Team Previews With the 2012 Six Nations starting tomorrow, our friends at Planet Rugby take a closer look at each of the protagonists, starting with the defending champions,
England. A team in transition is a term used regularly and it seems none more so than with England since 2003. Expectations are that they will not win the Championship but must show promise in order to give momentum to Stuart Lancaster's successor. Who knows, maybe Lancaster will thrive and go full-time?
Last year: Champions. It could have been a Grand Slam for England after they opened up with wins over Wales, Italy, France and Scotland before the wheels came off in Dublin as Ireland took the spoils 24-8. All was looking rosy for Martin Johnson's side during the Championship as Chris Ashton was combining superbly with Ben Foden while Tom Wood was making his mark on the international scene. They also had the warm blanket of Jonny Wilkinson waiting on the bench should they need to close out a game. It was an ultimately successful campaign that seems a long time ago now after what happened in New Zealand.
This year: Where to start? After a disappointing World Cup and then the shambles that was the leaked player reports, Johnson is gone along with Mike Ford, John Wells, Brian Smith and Dave Alred. Only scrum guru Graham Rowntree remains and will form a new-look team with Lancaster and Andy Farrell for the Six Nations. There have also been plenty of retirements and trips abroad that see Lewis Moody, James Haskell, Simon Shaw, Jonny Wilkinson and Steve Thompson just some of the names who won't be involved this time around. Into the mix on the playing side come the likes of Owen Farrell, Ben Morgan, Mouritz Botha and Brad Barritt while there is a return to the squad for Charlie Hodgson. However, it will be tough for these players to settle into international rugby so soon and subsequently third place is arguably the best England can expect against the settled Welsh, Irish and French. The game with Scotland is key.
Key players: When blooding a fresh team it is important to begin by starting with the basics and build from there. England need a solid set-piece which means Alex Corbisiero, Dylan Hartley and Dan Cole need to front up at scrum time. Tom Croft is also now a senior player and his unrivalled ability will possibly be called upon more so than before in 2012. Behind the forwards the probable naming of Brad Barritt and Owen Farrell is going to be a vital area for Lancaster's side. If they can translate their club form into the Test arena, then soon-to-be team-mate Chris Ashton could be amongst the tries.
Prospects: The result against Scotland at Murrayfield cannot be downplayed as defeat would mean the pressure would be increased when England head into the cauldron that is the Stadio Olimpico. Imagine two losses on their back before taking on Wales, France and Ireland? On the flip side, huge confidence would be gained by two opening wins and so we wait to see how quickly Lancaster can rebuild this squad, which has little Test experience. Fourth place for us.
Next up, France.
With arguably the strongest squad (on paper at least), a highly-rated coach and a favourable draw, the recent World Cup finalists must fancy their chances of recapturing the Six Nations crown lost to England a year ago.
Last year: Les Bleus finished last year's Championship as runners-up as they continued to display the inconsistency that became the hallmark of the Marc Lièvremont era. A big win over Wales on the last day might have brought a semblance of respectability to France's campaign in terms of the final standings, but the 2011 tournament will be remembered for that infamous loss to Italy. After an unconvincing victory in Ireland, the defending champions' lack of spark was exposed at Twickenham and their inability to lift themselves against the Azzurri spoke volumes of the rocky relationship between the national coach and his players. That they rode roughshod over a very good Welsh side just a week later and then went on to lose to Tonga only to nearly upset the All Blacks in the World Cup final was further proof that when the stars align, this generation of French players have the capacity to be unstoppable. But finding that elusive combination of elements isn't easy.
This year: Enter Philippe Saint-André. Unlike his predecessor, France's new boss arrives with a recognised coaching pedigree and solid track record for managing the egos of 'stars'. In contrast to Lièvremont, PSA has made no grand promises of 'returning to French flair' and the like. Professionnalism has been a recurrent theme in the new coach's utterings which has been largely welcomed by both old and new faces, of which there are - unsurprisingly - relatively few. The XV de France will start the new era with a tricky transition phase as both assistant coaches - Yannick Bru and Patrice Lagisquet - are still contracted to their respective clubs, Toulouse and Biarritz. Of the six nations, France will have the least preparation time, meaning we might not see their full potential in the first few weeks.
Key players: The core of France's World Cup squad remains intact with skipper and IRB Player of the Year Thierry Dusautoir still very much the rock on which the team is built. The French pack has been their principal strength over the last few years with hooker William Servat and number eight Imanol Harinordoquy recognised as being amongst the best players in the world in their respective positions. Amongst the backs, uncapped Wesley Fofana has been tipped for big things in midfield alongside his skipper at Clermont, Aurélien Rougerie. Who is chosen to play at fly-half between the free-running François Trinh-Duc and kicking maestro Lionel Beauxis will go a long way to determining France's style.
