The Men's Six Nations enters Round Two with everything up in the air after England's defeat of Ireland.
Now, somehow, Scotland thinks they can unseat what it still a great Irish team, Wales could be in first by the end of the weekend and Italy is just trying to stay out of the sickbed.
Scotland Swaps Kinghorn for Maitland
Scotland coach Gregor Townsend said dropping hat-trick scorer Blair Kinghorn to the bench had been a painful decision as he named his side to face Ireland in Saturday's Six Nations match at Murrayfield.
Kinghorn became the first Scotland player in 30 years to score a Championship treble when he ran in three tries during an opening 33-20 win at home over Italy last weekend.
But he now finds himself on the bench for the match, with Townsend restoring fit-again wing Sean Maitland to a now all British and Irish Lions back three also including full-back Stuart Hogg and Tommy Seymour.
Reigning champions Ireland saw their dreams of back-to-back Grand Slams scuppered with a 32-20 defeat by England in Dublin last week.
But Townsend, after announcing his team on Thursday, was adamant the Irish would provide Scotland with "probably the biggest challenge we'll face in the Guinness Six Nations."
BREAKING | Scotland make four changes for this Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations clash with Ireland @BTMurrayfield.
— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) February 7, 2019
? Berghan and Strauss replace injured Nel and Skinner, Gray & Maitland return from injury for Toolis and Kinghorn who move to the bench.
➡️ https://t.co/y0gRovACwY pic.twitter.com/wob5Ffn4JO
And given that, he has decided to start with experienced Saracens wing Maitland, a veteran of 37 tests.
But asked how hard it had been to drop Kinghorn to the bench, Townsend replied: "More difficult than what we planned it was going to be the week before.
"Blair's performance did mean that we had an extended discussion that probably went on a second day, but we believe Tommy and Sean are best equipped for this game," the former Scotland playmaker added.
Townsend has also made three changes to his pack, with prop Simon Berghan, yellow-carded against Italy, and back-row Josh Strauss starting in place of the injured Willem Nel (calf) and Sam Skinner (ankle) while Jonny Gray, fit following a shoulder problem, replaces the benched lock Ben Toolis.
Ireland Replace Injured
Schmidt has made several changes, notably recalling Rob Kearney at full-back.
Robbie Henshaw, a Lions center who struggled at full-back against England, was omitted due to a dead leg, with center Chris Farrell replacing the sidelined Garry Ringrose (hamstring).
In the pack, a revamped back-row sees Sean O'Brien and Jack Conan returning in place of Josh van der Flier and CJ Stander.
Quinn Roux, who like Stander was born in South Africa, comes into the second row in place of the injured Devin Toner.
#GuinnessSixNations
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 7, 2019
Here's the @IrishRugby team to play @Scotlandteam on Saturday.#TeamOfUs #ShoulderToShoulder #SCOvIRE pic.twitter.com/LQWUS28tMs
Jones Swaps Props
England will make at least three changes to their match-day squad for the Six Nations clash against France after Ellis Genge and Harry Williams were dropped on Wednesday.
Genge and Williams played in the closing stages of Saturday's 32-20 victory over Ireland.
But the props have been excluded by England coach Eddie Jones from his 25-man squad for the meeting with France at Twickenham on Sunday.
Genge's place at loosehead has been taken by Ben Moon, who excelled during the autumn, while Williams has lost out to veteran tighthead Dan Cole.
What's the strangest place you've received some sporting good news? ?
— BBC 5 Live Sport (@5liveSport) December 21, 2018
It's what we're asking after Ben Moon revealed he first learned of his call-up to the England rugby team whilst on a bouncy castle. ?
Tune into The Friday Sports Panel 1-2pm https://t.co/58ppLSJA6C ? pic.twitter.com/ZAPAUxNPIQ
Moon and Cole are known for their expertise at the scrum, which will be fully tested by France's heavyweight tight five to potentially explain their recall by Jones.
Countdown to #LeCrunch ?#ENGvFRA #CarryThemHome ? pic.twitter.com/1X286oDxF2
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) February 7, 2019
If he makes an appearance on the pitch, Cole will be winning his first cap since being dropped after last year's Six Nations.
Maro Itoje's knee injury means England must make one enforced change in the second row and a new option in the back five mix is Brad Shields, who has recovered from a side strain to take Itoje's spot in the 25.
Potentially making his Six Nations debut will be giant Bath wing Joe Cokanasiga, who has displaced Mike Brown in the final cut before Jones names his starting XV on Friday.
Illness Impacts Italy
Italy lost their Six Nations opener against Scotland 33-20, but three late unanswered tries have given O'Shea reason for optimism.
Captain Sergio Parisse made a record 66th Six Nations appearance at Murrayfield, as scrumhalf Guglielmo Palazzani and wings Edoardo Padovani and Angelo Esposito all scored tries in a late attacking flurry.
Palazzani, who started last week after Tito Tebaldi was injured in the warm-up, continues at scrum-half with Edoardo Gori and back Marco Barbini on the bench.
Nicola Quaglio replaces Andrea Lovotti, who has a bout of flu, with Michele Campagnaro moving to center to replace Tommaso Castello, who is also ill, and Padovani coming into the starting lineup.
Italy's last win in the Six Nations was against Scotland in February 2015.