This year’s Six Nations kicks off on Friday when England travel to the Millennium stadium to face Rugby World Cup Pool A rivals Wales.
There will be plenty of intrigue as players look to secure their Rugby World Cup places and coaches try to get any sort of advantage ahead of the big one at the end of the year. Before that though there’s the little matter of the winner to be decided and each of the players involved will be doing everything within their power to ensure it’s them under the confetti come the 21st of March.
Here’s a look at each of the teams.
England
November saw the first rumblings from the English press regarding Stuart Lancaster’s performance as head coach. Lancaster has done a pretty good job to build a team that almost won last year’s Six Nations considering the shambles he inherited from Martin Johnson. This year I get the feeling that coming close won’t be good enough.
Back Row
England have so many back row options of a similar ability that it’s hard to see the issue settled before the RWC. The only English back row player who’s both good enough and consistent enough to be a guaranteed starter is Steffon Armitage and the fact that he plays in France means he wasn’t even considered for the squad. Robshaw has certainly improved after a shaky start to his captaincy where he might have been left out if he wasn’t the skipper.
Billy Vunipola has had less of an impact this season as sides have realised it’s important not to let him get up a head a steam. Nick Easter has done well to force his way back into Lancaster’s thinking and he’ll compete against Croft, Haskell, Wood and the infamous Calum Clark. If England can establish a balanced and settled back row they’ll have solved one of Lancaster’s major problems. However I have a feeling that the calls for Armitage to be included in the RWC squad on an exceptional basis might be even louder after the Six Nations.
Centre
Another problem area for England with lots of candidates but no real standouts. Lancaster’s preference seems to be the dependable if unspectacular Barritt coupled with the explosive Tuilagi. The latter will miss the Six Nations due to a long term groin injury, while the former is a doubt with a knee injury. Eastmond is out with a shoulder injury leaving Burrell, Joseph and Twelvetrees as the only fit centres from the original training squad. Don’t be too surprised if former Rabbitohs player Sam Burgess is fast tracked into the team during the tournament.
Scrum
England put in a really impressive performance against Australia in their last test match that made everyone sit up and take notice. They’ll hope that referees didn’t pay as much attention to claims of illegal tactics.
Impact on the World Cup
The big game this year for England will be the clash with Wales in the first round of matches on Friday. Not only will they have the opportunity to dent the title ambition of a serious contender they can also lay down a marker for what may well be a must win RWC pool game.
Ones to Watch
George Ford – Owen Farrell will miss the entire Six Nations through injury and as a result Ford has an opportunity to stake a claim for starting berth at 10 in the RWC. Ford offers a more expansive game than Farrell but is not as dependable from the kicking tee. He’ll face competition from Stephen Myler and a rejuvenated Danny Cipriani who’ll both be ready to pounce if Ford fails to deliver.
Dave Attwood – With Courtney Lawes out Lancaster will look to Attwood to kick on from some good performances in November. He’s maturing into a pretty decent test lock and he seems to have moved on from his earlier disciplinary problems. His aggression is now focused in a positive way and he has a chance to show why he’s such a favourite with the Bath fans.
Jonny May – England have had so many backs in recent years who’ve promised to the next big thing only to be found wanting in the test arena. He looks comfortable in an England shirt and he’ll have a go from anywhere, as his try against New Zealand showed. That combination of pace, ability and confidence can be really potent.
Expectations
England have too many good players to not be in with a shout for the title. Their main problem is they don’t have many world class players who are nailed-on starters to bring the consistency they lack. If they did I’d have them as clear favourites for the title. As it stands if they don’t win it they’ll give the winners a good run for their money.
France
There were signs in November that France has gotten their swagger back, but unfortunately their inconsistency remains a big negative. Starting off at home against Scotland should see them get off to a winning start and building some momentum for the tournament.
The Pack
France have a very solid core to their pack with Dusautoir showing excellent form in November and a number of key forwards showing good form with their clubs. The returning Picamoles will need to focus on his performance and avoid a repeat of his antics from last year that saw him dropped. They may not be up to the standard of some of the outstanding French packs we’ve seen in the past but when they’re at their marauding best they can be very difficult to stop. The problem is they struggle to maintain their intensity and put teams to the sword.
Centre
Picking the right partner for Fofana will be one of the biggest decisions Saint-Andre will face this campaign. Bastareaud’s direct running has been effective recently but he doesn’t have the fitness to deliver an 80 minute performance. Dumoulin failed to impress in November and will have to lift his game.
The Coach
It’s difficult to ignore the impact that Philippe Saint-Andre has on this team. It’s hard to see how players can be confident in their position when players who were definite starters in November are excluded from his Six Nations squad. If France manage to clinch a first title since 2010 it may be despite rather than because of the head coach.
Fly Half
This has been a problem position for France for a long time. They’ve gone for Tales and Lopez with Francois Trinh-Duc just returning to training after surgery. Lopez showed signs in November that he could be a genuine long term solution. He’s now got a chance to make the 10 shirt his own ahead of the World Cup. If Trinh-Duc can reproduce his pre-injury form for Montpellier he may well force his way back into the reckoning for the World Cup squad.
Impact on the World Cup
France face both Ireland and Italy in their RWC pool. They’ll want to avoid any further embarrassing results against Italy and even though Ireland have home advantage they always fancy their chances against the men in green.
Ones to Watch
Wesley Fofana – A sublime talent worth the admission price on his own. The elusive centre provides the perfect foil to the bashing Mathieu Bastareaud. He has the ability to make breaks himself and his reading of the game allows him to be in the right place to finish off breaks made by others.
Teddy Thomas – Back in the squad and suitably chastened following his exclusion and public dressing down for missing training during the November window. France have a lot of talent coming through in the backs at the moment but Thomas has that spark that makes you lean forward in anticipation whenever he gets the ball. Having scored four tries in November he’s a good tip for top try scorer.
Camille Lopez – Brings a bit more structure and direction to the French game while possessing the ability to release a very talented backline. The Clermont 10 can ensure his pack are marching forward and playing in the right areas of the field. It looks like France may have found the solution to what has been a problem position for them for a long time.
Expectations
The Philippe Saint-Andre factor means it’s difficult to tip France as definite title contenders. They possess the talent in the backs and a decent enough pack to beat any of the other Six Nations teams. They may sneak up on the rails while England, Wales and Ireland are slugging it out.
