The Six Nations' permutations for the final weekend in detail as England's task becomes clear

For Wales, who are in last place, things look painfully clear. Anything other than a win over Italy would mean they finish last.

Even winning may not be enough. With a four-point gap to the Azzurri, the easiest way to escape last place is to win and make up the points gap – currently at 11 – as long as they ensure their opponents don't get a bonus point.

A narrow win could also get the job done if Wales pick up a bonus point in the process and Italy don't. Failure to overcome their rivals would leave Wales in last place and without a win for the entire series.

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Italy has never finished higher than fourth before, but it has the opportunity to write a new chapter in its history. A bonus-point win over Wales would take their tally to 12 points, the same total currently held by England.

Scotland and France both have 11 points heading into the final round of matches, and Gonzalo Quesada's side could catch them. If Italy won a bonus point, and Scotland (playing Ireland) and France (playing England) lost without a bonus point, this would send Italy into third place.

Despite being just five points behind England in second place, Italy cannot afford to finish second. This is because at least one match between England and France will end in 12 overs, regardless of the result at Parc Olympique Lyonnais.

Scotland and France could still finish at the top of the list, but both face a difficult task to do so. For starters, Ireland's points differential is +80, which is much higher than the points differential between the two competitors who each had a score of +4.

Failure to get a bonus point for either team means they can't catch Ireland, and the same applies if Ireland get a bonus point of their own against Scotland. It would take the complete destruction of Ireland for Scotland to finish on top, accompanied by a narrow victory for France over England.

If France wants to finish first, which is unlikely, they and Scotland will need to secure bonus points. After that, it will come down to the margin of victory, provided Ireland do not get a bonus point in any defeat.

The tasks for both England and Ireland are a little clearer. For Borthwick's men, a bonus point win over France – coupled with Ireland losing to Scotland without getting a bonus point of their own – would do the trick.

If Ireland lose but get a bonus point, England will need to earn an extra point to win themselves a duck Compensation for the difference of 83 points in terms of points difference. A draw with Ireland would give them the two points needed to secure top spot.

While Ireland are favorites to top the standings, England fans can take some solace from the fact that they denied their rivals a Grand Slam win. However, after failing to achieve a more decisive victory last time out, they left their top hopes hanging by a thread.