SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Why Marcus Smith's days are numbered, how Wales bounced back and the reason Scotland can't kick on - WEEKEND TAKEAWAYS

With England now two wins from three in this Six Nations after back-to-back victories over France and Scotland, we're set for a thrilling finale to the 2025 Championship.

Here are my takeaways from round three…

With George Furbank out injured, I've supported the Smith-Smith axis of Fin and Marcus in England's last two games because it has been the best solution to a particular problem and they have won both matches.

However, the Calcutta Cup again exposed the fact that Marcus Smith is a No 10 playing at full-back. He can do a decent enough job there, but he is not a specialist.

I think it's approaching the time where Marcus Smith has to go to Steve Borthwick and say: 'You have to pick me in my best position and that is fly-half.'

I feel sorry for him because he is clearly a wonderful player. But he is 26 now and should not be having to waste his prime years as an international out of position.

If Furbank is fit for the Italy and Wales games, Borthwick has got a big decision to make between which Smith is the No 1 playmaker.

For me Fin has taken his chance really well and has proved he is a player who really can perform under pressure. That leaves Marcus on the bench.

Sometimes being versatile can count against you!

I so enjoyed watching the Wales-Ireland game. In their first two matches under Warren Gatland, Wales looked totally devoid of any ideas, confidence or frankly, much ability.

But in just four training sessions under the guidance of interim head coach Matt Sherratt, they were totally transformed.

Wales really took it to Ireland. Yes, they didn't win. But their performance should give Wales' players real heart with Scotland and England to come.

I don't know Sherratt, but I take my hat off to him. He showed that if you are a top coach, you can work wonders in even the shortest of time.

Selection is your No 1 skill followed by ensuring you play faster than your opposition. Sherratt got both spot on. Well done to him and Wales.

Scotland have brilliant attackers and with the ball, they were a far better side than England at Twickenham. I love watching them play.

But they can't seem to string that together with a strong forward display and that is a problem if you're going to win big Test matches on a consistent basis.

At No 10, there can be no doubt Finn Russell is a wonderful talent. I'm not saying he's a bad player by any means.

But in many ways, Scotland are epitomised by their captain. Like his team, Russell mixes moments of attacking brilliance with errors and a drop off in basic skills – like the three missed conversions against England.

Those kicks weren't necessarily the reason why Scotland lost because if Russell had got them, then England would have played differently. But they certainly didn't help.

Ireland were given a real fright in Cardiff. But the fact they came through and with so many young players on the field would have given them a lot of confidence.

Their next game, at home to France, will define whether or not they win a Grand Slam and they should be confident of going all the way now. Simon Easterby will have breathed a huge sigh of relief leaving Principality Stadium.

But his team are the best in the tournament. Now, they need to show it by clinching a clean sweep.

France demolished Italy in Rome on Sunday. I don't think the Azzurri were anywhere near their best and were cut open far too easily in defence.

But the strength of France's attacking game was far too good. Antoine Dupont, of course, was at the heart of it but I also really liked the performance of their young full-back Leo Barre. He looks a proper player.

Watching France at the Stadio Olimpico made me think again about just how wasteful they were against England. That was a game they should have won.

Had they done so, their meeting with Ireland would have been a Grand Slam decider.

That Twickenham defeat will and should haunt Fabien Galthie's side for a long, long time.