The stars align and coaches plot for an epic battle that will be out of this world
6 PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR WHEN THE SIX NATIONS KICKS OFF...
The Six Nations talking stops this weekend and the action begins. Scotland open proceedings with a tricky away fixture against Wales on Saturday in Cardiff where they have not won since 2002. France play Ireland the same day in what should be a cracker before England face Italy in Rome 24 hours later. Ahead of the tournament,
Sportsmail’s Rob Robertson looks at the strengths and weaknesses of the respective squads, the players that can make a difference and the injury problems every nation faces.
ENGLAND
Listen to eddie Jones and you would think the bookies’ six nations favourites have no chance of winning the tournament.
Moaning about the length of his injury list, which isn’t as bad as he makes out, and playing mind games by calling scotland ‘the big darlings’, he has a way of rubbing up opposition fans the wrong way.
For all his injury concerns, he has more strength in depth than any other nation and also has a sprinkling of world-class stars in his 36-man squad such as Owen Farrell and Maro itoje.
Back-row stars Billy Vunipola and nathan Hughes are both injured and James Haskell is suspended. that could open the door for two uncapped players with scottish links to be involved in england’s first game against italy.
Bath flanker Zach Mercer went to Merchiston Castle school in edinburgh and played for scotland Under-16s when his dad Gary was assistant head coach at Glasgow Warriors under sean Lineen.
stirling-born Gary Graham played for scotland Under-20s and Gala before switching international allegiances after signing for newcastle Falcons last summer.
Player to watch: Owen Farrell is world class with superb all-round ability. He makes england tick.
Young player to watch: Flanker Mercer has been told by Jones he will win his first cap in the six nations. the only question is in what game?
When do they play Scotland? in round three on saturday, February 24 at Murrayfield, kick-off 4.45pm, live on BBC.
FRANCE
WitH a new coach in Jacques Brunel and a very young side, it is tough to predict just how the French will perform. How they do against ireland in Paris in their opening game will give a good indication of where they are at.
there are 17 players under the age of 25 in the exciting 32-strong French squad.
they include the uncapped 19-year-old number ten Matthieu Jalibert of Bordeaux Begles, who is looked on as a potential world-class star of the future.
top-class props, as scotland are finding out due to injuries to most of theirs, are worth their weight in gold. that is why the uncapped France loosehead Dany Priso is being talked up as a vital player for the French.
the 24-year-old has been playing so well this season for La Rochelle that he is among the eight players nominated for european Rugby’s Player of the Year.
Guilhem Guirado of toulon is the French captain and is the only player over 30 in the whole squad.
such is their strength in the back row that there is no place for Montpellier captain Louis Picamoles, who was in great form at number eight in the back-toback european Champions Cup wins over Glasgow Warriors.
Player to watch: With such a young squad, it is vital that 31-year-old Guirado guides them well as captain. never has a French captain been under such pressure going into a six nations.
Young player to watch: england’s 2003 World Cup winner Ben Kay describes teenager Jalibert as ‘the most exciting talent i have ever seen’. High praise indeed from the man who played alongside the likes of Jonny Wilkinson and Jason Robinson in the 20-17 World Cup final win over Australia in sydney. When do they play Scotland? Round two on sunday, February 11 at Murrayfield with a 3pm kick-off, live on BBC.
IRELAND
A 37-MAn squad packed with experienced players, they will be among the six nations title challengers. Joe schmidt’s side face england at twickenham in the final round of matches, which could turn out to be the title decider.
they have British and irish Lions Johnny sexton at fly-half, captain Rory Best at hooker and iain Henderson in the second row. Add into the mix the likes of centres Robbie Henshaw and Bundee Aki and this is a strong-looking irish team that has been relatively untroubled by injuries to key players.
Leinster full-back Jordan Larmour has a name more in keeping with a gun slinger from the Old West and has the talent to shoot down the opposition. the 20-year-old is the only uncapped player in schmidt’s squad.
