Saturday 4th February sees the start of the 2012 Six Nations. Italy and France kick off the competition in Paris on Saturday afternoon with last years upset by the Italians very much on the French minds. England then go to Scotland before Wales and Ireland meet on Sunday. After a mixed display at the World Cup for the home nations teams, the Six Nations will give each side the chance to step forward and show the world what they are all about. For once there will be no clear favourite, leaving the door open for any of the teams to stamp their authority on the competition. Can England repeat last years victory, or will the French prove too strong, or will the Welsh get the results their play deserves?
World Ranking: 3
Coach: Philippe Saint-Andre
Captain: Thierry Dusautoir
The French come into the tournament as slight favourites, which comes from their ability in reaching the World Cup Final last year. The French were unlucky not to beat the All Blacks in the final, but were lucky to get there in the first place. After some particularly shoddy and lacklustre displays in the group stages, the French got their act together in the quarter-final victory over the English. Their attacking brilliance pretty much ended the game as a contest within the first twenty minutes. But then the French got lucky again in the semi-finals after a nervous scrappy winning over a fourteen man Welsh team. Some would say the French didn't deserve their place in the final, but having got there, the French will come into the Six Nations full of confidence.
The World Cup also saw Thierry Dusautoir step forward as a great leader of the French team. Despite the clear issues between management and players, Dusautoir was able to lead his team by example through his own fabulous displays. The French will come into the tournament with an established back line after they came of age at the World Cup. Clerc, Medard, Yachvili and the evergreen Rougerie will surely by certainties for a starting place. The pack is also an experienced unit which will allow for new coach Philippe Saint-Andre to bring in some fresh blood. Exciting wing, Wesley Fofana looks like he will be given the opportunity to shine during this tournament. Saint-Andre will have to choose between Trinh-Duc and Parra for the number 10 jersey, but this experienced French side will have a good chance of going for the grand slam if they can consistently perform. With home games against England and Ireland, the trip to Cardiff on the final week of the Six Nations should prove to be the toughest challenge to the French this year.
Predicted Finish: 1st
World Ranking: 5
Coach: Stuart Lancaster
Captain: Chris Robshaw
England will be a completely unknown entity in the Six Nations this year. After a massively disappointing World Cup, England brought in the whole sale changes. The old guard was pushed out, and even the inspirational World Cup winning captain Martin Johnson was ousted from his position as coach. England brought in Stuart Lancaster as interim coach, and appointed Chris Robshaw, a veteran of one cap, as captain. Nine of the squad chosen by Lancaster and his staff are debutants meaning that England will have a very fresh, inexperienced team. Who knows whether the young talent can gel straight away and provide a winning formula. Obviously England are looking beyond the Six Nations with this squad, which could mean that results could be hard to come by.
There is no doubt however that there is plenty of talent in this England squad. Foden and Ashton remain from the World Cup, and with Owen Farrell and Brad Barritt in midfield, England have a potentially explosive back line. Palmer, Croft and Wood will all look to shine, as they have the experience at this level, but look out for number 8 Ben Morgan to make a big impact. England will obviously hope to beat the Scots and the Italians, but a tough trip to France will prove a difficult challenge. Home games to Wales and Ireland will determine how successful this Six Nations campaign will be.
Predicted Finish: 4th
World Ranking: 6
Coach: Declan Kidney
Captain: Paul O'Connell
Without talismanic leader Brian O'Driscoll, Ireland will have a challenge on their hands this Six Nations. Obviously Paul O'Connell is the first choice to replace O'Driscoll as he is a natural leader, and is also captain of Munster. However, the usually tight knit back line now has a gaping hole in it. No-one can fill the boots of BOD, and it seems Keith Earls will be given the responsibility of doing so. The other talking point will be that Johnny Sexton seems to have made the fly half position his own over long term inhabitant, Ronan O'Gara. O'Gara will still provide plenty of impetus from the bench. The experience that runs through the whole team will give Ireland an excellent chance of winning the Six Nations. Excuses will no longer be tolerated for this Irish team.
