The phoney war is about to end, and we will be getting down to the action in the Six Nations this weekend. Get ready for the usual rollercoaster ride of emotions, upsets and heartbreaks before one team emerges triumphant. It is the biggest annual prize in the game and something, as a player, you never forget when you win it.
Everyone has been asking me who do I think is going to win the title. I haven't got a clue! If last year's championship was the toughest to call, then this time it is even harder. Add in the fact it is the start of a World Cup year and that adds even extra spice. So, here are my thoughts on the teams given in the order they finished last season.
FRANCE
What a year it was for Fabien Galthie's side in 2022. They went through the year unbeaten in their 10 Tests and are currently on a winning streak of 13 games. I'd expect that to rise to 14 when they open against Italy, but it won't be easy for them to repeat their Grand Slam of last year. In skipper Antonie Dupont they have one of the best players in the world, and the best scrum half around. His tactical acumen in partnership with Romain Ntamack is key to French chances of potentially completing the first back-to-back Grand Slams since England in 1991 and 1992. In the 23 years of the Six Nations there have been only five occurrences of back-toback title wins. The performances of the Top 14 clubs in Europe have been patchy. Racing 92 were below par, Toulouse were as powerful as ever and Montpellier struggled, being beaten twice by the Ospreys and Leicester Tigers. They need to settle on a full back, hope that Damien Penaud is fully fit and get their forwards playing as cohesively as they did last year. Certainly, the team to beat!
IRELAND
No.1 in the world rankings, based around a Leinster team that hasn't been beaten all season and looking to use this championship as springboard to dive into a title-winning World Cup campaign. Inspirational skipper Johnny Sexton, below, will be fit to start, although he hasn't played much of late. He is their puppet master and even at 37 – two months older than Alun Wyn Jones – remains a vital ingredient in their make-up. Without him, things will be much harder for them. Ross Byrne has been a great stand-in at Leinster when he has been resting or recovering from injury, but he is no Sexton. The Leinster scrum has suffered a little bit, of late, although that has been without Tadhg Furlong. To go all the way this year they will need him to stay fit and strong.Teams might go after them a bit in the tight, but the key to stopping them is to slow down their ball. Justin Tipuric, Jac Morgan and Tommy Reffell will get first dibs on that massive task when they meet in Cardiff. Andy Farrell has done a phenomenal job as head coach and what a platform he has laid for the Irish to aim at winning the World Cup.
ENGLAND
New coach, new beginnings, no chance! They have too many walking card machines – Ellis Genge, Kyle Sinckler and Owen Farrell to name but a few – and won't have enough time to implement Steve Borthwick's playbook. That is likely to be straight off the field at Welford Road and it looks as though a number of teams this season have caught up with the plans that carried Tigers to the Premiership title last season. Tom Curry is a huge loss to them, although his twin brother Ben looks to be a bit of a clone. I love the look of Freddie Steward at full-back, but just hope they look to do a little bit more than get Manu Tuilagi to stuff the ball up his jumper. England could be such an exciting side if they shed a bit of their macho image. Always tough to beat, I just don't think anyone will fear them. Let's see how the Scots do against them on the opening Saturday.
No Jonny Gray to start with, and on-going concerns about Stuart Hogg's match fitness, are two problems for Gregor Townsend. Then there is the perennial issue of how will the coach get on, or get through to, his No.10, Finn Russell. Mercurial and mesmeric in one moment, maddening in the next. If he can provide more of the former and less of the latter, then they could be dark horses this season. They have much greater strength in depth these days than in the past, but four third place finishes in 23 years is a pretty meagre return for such a proud and competitive rugby nation. You have to go back to 1999, and the last season of Five Nations rugby, for their last title and another nine years, to 1990, for the second of their three Grand Slams. Time for them to front up and get into the mix – starting at Twickenham. I'm sure Jamie Ritchie will be whipping his men up in true Braveheart spirit, but they just need to be cool, calm and calculated in their approach. They are capable of playing some great rugby, but it needs to be more error free.
WALES
Warren Gatland is back! His return has lifted the mood, as well as the results and performances, in Welsh rugby, but now things get serious. His side hasn't kicked a ball yet and couldn't have asked for a harder start than to face Ireland – other than it is 10 years since they won in Cardiff in the Championship! This is going to be the biggest test of Gats' coaching career and after the first round he will have some idea of how big a miracle he has to perform this year. The loss of Gareth Anscombe, Louis Rees-Zammit and Dewi Lake are considerable blows, while the return to form, and to the squad, of Rhys Webb is a major boost. Who does he pick in the back row to start alongside Taulupe Faletau? Justin Tipuric, Tommy Reffell and Jac Morgan are all in fantastic form, but three into two doesn't go. Is the front five strong enough to go toe-to-toe with the bigger packs and is there the guile or confidence to play a more open and expansive game? It is going to be fascinating how he opts to set-up and what game plan he starts with. Principality Stadium is going to be a white-hot cauldron of expectancy on February 4.
ITALY
The Azzurri enjoyed a stunning end to last season's Championship with that first win in Cardiff against Wales. Then they went and lost to Georgia! Consistency is what they need to find having broken their seven year long, 36 game losing streak in the tournament with that famous 22-21 victory in the Welsh capital. The problem is they launch their 2023 campaign against the reigning champions. The good news for their coach Kieron Crowley is that outside-half Paolo Garbisi, below, has been declared fit. In Ange Capuozzo they have the World Rugby breakthrough player of 2022 – and the maker of the try of the year to win the game against Wales. There are enough forwards from a very tough Benetton pack to provide quality possession to utilise. They just need to make better decisions and play with a bit more conviction. Nobody is going to suggest they will leave the basement section of the table, but they are more of a banana skin these days than they were in the past. They did for Wayne Pivac last year, let's see if they can put the skids under another coach this season.
Pick a winner out of that lot! For me, the champions will be the team that keep their cool, keep 15 men on the field as long as possible and conjure up the most exciting, all-court game plan. Sit back and enjoy!
