The 2018 Six Nations gets underway on Saturday the 3rd of February and this year's edition promises to be an absolute epic.
Following another scintillating past few months of European club rugby action, attention now turns to the upcoming Six Nations Championship.
With the 2019 Japan World Cup just a little over 18-months away, the tournament gives each of the northern nations the chance to refine their games ahead of the global showpiece and iron out any chinks that may still exist in their armour.
Although Eddie Jones’ England will have their sights squarely set on achieving a three-peat of titles, Joe Schmidt’s Ireland may just have something to say come the tournament finale. Indeed, it wouldn’t be too much of a stretch to suggest that their Round Five clash at Twickenham may just end up deciding the title. The date of the encounter? Oh… just St. Patrick’s Day, of course!
Elsewhere, dark horses Scotland will be quietly confident of claiming a first title since the turn of the century, while the likes of the once-mighty Wales and France will be tasked with restoring some long-lost pride. Italy, on the other hand, will want to put themselves in a position to avoid securing a hat-trick of wooden spoons by claiming at least one win by the time the tournament concludes in mid-March.
To Win Outright
England 15/20 | Ireland 5/2 | Wales 10/1 | France 12/1 | Scotland 12/1 | Italy 1000/1
England
The two-time defending champions will head into their most arduous campaign in quite some time, with their fellow competitors more hell-bent than ever of knocking them off their high horse. Wily coach Jones, has seen and done it all before and will no doubt have some clever tricks up his sleeve to ensure his England side stays one-step ahead of the rest.
Their pragmatic, uber-physical approach has been something that every member of Eddie’s playing group has bought into and which has yielded huge success over the past two seasons. Couple that with a tremendously settled squad, one which includes a host of Test match Lions, and it’s hard not to reaffirm the viewpoint that, once again, this really is England’s tournament to lose.
Player to Watch: George Ford
Leicester’s flyhalf hasn’t been at his breath-taking best in quite some time and this may well prove to be a watershed season for the 24-year-old. With the young Marcus Smith on the rise, Ford would do well to recapture the form that made him 2011’s U20 Player of the Year.
Ireland
Everyone’s second-favourite team has reached new heights under the shrewd stewardship of Joe Schmidt. The 52-year-old Kiwi won two Six Nations-titles in his first two full seasons with Ireland and it appears that the much-loved former Leinster boss seems to have ushered in a bright new dawn for the Celtic nation. That said, after two trophyless campaigns, Schmidt will be in for his toughest season to date in trying to wrestle the title away from England.
Considering the young talent at Schmidt’s disposal heading into this season’s edition, one would struggle to acknowledge any valid reason as to why Ireland cannot maintain their status as a world-class side for the foreseeable future. Jordan Larmour, Jacob Stockdale and Joey Carbery are but a few of the names of Ireland’s future up-and-comers list, all of whom are under 22-years of age… and that’s just in the back three! Even if Schmidt can’t give all his younglings an opportunity, he still has the luxury of calling upon a plethora of international veterans. The men from the 'Emerald Isle' are in a very healthy position indeed.
Player to Watch: Robbie Henshaw
Henshaw has been utterly brilliant for Leinster this season and will feel he has a point to prove after missing the Lions’ Test series against the All Blacks due to an injury sustained against the Wellington Hurricanes. Possessing an astute footballing brain and a pugnacious attitude on defence, 2018 may well be the year Henshaw announces himself as a world-class international centre.
Scotland
Gregor Townsend looks set to continue the upward trajectory of the Scottish national side after having had the baton handed down by Vern Cotter, and, if his side’s performances in November are anything to go by, they should revel in the tag of “dark horses” this tournament. That record win over Australia, which succeeded an agonisingly close 22-17 loss to New Zealand, has ensured that Scotland are bound to stake a proper claim to a first title triumph since 1999.
Possibly the most intriguing aspect surrounding the lead-up to Scotland’s campaign involves regular skipper Greig Laidlaw. The Clermont Auvergne-scrumhalf has been absent from the national line-up for going on a year now, and the rise and rise of Ali Price will give Townsend and his coaching staff much food for thought. No matter who ends up starting, Scotland’s number nine will unquestionably have a huge role to play, particularly in the make-or-break Tests against England and Ireland.