Prospects: As usual, France will aim for nothing less than the title and home games against both Ireland and England will certainly aid their cause. Kicking off against Italy in Paris presents the perfect opportunity to smooth into the new era. Look out for odds on a Grand Slam showdown with Wales in Cardiff on March 17.
Ireland. Ireland will be confident of winning the title despite being without Brian O'Driscoll, who is missing for the entire tournament due to shoulder surgery. They have a tough start - opening with Wales and France - but with a strong pack and provincial form, they will fancy their chances.
Last year: Beating the English in the 2011 finale somewhat papered over a poor Six Nations from Ireland as they fell to France and Wales. What was also worrying was their ability to only narrowly overcome Italy and Scotland as once again they couldn't translate the form of Munster and Leinster onto the international stage. What made life frustrating was that they could have overcome France had hooker Sean Cronin not dropped the ball with the try-line begging. Would Declan Kidney's side have then sneaked the title? Personally, O'Driscoll scored three tries for his country while Jamie Heaslip got two.
This year: What's new? Not much, but is that the problem? 'Tried and tested' is one phrase used by pundits while some readers are going with 'tired and tested'. We expect the same starting pack that fronted up against Wales in New Zealand to run out in the opening fixture, with only Fergus McFadden and maybe Jonathan Sexton replacing BOD and Ronan O'Gara. Off the field and it seems Gert Smal will remain in the coaching set-up despite rumours of him returning to South Africa. They are serious contenders of that there is little doubt but if the Irish fail to push hard for the title this year then it is likely heads will roll.
Key players: Three names immediately jump out of their pack and they are Cian Healy, Sean O'Brien and Stephen Ferris. That trio have been devastating for Leinster and Ulster respectively and also starred at the World Cup. Both the aforementioned flanks are carrying machines while Healy compliments them well in open play. Outside the forwards and the Irish possess Jonathan Sexton and Rob Kearney, with the latter having regained his form of 2009 for the Lions.
Prospects: Is their opener with Wales in Dublin the Six Nations decider? Some say yes, but the majority will no doubt be in agreement that if they defeat France the following week in Paris then the road to glory will have been eased considerably. Anything less than first or second will be a disappointment.
Italy. Italy step into a brave new era with the ambition of evolving from regular Wooden Spooners to mid-table contenders.
Last year: Although the Azzurri finished the 2011 tournament at the foot of the Six Nations table, last year will go down as one of the most memorable in the history of Italian rugby thanks to two huge performances at the Stadio Flaminio. On the opening weekend, Ronan O'Gara's last-gasp drop-goal broke Italian hearts as Ireland escaped defeat by the skin of their teeth but France were not so lucky a month later. That historic one-point win was a milestone in the development of Italian rugby and was the culmination of four years under Nick Mallett's guidance. Unfortunately, a 46-point thrashing at Twickenham and a feeble showing in defeat at Murrayfield illustrated that there are many years of hard work ahead before the Tifosi can celebrate their first title.
This year: Former Perpignan coach Jacques Brunel has a massive task on his hands as he aims to build on the platform created by Mallett. While his predecessor long bemoaned the lack of quality backs to match the formidable Azzurri pack, Brunel has taken a positive approach to the situation - in front of the press at least - and has spoken of finding a 'more balanced game' for Italy. Easier said than done. There are handful of new players in the squad that few outside of Italy would have heard of but Brunel has a record of doing a lot with limited resources. His ambition of moving Italy into the top six in the world does however seem a touch overambitious. Nevertheless, the prospect of the men in blue giving the ball a bit more air - at their temporary home at Rome's Olympic Stadium - will be welcomed by most supporters. Whether it works remains to be seen.
Key players: What would Italy be without Sergio Parisse? One of the finest back rows around, the skipper is still the best player in blue. Leicester prop Martin Castrogiovanni is no spring chicken but remains the king-pin in a fearsome front row. Meanwhile, full-back Andre Masi became the first Italian to be voted the Player of the Tournament last year.
Prospects: Don't expect Brunel to work miracles overnight. Once again, Italy's main ambition will be to win one home game and their final fixture against Scotland is their best opportunity to do so. Trips to Paris, Dublin and Cardiff and a visit from defending champions England make for a rather unfavourable draw.
ScotlandCan Scotland avoid another wooden spoon battle with Italy and instead make a strong enough bid for a title they have not won since the tournament was expanded to six teams at the turn of 2000?
Last year: Scotland finished the 2011 Six Nations with a flourish, ending a run of four straight losses and thus avoiding the wooden spoon in the process with victory over Italy at Murrayfield - their first Championship win at their home ground in two years. The match also saw Nick De Luca touch down for Scotland's first try at Murrayfield since November 2009, while head coach Andy Robinson celebrated his second Six Nations win in 10 attempts but his first at the home of Scotland rugby. Prior to that winning result on March 19, the Scots had a rather forgetful campaign after entering the tournament with plenty of promise on the back of five wins in six Tests. However, an opening loss to France, was followed by two home defeats to Wales and Ireland before going down to England in a tight tussle at Twickenham.
