With the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand looming later in the year, the Six Nations takes on even more importance than usual. The Tri-Nations and Autumn Internationals showed how difficult the southern hemisphere teams will be to beat, so who is going to be the standard bearer from Europe?
Six Nations Championship Preview - France
Grand Slam winners in a poor 2010 tournament, France should once again be favourites for the 2011 title. However, summer losses against South Africa and Argentina, allied to an absolute stuffing by Australia at home hints at some cracks. They also have a difficult schedule, with a gentle opener against Scotland in Paris followed by visits to Twickenham and Dublin. France may win the championship, but they are unlikely to repeat Le Grande Chelem this year.
Player to Watch: Difficult to tell as France seem to use a tombola to select their side.
Six Nations Championship Preview - England
England have re-discovered themselves over the last 12 months, with the emergence of some young exciting backs. Surprisingly, given England’s traditional style and the fact that they have the pragmatic Martin Johnson at the helm, they have played some expansive rugby this year.
England open their tournament in Cardiff on a Friday night in a match pivotal for both them and Wales. Win that, and two home games against Italy and France set them up for a tilt at the title.
Player to Watch: Ben Youngs, lightning quick scrum half
Six Nations Championship Preview - Ireland
Has the Golden Generation run out of steam? Surely this must be the last hurrah for Brian O’Driscoll’s team. Much of the pack is over 30, as are some of their backs.
The balance of power in Irish regional rugby has also moved from Limerick to Dublin with Munster failing to make the knockout stages of the Heineken Cup and this may signal a shift away from Munster’s forward orientated game to the more expansive game played by Leinster.
Ireland start their campaign with Italy in Rome, but have the advantage of playing both England and France at home, so it should be a good year for them, setting them up for a final assault on the RWC.
Player to Watch: Tommy Bowe, lethal finisher
Six Nations Championship Preview - Scotland
Scotland have an abrasive pack, but very little firepower behind the scrum and with the new law interpretations, it is difficult to see them avoiding their annual battle for the Wooden Spoon with Italy. Despite this, they are capable of turning teams over, particularly on cold, wet days in Murrayfield as World Champions South Africa in the autumn.
They travel to Paris for the opening game, a fixture which has always proved difficult for them and then face Wales at home. This match is likely to define their tournament. Win it and a final week home win will see them in mid-table obscurity, lose it and a long tournament stretches before them.
Player(s) to Watch: The killer B’s, Scotland’s abrasive back row
Six Nations Championship - Wales
2010 was a horrible year for Wales. They recorded only 2 wins in 12 matches, one of those against Italy and the other, a miraculous comeback win against Scotland. They also managed to draw at home with Fiji. They did, however, show some spark against New Zealand in the summer, despite leaving a number of senior players at home.
Logic dictates that Wales will play for the middle placings, but logic and Welsh rugby don’t make easy bedfellows. There is just a hint of something better from the Principality, key players coming back from injury, although the late loss of Lions props Gethin Jenkins and Adam Jones will seriously de-power the scrum. The fixture list looks good too. Wales play England at home first, two away fixtures with Scotland and Italy are followed by Ireland home and France in Paris. If they beat England, Wales could be the tournament dark horses.
Player to Watch – George North 18-year-old winger who scored two tries on his debut.
Six Nations Championship - Italy
The Italian Rugby Union has made a bold move to try and combat Italy’s status of perennial Wooden Spoon candidates. In a move reminiscent of Wales’ switch to regions, the playing resources of the Azzuri have been concentrated into two clubs, Benetton Treviso and the Calvisano based Aironi. These clubs have been entered into the Magners league and this regular exposure to a higher level of rugby can only be good for the Italians in the long term. However, this will take longer than a few months for them to see the benefits.
The Italians will target Wales in Rome, but that is likely to be the only game they have a chance to win.
Player to Watch – Sergio Parisse, World class No. 8, back from long term injury
Neil Hughes - Growing up in West Wales, there was little doubt that rugby would be one of the great passions of my life. I played with great enthusiasm ...
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