Almost time for Rugby Six Nations to kick off again – and you thought the World Cup had just ended! Well, funnily enough, it has, but we’re in for a bit of a treat as six heavyweights get ready to face off once again. There’ll be plenty of neighbours from the southern hemisphere looking on with envy. You see, the Six Nations is to New Zealand and Australia what the Commonwealth Games are to America; a period of upset suffocated with feelings of ‘this is bullshit – we could do this.’ But enough about them – they’re not involved (thank Christ). Who looks good and what are the fixtures? Can Ireland claim a third in a row or can Scotland, fresh from a promising World Cup run, cause a boil over? Can Wales count on their squad to avoid the injuries that have so plagued them, and which now look like being Italy’s downfall? See it all below, in alphabetical order of course…
England
Can Eddie Jones’s England squad put a disastrous showing at the World Cup, on home soil, behind them and get something from this tournament to restore their pride? The new coach has made it clear it will be his team, with changes coming where he sees fit, so it will be interesting to see the feel of the side that comes out against old foes Scotland in Round 1. Captain Dylan Hartley will be one to watch closely. He’s received criticism, perhaps rightly so, for his disciplinary record, so fans will be hoping he contains himself in that regard. If Jones can instil the discipline in this team that he did with Japan, than England could well hope to go further than the second place they achieved last time.
Fixtures
- Scotland (A)
- Italy (A)
- Ireland (H)
- Wales (H)
- France (A)
FRANCE
Where to for Les Bleus following a similarly drastic World Cup? They were trounced 62-13 by the Champions, and looked a shadow of the powerhouse they used to be. After a dreadful period with coach Philippe Saint-Andre, they have appointed Guy Noves who immediately set about changing the squad, bringing in a raft of new players. Following his eventual departure from Toulouse, can the new head deliver something special? Our thoughts are no.
Fixtures
- Italy (H)
- Ireland (H)
- Wales (A)
- Scotland (A)
- England (H)
IRELAND
Can they do it? This squad is going for an unprecedented third straight title, but they’re up against it. Wales look solid with everyone fit and Scotland are in good form, whilst Ireland themselves have some big outs. Peter O’Mahony and Iain Henderson are out for the full stretch, plus Mike Ross, Cian Healy and Marty Moore are all notable absentees from the training ground. Tough call, but they might just get there.
Fixtures
- Wales (H)
- France (A)
- England (A)
- Italy (H)
- Scotland (H)
ITALY
The Azzuri are yet to claim even a third place finish since being brought into the fold of Six Nations in 2000. That doesn’t look like changing this year, with injuries and an ageing squad just two of their issues. For Italy to see any success, they’ll need big turnouts from talisman Sergio Parisse and scrum-half Edoardo Gori.
Fixtures
- France (A)
- England (H)
- Scotland (H)
- Ireland (A)
- Wales (A)
SCOTLAND
Vern Cotter almost did the unthinkable last year. Scotland were one bad penalty decision away from beating Australia and going through to the semi-final of the World Cup. Nevertheless, once they got over that – which come to think of it they may never – they could look back at what was a surprisingly positive run and one that has a lot of people naming them the dark horse of 2016. It’s maybe too far to say they’ll win it, but if England and France carry on their form, Ireland fall away and Wales get a few injuries… Who knows?
Fixtures
- England (H)
- Wales (A)
- Italy (A)
- France (H)
- Ireland (A)
WALES
With all that said, Wales come into this campaign with a full, settled squad. Whilst they’d not have asked for it, the injury ravaged World Cup might just help them here, with those players not having gruelled their way through that tournament and instead being fit and raring to go for the Six Nations. A repeat of last years final day is looking likely, with Wales hoping to go one better against their green enemies.
Fixtures
- Ireland (A)
- Scotland (H)
- France (H)
- England (A)
- Italy (H)
Tournament Betting Odds at Betfair
Outright Winner
- England: 13/8
- Wales: 11/4
- Ireland: 10/3
- France: 11/2
- Scotland: 14/1
- Italy: 400/1
Grand Slam
- No Winner: 8/13
- England: 7/2
- Wales: 8/1
- Ireland: 9/1
- France: 10/1
- Scotland: 50/1
- Italy: 1000/1
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