France to win the 6N and keep an eye out for flanker Bonnaire.
Ireland coach Declan Kidney is predicting a ferociously contested Six Nations championship which is unlikely to produce a Grand Slam winner.
The Irish have been installed as fourth favourites to win the championship, behind France, Wales and England.
"I'm not a regular reader of the odds but I imagine they're tight because it's as tight a championship as it's ever been," said Kidney.
"Whoever comes out of the traps running will have a good tournament."
The make up of the Welsh 2nd row will also affect the scrum with both Wyn Jones and Charteris out and talk of playing a backrow in the 2nd row.
Would say he is alright in the loose but no great shakes at scrumtime IMHO. Adam Jones niggling injuries would be a bit more of an issue for Welsh scrum. Ireland have massive scrum issues if Ross gets injured, next up Tight head would seem to be Archer (starting for Wolfhounds tomorrow against Saxons) who has only started about a dozen first class games and has had his arse handed to him on a plate on more than one occasion. Worrying about the Irish and Munster tight head situation is the reason I cite for my receding hairline. Sounds like Roberts should be fit and the Welsh have called up Stephen 'the drop goal bottler' Jones.Roberts should be fit to play. Forgot about AWJ and Charteris but at least new guy Evans looked good against Oz, and should go OK with Davies in the 2nd row. Not good to lose that experience though, is it? Yeah, Wales are going to do it tough.
Jenkins is a huge loss as he is probably the ranking LHP in the world at the minute - for his scrum work, open play and even poaching the ball at the ruck.
Nothing sums up the Henson sideshow better than his call up being leaked the day before the squad was announced. Agree with comment about Lancaster, RFU are such star fuckers they can't have a rugby man through and through they have to go for a name.The make up of the Welsh 2nd row will also be affect the scrum with both Wyn Jones and Charteris out and talk of playing a backrow in the 2nd row. The opening game in a 6Ns is always important but I think for both Wales and Ireland it's doubly so. I think the winner of this one will be France's main rivals. POC is already firing up the Irish squad to make amends for our poor showing against Wales in the WC QF. I'm really looking forward to this one and I'm glad I have tickets for it.
Dai,
I was amazed at the Henson getting back in too. The WC squad sent out a message that Wales were going with youth and moving on. Bringing Henson back brings the spotlight on off-field matters again. One good thing for you is that he wont be around for the whole 6Ns as he's bound to pick up an injury. But in fairness when he's fully fit anf firing he's still an impressive sight on the rugby field, just never happened often enough.
On another 6Ns note I found it amusing that England are to be spoken to by a soccer player with regards to their off-field behaviour. Just shows how low they sunk during the WC that a soccer player now has the moral high ground. Although to be fair Phil Neville is as clean cut as they come.
Lancaster's reign is already looking a bit like Brian Ashton's. Plenty of good ideas will be implemented and lots of new guys blooded but no matter what he does there's someone else in the wings they have lined up to take over.
And next year, Adam Jones will be in france and Gethin Jenkins possibly. Wonder who else will be off. Cardiff Blue said the Welsh 87 RWC team was torn apart by league poaching, this lot look like they could all be off to France.So the French players will be released back to their clubs this weekend for the Top 14. That's madness.