Six nations starts in 11 days, exciting times. I've run my eye over the recently announced squads and given my very unqualified opinion on how far they'll go.
France
My personal favourite NH team. Dark horse to win the competition, new coach in Fabien Galthie has thrown out all the oldies from the team, going with an incredibly young team, definitely both eyes on RWC2023 (in France!). Gone are Lopez, Medard, Huget and Slimani. New captain in Charles Ollivon who is a handy flanker. I’m going to say it that France has the most exciting & dangerous backline in the NH and potentially the world. Youngsters in the halves in Dupont and Ntamack who have a devastating combination for Toulouse right now. It’s unclear who will be the starting 10. Normally Ntamack would be a shoe-in, but there are another two very talented young flyhalves in Jalibert and Carbonel. Jalibert has been playing a lot of 15 and Ntamack is useful at 12, so it is possible to see all three in the team. Throw in arguably the most damaging player in the Top 14, Vakatawa and two great wingers in Teddy Thomas and Damian Penaud, they have a such talent. I think Galthie will play it a bit safer, retain the Dupont-Ntamack axis probably with this:
9. Dupont 10. Ntamack 11. Penaud 12. Fickou 13. Vakatawa 14. Thomas 15. Ramos 23. Jalibert
Finally in the forwards, they have a man who is either all neck or no neck, Camille Chat at hooker who is brilliant and Sekou is another young flanker from Stade Francais in the mould of Dusautoir. Very exciting for France right now, probably a year too early to win the Six Nations, but they could easily go all the way.
England
Doesn’t seem to be much of a legacy plan for no. 8 or scrumhalf. Mako is out with a broken arm and there are no other specialist 8s named. And the two scrummies in Willie Heinz and Ben Youngs are 33 and 30 respectively. Will probably win the competition by being boring and now all the Sarries have nothing else to focus on but the Six Nations. I am excited for Jacob Umaga, the young flyhalf, nephew of Tana. Looks to be pretty talented.
Ireland
New coach, new squad, same Sexton. Don’t watch much Irish rugby but Jack O’Donoghue will be a useful backrower for years to come when they finally decide to stop picking PO’M & Stander. Apart from that seems that their outside backs will continue to get stronger.
Wales
New coach, Constable Wayne Pivac. Excited to see what Wales can do away from GatlandBall. They have done very well in getting two potential debutants away from England’s grubby mitts. Louis Rees Zammit has speed that we can’t seem to find in Australia, but by all accounts is very Welsh. Whereas Nick Tompkins is a great uncapped centre who seemed English through and through, playing for England u20s and Saracens. But was overlooked by Eddie and is now playing for Wales through some grandparent.
Scotland
Seems to be quite a few injuries hanging around unfortunately. But all aboard the Scotland train with Scottish Quade Cooper, Finn Russell. Hogg is leading the team from the back, odd to have a fullback Captain but there weren’t many other choices. Rory Hutchinson was Northampton’s breakout player last year and will be partnering up with Huw Jones in the centres. Both missed out on the RWC squad last year but should be mainstays of the Scottish backline for years to come. If Scotland can get any ball, their backline should be pretty exciting.
Italy
Buona fortuna my Italian friends, you’ll need it.
Predictions
England will probably put out the most unchanged team and after RWC2019 are deserved clear favourites to win the competition. But after that, the field is truly open. The bookies then have Ireland at 2nd, which I don’t think is justified. Mastermind Schmidt has left the building and I think will take a lot of success with him. I expect France to come 2nd. Same applies for Wales who are predicted at 3rd, losing Gatland will suck and there’s some youngsters floating around but not enough talent I don’t think. Bookies have France at 4th, but I’m really excited about them and should come in 2nd. Scotland and Italy at 5th and 6th sound about right. Opening round game of France hosting England in Paris should be an absolute belter.
