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Fantasy Rugby 2018: Week three Six Nations preview

A week's break has left everyone salivating for international rugby and the Six Nations returns with Ireland hosting Wales, Scotland looking to end a 10-year-wait for a Calcutta Cup win against England and France vying with Italy for a first victory.

While it might be hard to get overly excited about the opening clash between winless France and Italy, there will be plenty of eyes on Saturday's double-header featuring the four Lions nations.

It's time to dust off the keyboard and let ESPN cover the main points as you get your team ready for round three of Fantasy Rugby.

Fixtures:

Feb. 23, 8.00 p.m. GMT - France vs. Italy

Feb. 24, 2.15 p.m. GMT - Ireland vs. Wales

Feb. 24, 4.45 p.m. GMT - Scotland vs. England

Where am I going to score points?

It's usually the team who plays Italy which produces plenty of fantasy points, but the form France have shown in the first two rounds of the tournament hardly instills confidence.

Couple that with off-the-field issues following their loss to Scotland that has seen top try-scorer Teddy Thomas -- among others -- dropped for the clash with Azzurri and it could be a hard-fought contest in Marseille.

The two clashes between the four Home Nations are set to be tight tussles too where players are rewarded for their defensive efforts. Wales' Josh Navidi was a beast a fortnight ago with 21 tackles, while England's Joe Launchbury was not far behind him with 19. Choose your forwards wisely!

Who should I transfer out?

Rhys Patchell did an admirable job for Wales through the first two rounds of the Six Nations, but he's dropped out of the matchday squad against Ireland this week as Dan Biggar returns to full fitness.

As mentioned above, Teddy Thomas has been one of the shining lights for France with three tries in two matches, but his off-field antics has seen him left out of the clash with Italy.

Much faith had been put in Finn Russell to deliver for Scotland at fly-half this term, but so far he hasn't lived up to those expectations. He has the tendency to go missing in big matches, and was replaced late in the win over France a fortnight ago with scrum-half Greig Laidlaw stepping into the out-half position.

Who should I bring in?

Liam Williams lit up the British & Irish Lions tour of New Zealand last summer and was in scintillating form during last year's Six Nations. The Saracens outside back has recovered from injury and is a big boost to Wales, adding a bit of extra spark to their back three alongside Leigh Halfpenny and Steff Evans.

If you don't mind a gamble, it could be worth taking a punt on the unpredictable Mathieu Bastareaud. Having missed the first two rounds due to suspension for a homophobic slur, the Toulon centre returns against an Italian side who have shown their vulnerabilities on defence so far this year. This could be the weekend where 'Big Basta' winds back the clock with a few barnstorming runs and tries.

Who should be my kicker?

It's always hard to regather momentum and form after a fallow week, but if Ireland and Wales pick up where they left off it looks so close to call that it could come down to a battle of the goal kickers in Dublin.

Johnny Sexton has had his kicking boots on all tournament and appears to be riding a wave of confidence ever since that massive match-winning drop goal against France. Leigh Halfpenny has been no slouch either and is ever-reliable in big game situations.