The Irish will undoubtedly still be bitter after their exit at the World Cup at the hands of the Welsh. Payback will be on the mind as the Irish welcome the Welsh to the Aviva Stadium in week one. However, the Welsh are a confident bunch, and will provide a tough opposition. The visit to Paris in week two will be a massive game which will determine whether Ireland can mount a challenge at the Six Nations crown. And of course the Irish record at Twickenham is abysmal, but with England going through a redevelopment process, Ireland will be confident of victory.
Predicted Finish: 3rd
World Ranking: 8
Coach: Warren Gatland
Captain: Sam Warburton
It is hard to pick a problem with the Welsh team. Their display at the World Cup was nothing short of marvellous, and they showed they were the ultimate professionals. After a tough time in the years leading up to the World Cup, everything came together when it mattered. The Welsh can count themselves very unfortunate not to reach the World Cup Final after a brave performance against the French in the semi-finals. Much of that team remains for this Six Nations. The obvious exception being the now retired legend that is Shane Williams. Williams has left Wales in a great position, and they should be considered as serious contenders for the crown.
Rhys Priestland proved to be a revelation at the World Cup, and George North developed into a real talent throughout the tournament. Young Sam Warburton also showed that he can lead his nation whilst playing at the height of his abilities. Jamie Roberts is still one of the most underrated players on the world stage, and number 8 Toby Faletau has all the talent a back rower needs. Even though the Welsh lost to Australia in the Autumn, they should come into this tournament with plenty of belief. Croke Park and Twickenham will be a tough test for Wales, but with all their other games at home, the Welsh have a real chance.
Predicted Finish: 2nd
World Ranking: 10
Coach: Andy Robinson
Captain: Ross Ford
Scotland are always a difficult one to predict. They are extremely inconsistent, however one thing remains constant, Scotland can't score tries. The Scottish came so close to turning a disappointing World Cup campaign into a very successful one. Two narrow losses against the English and Argentina broke Scottish hearts. Scotland though have an established team which will look to try and fulfil the potential that it has shown over the last couple of years. The Lamont brothers remain Scotland's creative outlet, but a reliable fly half is what Scotland is crying out for. Dan Parks can be great, but he can be distinctly average the next day. The Scottish arguably boast the best front row, and with Richie Gray, Alasdair Strokosch and new sensation David Denton, Scotland also boast an extremely talented and able group of forwards.
Scotland however never seem to get a run of wins together. They are more than capable of an upset, particularly against the English in week one at Murrayfield, but their inability to score tries will cripple them when it counts most. Tough trips to Wales and Ireland will make it difficult for the Scots to get many positive results this year. Home games against England and France will also be a big ask for the Scots, but the biggest game will come against the Italians in Rome. The trip to Italy takes place in the last week, and once again could ultimately decide the wooden spoon. Scotland could do well, but inconsistency will prove costly.
Predicted Finish: 5th
World Ranking: 12
Coach: Jacques Brunel
Captain: Sergio Parisse
Italy had a mixed 2011 Six Nations. The World Cup was once again fruitless for the Azzurri as they failed to get out of the group stage again. Granted, their performances were much better than in previous attempts, but after another seemingly poor Six Nations, a superb victory over the French in Rome brought some joy for the Italians long suffering fans. Italy have never been able to kick on from any sort of decent performances. Sergio Parisse continues to be Italy's outstanding player and he will no doubt be the X-factor in this Italian team. New coach Jacques Brunel will bring his own touch to the team, so expect a few new faces for the upcoming tournament.
Don't expect the Italians to receive too many hammering's, but at the same time don't expect too many shocks. Victory at home to Scotland will be Italy's best chance of victory. Trips to France, Ireland and Wales will surely be too much for this new Italian team, but if England don't beat Scotland in week one, Italy will have a good chance of an upset in Rome in week two. Italy's sole objective will be to avoid yet another wooden spoon.
Predicted Finish: 6th
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