and the largest annual rugby tournament in the world, begins this weekend. Pubs and off licenses have stocked up and old friendships and rivalries are renewed.
The contenders are below in the order they came last year. This is a particularly important year as the home nation players are vying for places on the British and Irish Lions to Australia this summer, to be selected would be the pinnacle of the player’s career.
Wales are the defending champions and Grand Slam holders, but come into the tournament trying to remember how to win a game. They are also without their talismanic coach Warren Gatland who is on Lions duty and their injury list is long, particularly in the second row.
Ireland have a few old timers back and will this be BOD’s last 6 nations? Will Declan Kidney finally get the best from his talented squad?
England had a mixed autumn series, but blew the All Blacks away to everyone’s surprise in their last match. England will be missing Tuilagi for the first match and have yet to find any consistency or a decent left wing. Tom Varndell must feel aggrieved.
The French are favourites after a good autumn series and have a good solid coach, but do they have a fly half to take them all the way?
Italy are still battling on and their main hope is to beat Scotland to avoid the Wooden Spoon. They have world class in their captain Parisse and they are trying to be more expansive with improving results.
Scotland are last season’s Wooden Spoon holders and in their last outing lost to Tonga meaning that their coach, Andy Robinson fell on his sword and resigned. They have a large pack and a few kilted imports to spark their back line. They can’t be worse than last year can they!?
The Grand Slam is rarely won, but my prediction to win the tournament is France, but not a Grand Slam (5 victories). Watch this prediction come back and bite me on the arse particularly if the Irish sneak through to win it!
For the tournaments official website click here http://www.rbs6nations.com/en/home.php
Remember to drink responsibly when watching the games, always get your round in!!!