England looks team to beat in newlook Six Nations
LONDON: The Six Nations Championship has a cherished and permanent place on rugby union’s global landscape.
But as the European game’s blueriband tournament prepares for its 2020 edition, there is also an exciting new feel to it.
It might be barely 10 months since Wales signed, sealed and delivered a dream farewell gift to departing head coach Warren Gatland in the form of a grand slam, yet so much has changed.
The turnaround in coaches is such that only England boss Eddie Jones and Scotland’s Gregor Townsend remain in their positions from last season’s Six Nations showpiece.
Gatland’s prodigious 12year Wales reign came to an end after the World Cup in Japan, as did that of fellow New Zealander Joe Schmidt, who left the Ireland job.
Add Conor O’Shea’s departure from Italy and Jacques Brunel stepping down in France, and this year’s competition promises to be a whole new ball game.
Wales has entrusted life after Gatland with another New Zealander, former Scarlets head coach Wayne Pivac, while Andy Farrell has been promoted from within to succeed Schmidt.
Fabien Gathie has the reins in France and South African Franco Smith leads Italy.
England, unsurprisingly given its status as 2019 World Cup runnerup, is a firm favourite with the bookmakers.
Two of its main rivals, Ireland and Wales, will be faced at Twickenham, and if England emerges unscathed from two early February away days in Paris and Edinburgh, then it could take some stopping.
But imagining the competition as one that might merely be England’s to lose, blissfully ignores claims of others — Wales, especially.
Pivac is a rookie in test terms, yet a fiveyear stint at the Scarlets underlined an attacking rugby mantra illustrated by his first Six
Nations squad.
World Cup top tryscorer Josh Adams leads an armoury of gamebreakers, and the team is strengthened by halfback Rhys Webb’s recall and fitagain No 8 Taulupe Faletau.
Farrell can call on a sizeable contingent of stars from the Leinster side — new captain Johnny Sexton included — that marched imperiously through the European Champions Cup pool stages as unbeaten top seed.
France’s Six Nations campaign, meanwhile, could stand or fall on the outcome of its opener against England.
Les Bleus have beaten England only twice in the past eight Six Nations meetings, but a win on home soil following Galthie’s strong injection of youthful talent would ignite French hopes of a revival.
Scotland’s lack of consistency remains an issue, and it could find itself in a scrap with Italy to avoid the wooden spoon. — BPA