The Six Nations is just around the corner and, with it, the chance to see if England can recover from last season's poor form. Can Scotland finally make that long-awaited push for the title? And can Wales retain their crown? Of course, it's a little early to make outright predictions since we have the Autumn internationals to get through first. Nevertheless, here's an early doors first glance at the 2022 Six Nations.
France are the bookies' favourite for the title this year and it's hard to argue with that prediction. Les Bleus lost out on the Championship last time around with that final day loss to Scotland. Scotland have been making good progress but let's be honest, no one expected anything less than a win from the French.
That said, they did beat the champions just a week earlier and genuinely look like title contenders this time around. Guess we'll have to see how they fare with injuries and form in the upcoming internationals before we make that final prediction.
England
An extremely shoddy performance in the last Six Nations championship saw England finish 5th with a negative points difference. This was the stuff of nightmares for all England fans and especially Eddie Jones. However, they're now a team with a point to prove and are second favourites behind France to finish top of the heap.
Eddie Jones has been backed by the RFU to help the team recover from last season's anomaly and we expect nothing less than a barnstorming performance for each and every match. Yes, France may be favourites, but you can't rule out England.
Ireland are a strange entity. Much like Scotland, you never know which Ireland is going to show up on the day. They're a strong side and Andy Farrell is making a big effort to bring new blood into the squad which should see the team do well in the coming years.
This year, however, may come a little too soon for some. Ireland will certainly cause some upsets and could have a major say in who wins the championship. But we don't think they'll be winning it this year.
Wales
Interestingly, the sports betting experts at Betway Sports have Wales as 6/1 (7.00) 4th favourites to win the championship. Given the squad's potential, those are impressive early odds as we have a feeling that Wales are likely to upset the bookies come March next year.
The very idea that the current champions could finish in fourth place seems ridiculous in the extreme, but this is likely more to do with the fact that the French loom strong and England are smarting after a very poor showing last time out. Ireland are a positive looking side, but we can't see Wales finishing below the Irish no matter what the bookies say.
Scotland
Scotland showed so much promise last season, beating England and France in the Six Nations for the first time in what feels like forever. While Ireland are a ‘nearly there' side, Scotland are a work in progress that you feel may take another season or two.
Once again, we expect the Scots to have a major part to play and their results will definitely affect the overall standings. But like Ireland, they may not have enough in the tank to go the full distance.
Italy
The also-rans that are mostly there to make up the numbers. There's not a lot that can be said about Italy that hasn't been said before. Even by their own standards, they were very poor last season failing to score a point for the third season in a row.
This year, the goal is to simply be more competitive, score a few tries, and perhaps pick up a point or two along the way. Much the same as every year then.
The fixtures
Week 1
Ireland v Wales — Saturday, Feb 5, Dublin
Scotland v England — Saturday Feb 5, Edinburgh
France v Italy — Sunday, Feb 6, Paris
Week 2
Wales v Scotland — Saturday, Feb 12, Cardiff
France v Ireland — Saturday, Feb 12, Paris
Italy v England — Sunday, Feb 13, Rome
Week 3
Scotland v France — Saturday, Feb 26, Edinburgh
England v Wales — Saturday, Feb 26, Twickenham
Ireland v Italy — Sunday, Feb 27, Dublin
Week 4
Wales v France — Friday, March 11, Cardiff
Italy v Scotland — Saturday, March 12, Rome
England v Ireland — Saturday, March 12, Twickenham
Week 5
Wales v Italy — Saturday, March 19, Cardiff
Ireland v Scotland — Saturday, March 19, Dublin
France v England — Saturday, March 19, Paris
Where to watch
Thankfully, all that talk of the Six Nations going behind a paywall from 2022 was just gossip. The BBC and ITV have agreed to renew their deals for four years up until the end of the 2025 season. This means that the championship which has been free to air since 2003 will continue to be so for the foreseeable future.