This year: If Scotland conjure up repeat performances like the ones displayed at the World Cup, then their loyal supporters are in for a frustrating season ahead yet again. The Scots managed to score only four tries throughout their World Cup campaign and lost close games they should have won, resulting in the disappointment of becoming the first Scotland squad not to make the World Cup quarter-finals. Yet Andy Robinson's position remains safe all the way to 2015. In order to make a splash in this year's Six Nations, the former England boss badly needs a fresh approach to galvanise a hopelessly one-dimensional side or the nightmare of taking home the dreaded wooden spoon could become a harsh reality. They have a chance to take advantage of an under-fire England team going through a rebuilding phase under a caretaker coach in the tournament opener at Murrayfield. They couldn't have asked for a better fixture to kick-off their campaign, with the added chance of revenge thrown into the mix against the auld enemy. However one feels that if they let this opportunity slip, then the remainder of the tournament will be an uphill battle with a tough away game against Wales to follow before taking on France at home and then Ireland in Dublin.
Key players: Scotland received an early injury blow with news that loose forward Kelly Brown will miss the entire tournament. In his absence, 53-times capped hooker Ross Ford has secured the armband and will be required to lead the team from the front. His experience though is priceless, and commands the respect of his team-mates and opponents. Behind him, Richie Gray - with his mop of shaggy blond hair and fearless attitude on the pitch - will once again be a force to be reckoned with. Gray may be only 22, but has become a cult hero in Scottish rugby and already has the makings of a world-class player. In the backs, uncapped Glasgow pivot Duncan Weir may get a chance to showcase his kicking skills if given the chance but needs a poor showing from Ruaridh Jackson and Dan Parks for it happen.
Prospects: There's a genuine feeling that Scottish rugby is in the ascendancy after Edinburgh reached the Heineken Cup quarter-finals as pool winners. However, as mentioned already, the Calcutta Cup clash with England will shape the tournament for Scotland. Win and a strong tournament is possible. Defeat and a repeat of the last two tournaments is likely and Robinson's position may be placed under scrutiny. Fixtures with World Cup semi-finalists Wales, World Cup finalists France, World Cup quarter-finalists Ireland and Italy follow, with the match in Rome potentially once again being the wooden spoon decider.
WalesWales enter the Six Nations as hot favourites following their remarkable run at the World Cup in New Zealand. The big question though is whether they can kick on and land their second Six Nations title under coach Warren Gatland. They're unquestionably good enough to do it, but will they crumble under pressure?
Last year: Wales had a tiny chance of snatching the Six Nations crown off England - who had earlier been taken apart by Ireland - if they managed to beat France by 27 points in Paris. After suffering an opening defeat to England in Cardiff, Wales' mini-renaissance of three consecutive wins had formed the platform of their unlikely tilt at the title. In the end, the salient margin became the 10-point win needed by France to leap-frog Wales into second place while Gatland's troops were condemned to fourth.
This year: This time last year Wales entered the Six Nations under immense pressure having failed to record a single Test victory in seven consectutive attempts. Now they are favourites thanks to their World Cup heroics. Three of their five games are in Cardiff, while an opening weekend trip to Dublin is underpinned by the knowledge that Wales knocked Ireland out of World Cup contention at the quarter-final stage. However, injuries have not been kind to the Welsh who have to soldier on without the likes of locks Luke Charteris and Alun-Wyn Jones and hooker Lloyd Burns, while fly-half Rhys Priestland and prop Gethin Jenkins will miss the opening match in Dublin with flanker Dan Lydiate also in doubt. It's an early blow that Gatland can certainly do without, but still has plenty of talent to overcome this injury hurdle.
Key players: Toby Faletau caused a storm at the RWC in New Zealand, playing all seven of last year's World Cup matches, and was arguably Wales' find of the tournament where he finished as his team's top tackler and carrier. Needless to say, much of the same will be required. The same goes for Wales captain Sam Warburton - minus the red cards of course. However, even his sending off in the World Cup semi-final against France failed to damage Warburton's reputation as one of the rising stars of the game. In the backs, with Shane Williams retiring from Test rugby, it's a simple case of out with the old and in with the new as George North continues to make waves out wide.
Prospect: The gutsy displays shown throughout the World Cup, prove that Wales have the potential to go all the way... if they manage to keep fifteen men on the field for 80 minutes and make their kicks at goal count.
Thanks to our friends at Premiership Rugby for the round up and Getty Images for the photo.
