We've seen the Six Nations teams in action in France in the concluded Rugby World Cup, and based on form, it provides an early indication of how the Six Nations 2024 will span out.
It was a disappointment for the heavyweights in the six nations, France, Ireland, and England, to bow out of the tournament without making yet another final. Still, it is about moving forward and taking the learnings.
France's performance in the World Cup was forceful, as they showed the world that they had ample attacking power, even in the dying stages of the game. For the fans who purchase tickets from trusted reseller platforms such as Seatsnet, seeing the exit of France in the quarterfinals was heartbreaking.
Almost all of the world expected this French team to go all the way, but the Springboks proved to be a better side on the day.
In terms of attacking play, Les Bleus was impressive during the World Cup, scoring a total of 238 points. Damian Penaud, in particular, stood out with six tries and was the second-highest try scorer behind New Zealand's Will Jordon, who scored 8.
With this display, France are favorites to win the Six Nations in 2024. But, Ireland are a close favorite.
Ireland came to the World Cup as the #1 ranked side to end their quarterfinal curse, but eventually lost to the All Blacks. To rectify their misery in the World Cup, the Irish will be all out to retain their Six Nations title.
The competition between France and Ireland is likely intense, making it hard to predict a Grand Slam winner or overall champion.
However, experts are currently favoring France.
For England, the predictions are to finish third, with Scotland in fourth. Warren Gatland's Wales are expected to complete fifth.
This calculation is solely based on the performance and the points from the World Cup and can change over the next few months.
One Last Hurrah for Wales & Six Nations Legends!
The upcoming fixture between Wales and the Barbarians at the Principality Stadium will be the last time the world will see the three legendary Wales players – Alun Wyn Jones, Justin Tipuric, and Leigh Halfpenny on the field.
While they wouldn't be sporting the traditional Welsh red, it would be a whirlpool of emotions for the fans and players, reflecting on the illustrious careers these players have left behind.
The three of them have 352 Welsh caps and 17 British And Irish Lions appearances. As the rugby world prepares for life after the Rugby World Cup, the Barbarians game is an excellent opportunity for Wales coach Warren Gatland to look at the team for the Six Nations in 2024.
In previous years, Wales were the dark horses in the Rugby World Cup, but they've consistently failed to make it beyond a quarterfinal in the recent editions.
This year was no different, as they lost out to a robust Argentinian side 29-17. While many fans from Wales were already making their reservations on Seatsnet for a possible semifinal, Wales did not have the firepower in the bench to hold a dominant Argentine side.
In professional sports, sentiment often takes a back seat to future planning. Gatland focuses squarely on the future, where he is looking to build a team for the next four years, in line with the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
While the Barbarians fixtures coincide with the URC (United Rugby Championship) matches, the game also is essential to bring in additional revenue for Wales Rugby.
Gatland said this fixture needs players to seize the opportunity to show they deserve a spot in the Six Nations team.
Gatland's style of coaching is all about recognition of talent over seniority and past achievements. He's always prioritized players who've shown resilience.
The Barbarians, known for their expansive and attacking style of rugby, are expected to bring an entertaining contest to Principality Stadium.
As the match unfolds, fans at the Principality will witness a thrilling display of rugby, filled with exciting tries and a few emotional moments.
With the final whistle, it will be official – we will not see Jones, Tipuric, or Halfpenny back on the rugby field.
Hype Train for Six Nations Already In
With the fixtures for the Guinness Six Nations Champion already announced, rugby fans have a new tournament to look forward to after the World Cup. The fixtures promise a thrilling competition and a chance for Ireland and France to redeem themselves after their disappointment in the World Cup.
The Six Nations Championship traditionally features England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales, and these teams compete in a round-robin format.
The fixtures comprise a series of games, with each team expected to play against each other over five weeks.
The matches are played at iconic stadiums and showcase the highest level of rugby in Europe. With the Olympics in Paris next year, the French games will now be played in new venues, adding more extravaganza to the whole event.
In the UK, it will be the BBC and ITV that will co-telecast.
The S4C will provide the live telecast in Welsh language options. For France, it will France Television and RTE and Virgin Media have the rights in Ireland.
Marlie Packer – Women's 15's Player of the Year
Marlie Packer of the England women's team was honored with the title World Rugby Women's 15s Player of the Year after she headed England to an undefeated 2023 season.
This recognition comes for Packer after England's loss in the Rugby World Cup final to the Black Ferns. Building from the loss, the Red Roses went on to win the TikTok Women's Six Nations and won the inaugural WXV 1 competition.
Packer was an outstanding performer in the back row and beat notable players, including her teammate Abby Dow and France's Gabrielle Vernier, as well as New Zealand's Ruahei Demant.
Packer was quick to emphasize the importance of her teammates in achieving this award, stating that she couldn't perform her job without them. She rates her team as the pillars of her achievements and emphasizes that it is a collective effort.
The Women's Six Nations is a trendy fixture in the rugby season, and trusted ticket resellers such as Seatsnet have several requests nearing match days for tickets. The 2024 edition will kick off in March next year and will conclude in late April.
