scrum five metres from the Scottish line with France hunting a last-minute bonus point to clinch a first title since 2010. Only if the Scots are able to field absolutely their strongest side will a potential row over the integrity of the championship definitely be avoided. Discontent is smouldering with Premiership Rugby insisting it has still not finalised the terms under which Scotland’s English-based players such as Exeter’s Stuart Hogg, Jonny Gray and Sam Skinner and Harlequins’ Scott Steele will be released, with an initial Six Nations compensation offer having been rejected. Worcester, though, issued a statement saying that “like other Premiership clubs (we) have agreed to support the SRU in releasing players on the same financial terms as English players are released by the RFU.” The confusion merely underlines rugby’s continuing struggle to iron out the organisational kinks that diminish the game’s profile. The women’s Six Nations is due to kick off in a fortnight yet the venues and kick-off times are only set to be announced on Monday. Clearly it has been a difficult year for everyone but the sport’s promoters continue to do themselves few favours. The good news is that, almost in spite of itself, the men’s tournament has delivered more joy than its backdrop of echoing empty stands might have indicated. With the exception of Italy – the Azzurri’s lack of competitiveness is becoming the most conspicuous elephant in the room locally since Hannibal crossed the Alps – all the other sides have enjoyed at least one highly satisfactory outing. The “what if” count has also been considerable. What if Eddie Jones had not convinced himself his Saracens players were all in prime form for the opening game against Scotland? What if Peter O’Mahony had not hit “that” ruck or if Billy Burns had found touch with that late kick to the corner? What if Scotland’s Zander Fagerson had stayed on the field against Wales or France had scored a third try just before the interval at Twickenham? Either way, it reinforces the slim margins for error for all involved. It is also a reminder that stringing together five good Tests in a row, against competitive opposition, is harder than it looks from the outside. Weather, referees, injuries, history, brain fades, ego: at some stage the Six Nations is decisively shaped by them all. Is the tournament consistently of the highest quality? Not always. But in South Africa and New Zealand they will still be looking on this weekend with particular interest. What clues will it offer as to the makeup of the British & Irish Lions side likely to face the Springboks this summer? And is it really possible that five European teams could be major players at the 2023 World Cup? In terms of the Lions, this certainly has the feel of a final trial. Win at the Stade de France and clinch a grand slam, and Wales will be entitled to believe their former coach Warren Gatland will select accordingly. Similarly if England were to go to Dublin and win at a canter it will be hard to argue for many Irish forwards beyond Tadhg Furlong, Iain Henderson and the absent James Ryan making the UK-based “tour” that sounds increasingly on the cards. Which, along with a desire to give the retiring CJ Stander a good send-off, might supply Ireland with all the motivation they need. One more good game and Johnny Sexton and Conor Murray will fancy being back in Lions red. Suffer a hefty defeat at home against a suddenly revitalised England, with George Ford and Ben Youngs to the fore, and the equation will start to look very different. Imagine, too, if the tournament decider were not to be free to air in future? Purely for that reason this would be a timely moment for France and Wales to deliver a see-sawing classic that delights a neutral audience as well. Wales have a habit of hanging tough in the closing stages of games and it is equally possible to see them capitalising if France become too loose in pursuit of the bonus-point try they will need to maintain their title push. It has all the ingredients to be a high-scoring thriller on a cool, clear Parisian evening; nor would it be a total surprise if Wales lose out on a grand slam but still hoist a trophy. It would certainly save the organisers a ton of hassle.