WALES AND LIONS LEGEND
In 34 days' time the 2022 Six Nations will kick-off and I can't wait to see what happens. It promises to be the most competitive competition for some time. Just try to pick a winner!
The Irish will be thinking this is their chance to shine after piling on 50 points against Argentina and then completely dominating the All Blacks in the autumn Tests. They'll be my favourites… just!
Wales will go into the tournament looking to defend the title they won in 2021. That came on top of a Grand Slam in 2019. The Championship in between was hampered by the first wave of Covid, but you'd be a fool to write them off.
The French also beat New Zealand in another impressive autumn and seem to be building nicely towards their home World Cup in 2023. Toulouse won the Champions Cup last season to underline their resurgence and a first title since 2010 would be a warning to the rest of the world. Can you believe they haven't won the Championship in the past 11 seasons?
Another nation on the rise are the Scots who, like Wales, picked off Australia in the autumn. Full of confidence, crammed with exciting players and with a pack to be reckoned with at last, they could be the surprise package of the tournament. They have never won the Six Nations title and key to any success will be retaining the Calcutta Cup in their opening game against England at Murrayfield.
Eddie Jones' side beat the world champion Springboks in their last outing in November and will surely come into the competition on a real high as a result. Eddie threw some big names out and introduced some young guns last year to build his strength in depth ahead of 2023. With a title up for grabs, will he go for youth or experience, power or precision in his selection?
The Italians have lost their last 32 games in the Championship and face a daunting start with trips to Paris and Dublin surrounding a home clash in Rome with England. You have to go back to February 28, 2015 for their last victory – against Scotland at Murrayfield. They can only get better and have been doing so on the club front.
The Covid complications over the festive period have been good and bad for the international coaches. On the one hand they have given players a chance to rest and overcome any niggles, while on the other they have missed a lot of competitive action. Will they be rusty by the time they get to next month's big kick-off ?
I doubt that will be the case. From my experience of being involved with Wales at this time of year the training sessions can be so competitive and intense that you go into the Championship very well prepared.
Physically, I don't think any of the players will have a problem reaching a peak, but mentally it might be difficult. If any of the games have to be played in empty stadia once again that might well take its toll. rent Covid situation must be playing on the minds of the players. Yesterday was the first time the Scarlets had played since October and matches across all nations have been dropping like flies.
“We don't want to see the leather being kicked off the ball and the title won by driving lineouts”
My biggest concern is that we might not have full-houses for some of the games. That would be awful.
Going from a club bubble to an international bubble can also be tricky because it means more time spent away from home and in a hotel environment. It is all very well saying the players are merely doing what they are paid to do, but they are also human beings who crave the normal level of social interaction with their family and friends.
It will be the teams that manage to create the best social environment during the Championship, and the ones who lose the fewest players to Covid, who will come through in the end. All of a sudden it is not merely the try-scoring wings, hard-carrying forwards and goal-kicking experts who will be the The unpredictability of the curmost influential characters, the ‘entertainment officers' within the squads, as well as the sports psychologists, will be key to success.
Should we expect a 12th Grand Slam in the 23rd edition of the Six Nations? I think it is unlikely given the current status of all the teams. Wales can boast four, France three and England and Ireland two each. The way the fixtures fall can make a difference, with seven of the 11 Slams to date coming when teams have had three home games instead of two, but momentum is the most vital component.
Can Wales win in Dublin on the opening day? That is going to be their toughest test of the tournament and, at this stage, it is difficult to see anything but a home win.
England in Edinburgh? I'm going to sit on the fence on that one.
The critical clash in Round 2 will be Ireland's trip to Paris. Who will come out on top in the battle between the two most recent slayers of the All Blacks? By then we should have a better insight into who is going to carry off the title.
But while winning is important, thrilling the fans is also paramount. We don't want to see the leather being kicked off the ball and the title won by driving lineouts. There are some magnificent players in every team and we want to see them express themselves and take a few risks.
If the head coaches could make a joint New Year's resolution to add some thrills and spills to the customary drama and excitement, then I for one would be delighted.
I want to see the new England fullback Freddie Seward having a gallop, Wales wing Louis Rees-Zammit taking on his Scottish rival Duhan van der Merwe, Irish lock Taidhg Beirne vying with Scotland Hamish Watson to be king of the turnovers and World Rugby's player of 2021, French scrum-half Antoine Dupont continuing to do things that amaze us all.
Bring on the 2022 Six Nations!
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