Player to Watch: Jonny Gray
Gray’s outstanding club showings this season have helped power his Glasgow Warriors side to the summit of the Pro14 standings. With an insatiable appetite on defence and a tireless work rate, the 1.98m no-nonsense second rower will be one of Townsend’s go-to men as the 'Scots attempt an unlikely assault on the title.
Wales
It’s been quite some time since the Welsh put together a string of consistent blue-chip performances and, unfortunately for Dragons fans, nothing looks set to change anytime soon. Currently languishing in seventh on the World Rugby rankings, the 2012 and 2013 back-to-back champions may be experiencing a degree of staleness under the Warren Gatland regime and, while the Kiwi may have been absent during the 2017 campaign - due to his British Lions commitments) - the Welsh Rugby Union probably missed a trick in extending his contract through to the end of the next World Cup, as new blood seems needed.
Nevertheless, the Welsh are a proud nation with a rich rugby history and they will always pose a threat in the confines of the Principality Stadium. While they are unlikely to better the likes of England and Ireland this term, their most crucial Tests will undoubtedly come against the Scottish and French, both of whom they will face in Cardiff in the first and final rounds respectively.
Player to Watch: Justin Tipuric
Despite having endured a rotten run of injuries throughout his career, Tipuric has remained a key player for Gatland’s Welsh and Lions sides in the past. With Taulupe Faletau set to miss the opening rounds and Sam Warburton ruled out entirely, Tipuric will have an even greater role to play in the loose trio this campaign.
France
After yet another depressingly dismal season under Guy Novès, the former Toulouse-man’s time finally ran out when it was announced in December that Jacques Brunel would take up the post as France head coach with immediate effect. Brunel will take the French to the next World Cup despite accepting what has proven to be a “poisoned chalice” of late, but the jury is still out as to whether he will be able to improve on some lacklustre performances over the past few seasons. When one considers the state of the national team at present, you’d be forgiven for having your doubts.
In light of the limited preparation time he has been afforded, Brunel may be granted the benefit of the doubt from his bosses no matter the results he achieves in the coming months. In Brunel’s unique case, fortune would certainly favour the brave, and hence a few bold selection calls may go a long way to achieving long-term success. Recalling Morgan Parra would be a start, with his wealth of experience and natural talent sure to benefit France as they attempt to negotiate this season’s heavy-hitters.
Player to Watch: Damian Penaud
France’s 21-year-old superstar may have missed out on World Rugby’s Breakthrough Player of the Year award to Rieko Ioane, but there is no doubting the fact that Penaud has all the makings of a future Great. The dexterous centre was phenomenal in his Clermont side’s 46-14 annihilation of Saracens in December and will add real value to a French brand lacking in attacking exuberance.
Italy
Connor O’Shea enters his second Six Nations campaign as Italy gaffer with much to ponder. His side’s remarkable 20-18 win over South Africa in November of 2016 was supposed to mark the beginning of an upward trend... sadly, the Italians have since lost 11 of their last 12-outings in all. Coupled with their poor form, many have pointed to Georgia’s steady improvement of late as further reason to include the Eurasian nation in the tournament at the Italian’s expense.
A win or two this campaign would be immense for the Azzurri as they attempt to sidestep another sixth-place finish. Unfortunately for them, the Test matches they had the best chances of winning – against the skittish Welsh and French – will both be played away. O’Shea’s men really will have to dig deep if they are to put an end to their uncertain future in the competition by picking up a win or two.
Player to Watch: Carlo Canna
Zebre’s 25-year-old flyhalf has been a mainstay in the Italian side for some time now and offers an ever-present calming influence at first-receiver. His accuracy off the kicking-tee may prove vital if the Azzurri are to claim a slender victory this campaign.
Verdict: England 15/20
Eddie Jones is a canny campaigner and I’m backing him to mastermind a third-straight England win in the tournament; the quality of their opposition may mean no Grand Slam, however.
Ireland should pip Scotland to second in a straight-shoot out, while Wales and France will finish fourth and fifth respectively.
I foresee another humdrum Italian campaign, and they should once again finish rock-bottom.