The biggest question of all is who will emerge from the tournament as Lions?
This year’s Six Nations has added significance, given that there is a Lions tour to South Africa due to take place in the summer.
Of course, with the pandemic still all around, there is some doubt over that trip.
But, for the time being, players will have to assume that, as well as the trophy, they are playing for that exclusive Lions jersey as well.
It remains a huge honour, despite Warren Gatland’s best efforts to undermine it with his callups on the previous tour.
Ever the optimist, I believe that Scotland can do well this year, although in many respects their opening match could be their hardest.
They proved last autumn that they could do a job away from home and win a game. But consistency, the everelusive quality for Gregor Townsend’s team, still evades them.
Assuming the coach and his star playmaker, Finn Russell, really have kissed and made up, then Scotland must have a good chance, despite trips to Twickenham and Paris.
The forwards have a robustness about them and have developed into a strong defensive unit.
The flankers are worldclass, and there are match winners in the backs in Russell, Van Der Merwe and captain, Stuart Hogg – if they are on form.
If they can take England by surprise, as they did in the second half of the match two years ago, then the Scots have a good chance – and a win in London would do their confidence no end of good.
Home matches against Wales and Italy don’t seem as challenging as they once were, although Ireland will always take some beating.
France in Paris is another matter.
The English have such strength in depth that they must always begin these tournaments as a favoured team to win the competition.
However, that strength in depth can sometimes count against them, as it’s hard to figure out who to pick, and in which combination.
When they do get it right, they are strong contenders to raise the trophy.
France, with England, are the teams to beat.
They seem to have been re-energised recently, and have reconnected with some of the Gallic flair which has always made them such a compelling team to watch.
In the autumn internationals, their “Second XV” almost embarrassed England in the final, which must have given them a huge lift.
If they can find some consistency, they have the power and ability to challenge any team in the world at the moment. Their trip to Twickenham is another key match. Wales seem to have lost their golden touch under their new coach, and are struggling to find form.
Some of their players could be approaching their sell-by dates – skipper Alun Wyn-jones among them.
It would, however, be foolish for anyone to write him off, especially with a Lions tour at the end of the season.
It’s hard to see the Welsh challenging for the Grand Slam this year, based on their mostrecent form.
Ireland are always going to be hard to beat, especially in Dublin.
They will host England and France, and these are likely to be defining fixtures in this year’s championship.
Whether Ireland have sufficient firepower to sustain strong performances over the duration of the Championship remains to be seen.
Like Wales, they aren’t the force they once were, and are also working with a new coach.
And Italy? Well, it’s hard to see the Azzurri doing anything other than propping up the table come mid-march when the tournament ends.
If they don’t, it will stop questions being asked again about whether they deserve a seat at the Six Nations table.
I suspect the winner of the tournament will either be France or England this year, such is their form and strength in depth.
Scotland could surprise a few folk, however, and I expect them to finish in the top half of the table.
Play well over the next few weeks, and Scotland could have their best Lions representation for a number of years.
It’s not beyond them.