It’s that time of year again. The best players in European rugby are once more proudly pulling on their national shirts and getting ready to wage the annual, gruelling 6 nations campaign against their counterparts in a series of games that will showcase the finest talent the Northern Hemisphere has to offer.
After the mixed success of the Autumn Internationals and with the 2011 World Cup on the horizon, all 6 teams will be looking to find some winning form on which to build before next year’s competitions. So what are their chances? Back Row Rugby investigates...
England
The lacklustre performances in the Autumn Internationals did nothing to strengthen Martin Johnson’s case for England making progress since his arrival back in April 2008. One try in three matches coupled with convincing defeats to Australia and New Zealand has left the English Rugby Community hungry for success in this year’s tournament, success that is certainly not unattainable, given the return of many key players to the setup.
Riki Flutey, Delon Armitage, Nick Easter, and Lee Mears have all helped reduce what was a considerable injury list for Martin Johnson, enabling the former England captain greater flexibility with his selection for the first match against Wales this coming Saturday. New call-ups to the squad also include Northampton stars Ben Foden, Chris Ashton, and Courtney Lawes, further adding to the attacking clout at Johnson’s disposal.
With the options available, there has perhaps not been a better opportunity in recent months for England to make their mark on the international scene. Strength in depth now rules out the selection excuse that the coaching staff have relied on of recent, results are what are needed. Last year’s tournament saw England place in second and it is expected that anything less this year, maybe Johnson’s last time as England coach.
Player to Watch
Matthew Tait: After his baptism of fire against Wales back in 2005, Tait will be looking to prove a point on Saturday and answer his critics. He certainly has the skills to become world-class but whether he can dazzle at his favoured no.13, is still yet to be seen on the international stage. Watch this space.
Ireland
The Irish are undoubtedly the in-form team heading into this year’s 6 nations. Untouchable in 2009, the men in green romped to a grand-slamming 6 nations, provided 12 integral players for the British Lions tour of South Africa, as well as completing a successful Autumn Internationals series in which they beat the Sprinboks 15-10. Simply put, they are the ones to beat.
Declan Kidney’s side boasts some of the world’s best players, including Tommy Bowe, Paul O’Connell, Rob Kearney, Jamie Heaslip, and not to mention the mercurial Brian O’Driscoll. Their success will hinge on the leadership of these experienced players, but youngsters such as Jonny Sexton and Tomas O’leary will also be welcome options to Kidney’s team sheet.
The talent pool from which the Irish head-coach is able to draw is unparalleled by the other five nations, something which will no doubt lead to another successful 6 nations campaign, but another grand-slam might be too much to ask.
Player to Watch
Tommy Bowe: With Jonny Sexton succumbing to injury, the pace and precision of Tommy Bowe makes him the player to watch. Having shown his true class on the Lions Tour, Bowe is expected to start this year’s 6 nations in similarly devastating fashion. Defences are already shaking in their boots.
Wales
The Red Dragons are no strangers to success in the 6 nations but more recently they have struggled to find the sort of consistency of previous victorious years. Like Ireland, the Welsh contributed several members of their starting XV to the British Lions cause, with varying success. Players such as Stephen Jones and Jamie Roberts thrived against the Springboks, whilst others like Lee Byrne and Adam Jones picked up unfortunate injuries; it was a mixed bag of luck for the Welsh.
Now, with Warren Gatland’s squad almost replenished (minus Matthew Rees and more recently Gethin Jenkins through groin and calf injuries respectively) the Welsh rugby machine seems to be back on track, bolstered by 9 British Lions starting against England on the opening weekend.
In the pack, the calm and steady nerves of Martin Williams and Ryan Jones will provide the leadership, whilst Stephen Jones, Roberts and Hook will make up the 10,12,13 combination, a trio that should rack up the points this championship.
Player to Watch
Jamie Roberts: After being named player of the Lions tour, the 23 year-old continues to set the standard for the modern day no.12, with powerful running lines and immense defence.
France
Another case of a wonderfully creative and talented team, plagued by inconsistency. The French are always a great threat and a huge obstacle to any nation going for the top spot in the 6 nations, but as the Autumn Internationals showed, Les Bleues are still not on their best form.
Sensational against South Africa, pitiful against New Zealand, the contrast between France on a good day and France on a bad one has become ever greater. Head-coach Marc Lievremont is well aware of this, which is why he is desperate to find what he hopes is the winning recipe in this year’s competition ahead of next year’s tough rugby schedule.
This search however has led to a lack of cohesion across all 15 positions, such as Beauxis and Nallet being left out in the Autumn series, undoubtedly two of their best players. Lievremont needs to find his best XV fast if France are to stand a chance of taking this year’s championship, but until he does, the French will remain the “inconsistent” threat.
Player to Watch:
Thierry Dusautoir: A magnificent athlete who combines both pace and power. He will be leading the French into the series and will be on the radar of every other nation.
Scotland
A memorable win against Australia at a windswept Murrayfield in the Autumn provided a much needed boost to Andy Robinson’s campaign as Scotland manager, yet despite this, the Scots’ game still has a long way to come if they want to be competing for this year’s championship.
Historically Scotland have based their strategy around a big pack that can pile on the pressure and then let the reliable boot of Chris Paterson put on the points, and it is likely that this year will see the same. But with the addition of some exciting backs, in the form of the Evans brothers and the Lamonts, all led by Phil Godman at 10, tries should be on the cards.
Player to Watch
Thom Evans: Having shown his skills for Glasgow this season, Evans is evidently becoming a potent attacking force and will be looking to get his name on the score sheet.
Italy
Italy’s head-coach Nick Mallet will be hoping he does not have to bring Mauro Bergamasco in at no.9 again after last year’s horror show against England. It was the low-point in what was another disappointing series for Mallet’s men.
Since joining the competition 10 years ago, Italy have failed to prove that they are doing anything more than just making up the numbers. Sporadic moments of brilliance across the years such as beating Wales in 2007 do make a positive case for the Italians, but more often than not they are wrestling with Scotland for the wooden spoon.
That said, they do have some great players and I think the fact that they can cause the occasional upset is what makes them interesting to watch. The Bergamasco brothers are technically superb, and Sergio Parisse is easily one of the best players in the world, but unfortunately due to injury he will not be able to play this year.
Hopefully Italy will entertain the crowds once more this year and maybe cause a few upsets along the way. We will have to wait and see.
Player to Watch:
Mauro Bergamasco: The Stade Francais superstar and Italy captain will be showing his quality this year, mixing it up with the best of the back rows Europe has to offer.
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