Six Nations final-round permutations

Ireland, England and France are locked in a three-way title chase heading into the final round of the Six Nations championship on Saturday.

Here is what each of the three title contenders - Ireland, England and France - need to do if they are to be the ones celebrating a title triumph this weekend.

IRELAND

- Table-toppers Ireland are the only team controlling their destiny, with a bonus-point victory away to France will give them an unassailable lead at the top of the table.

- If Ireland secure a win without the four-try bonus point, while England claim a five-point win in Rome, then both teams would be level on 18 points. The title would then come down to points difference, with Ireland currently 23 points better off than England in that department.

- If they end up level on both points and points difference, then Ireland hold a healthy advantage over England in the next tiebreak - tries scored (14 to 9).

- If England lose or draw against Italy, then a win or a draw would ensure Andy Farrell's Ireland lift the trophy.

- Ireland's title chances would evaporate if they lose on Saturday.

ENGLAND

- The simplest route to the title is a bonus-point win over Italy coupled with Ireland failing to beat France. That would hand England the title unless France manage a five-point win in Paris and their margin of victory was at least two points greater than England's.

- If England end level on points with Ireland at the top then it comes down to the points difference, with Eddie Jones' side trailing Ireland by 23 in that department.

- If both England and France collect four or five points to finish atop the table, then it will again come down to points difference. England hold a +15 to +13 advantage.

FRANCE

- France must beat Ireland in Paris and better England's result in Rome to win the title.

- If both France and England get a four-point victory or a five-point victory, then France must notch a margin of victory at least two points greater than England's.

- If England and France end level on points difference then it's France who hold the advantage as the next tiebreaker is the number of tries scored (France lead 13 to 9).