This should be the most competitive Six Nations in many years. But who, by the end of March will be champions - Tom-Henry tries to answers that question...
Who do you fancy then? France, Ireland or England - or even the what about the long odds of Scotland and Wales.
This Championship is due to be the tightest in modern memory. Just think back to the autumn we’ve just had. Every home nation had a very successful few weeks. France and Ireland both coming off absolutely majestic performances against the Kiwis, while England gritted out a win versus the far superior world champs, and both Wales and Scotland despatched of Australia.
But it is this years fixture list that throws up the biggest questions. Last years Six Nations saw the highest equal amount of away wins ever, and it was no coincidence that all of the games were played in empty stadiums. Fans are back and therefore, so is home advantage. That for me, among so of other reasons means that it is France’s championship to lose.
To face both England and Ireland at home is provides a massive advantage if they wish to reach their championship desires. This French team has been building for so many years and I believe that this must be their year.
So much has been written after that amazing victory against the All Blacks in November, but that was part of a much wider narrative for this French side. It is so hard to believe that Shaun Edwards has now been the French defence coach for the third Six Nations Championship, France’s attack is scary, but it’s their defence will be scarier and more aggressive yet.
France, ultimately have far too much quality in their ranks to lose this Championship but the big doubt is whether they can now actually deliver. I say they can.
Now, I may have completely overlooked Ireland, who are now also reaching a zenith under Andy Farrell. They are a side that looked so out of direction and were deemed to have no identity back in 2020. That simply cannot be said only 18 months later on. You have to look no further than the front row to see the size, quality, power and skills that epitomise this Irish side. This is where their strength lies and they must make it count there. But a small point on just how important it is having 11 Leinster players starting in your 15. It simply brings so much cohesiveness which is probably the one thing that rebuilding sides without key players like Wales and England are so dearly missing.
Many are tipping England to win this championship. I won’t completely write them off but I believe they are still someway off their best and this is clearly a young and inexperienced side. That being said, if they beat Scotland on the first weekend they face Italy and then Wales at home in Round 3. One thing that is for certain is that this English side, now led by Tom Curry and Marcus Smith is pretty fearless.
A word on Wales, everyone can see that they are a side in transition and are without swathes of key players. I think that unlike the fluke that was last years triumph, which papered over many of the deep cracks in the Welsh side and in Welsh rugby in general, this is the year that those cracks will be totally exposed. My prediction is a thumping in Dublin and a dreaded trip to Twickenham could be games that haunt Welsh rugby for many years. That being said, I think they’ll beat Scotland Round 2, if not they’ll be heading into the last weekend for a wooden spoon playoff with Italy.
Scotland are a side; I feel that are at the peak of their powers. This team has been growing since the 2018 victory against England and it is now probably at the top of their cycle. Talents like Hogg, Russell, Price, Watson and Fagerson are reaching the peak of their careers. The challenge for this Scottish side is putting in a solid performance two weeks in a row. I doubt they can back it up each week and that will be their downfall.
Italy again, are a young team that's growing, I can’t profess to know much about their side, but I suspect they’ll have a better tournament than last years. That might not necessarily mean they can win a game but we should definitely see some improvement on performance.
Like I said at the start, this is France’s championship to lose, and I don’t think anyone will stop them on their way to their first Grand Slam since 2010.
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