He is highly rated and can go on to be world class as anybody who witnessed him in action in Leinster’s 55-19 Champions Cup win over Glasgow in Dublin will realise. in 13 appearances for his club this season he has scored six tries.
Player to watch: At the age of 35 and after 106 appearances for his country this is shaping up to be Best’s final six nations. He will want to go out with a bang.
Young player to watch: Larmour. The heir-apparent to Rob Kearney as Ireland full-back is in great form. If you want to see what all the fuss is about, go on to YouTube and watch his thrilling try for Leinster against Munster. When do they play Scotland? Round four on Saturday, March 10 at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, kick-off 2.15pm, live on ITV.
ITALY
YOU have to be concerned at how many heavy defeats they are facing. Conor O’Shea is working hard but simply doesn’t have enough talent at his disposal to create a winning team. He has brought in the legendary ex-All Blacks assistant head coach Wayne Smith this year to give him much-needed advice.
Old warhorse Sergio Parisse will captain the side once again and, with him in it, you will always see lots of heart and commitment from the Italian players.
The possibility of losing Leonardo Sarto, their most attacking threat, who had to go off with a shoulder injury in Glasgow Warriors’ win over Exeter Chiefs, is a big blow.
On the plus side, former Scotland Under-20 fly-half Tommaso Allan is fit again after missing the autumn Test series through injury. Player to watch: Parisse. Who else? Once one of the greatest players in world rugby, he still brings incredible inspired passion and commitment to his country.
Young player to watch: Jake Polledri has been playing well for Gloucester this season and is a mobile back-row player, who is lightning fast to the breakdown. When do they play Scotland? Round five on Saturday, March 17 in Stadio Olimpico, Rome, kick-off 12.30pm, live on ITV.
SCOTLAND
WALES head coach Warren Gatland and former British and Irish Lion Austin Healey both believe Scotland are serious Six Nations title challengers for the first time in years.
That is a fair assumption because although Gregor Townsend’s team is struggling to find fit and experienced props, they have strength in depth in every other position.
Does Ali Price or Greig Laidlaw start at scrum-half? What is the best centre combination? Who gets the nod on the wing? What is the second-row partnership?
If Townsend gets his selection spot-on, then Scotland will be challenging along with England and Ireland for the title.
Confidence is high going into the competition after wins over Samoa and the thumping of Australia in November. Running New Zealand so close is also a reason for optimism.
Player to watch: Stuart Hogg, although Finn Russell could have as big an impact. When Hogg plays well, Scotland play well. It took him just 71 seconds to score a try in his comeback match against Exeter Chiefs after nearly two months out due to a hip injury. World class on his day. Young player to watch: Price only made his breakthrough in the third game of the last Six Nations after Laidlaw picked up an injury. Since he made his first start for Scotland against Wales in last year’s tournament, the 24-year-old has made the number nine jersey his own.
WALES
OUT of all the nations, Warren Gatland can justifiably claim to have suffered more than any other because of injuries. Six of his British and Irish Lions stars — Rhys Webb, Jonathan Davies, Liam Williams, Dan Biggar, Taulupe Faletau and Sam Warburton — all miss the Six Nations opener against Scotland.
Welsh captain Warburton is out of the whole tournament due to neck and knee problems.
Gatland will rely heavily on players from the Scarlets to make up the majority of his starting team. One of their most important players will be Rhys Patchell, who can play at either full-back or fly-half. His Scarlets team-mate Steff Evans could come on to the wing and Hadleigh Parkes into the centre.
Gatland knows Wales’ Six Nations will rest on how they start against Scotland and they are under huge pressure to win. Their more experienced squad members like captain Alun Wyn Jones and Leigh Halfpenny will have a vital role to play in making sure they get things right.
Player to watch: He may be uncapped but Scotland captain John Barclay believes flanker James Davies, who has been called up at the age of 27, can be a vital player for Wales. The former GB sevens star, who won a silver medal as part of the Great Britain squad in the 2016 Rio Olympics, has been in great form for Scarlets alongside Barclay.
Young player to watch: In-form Worcester Warriors winger Josh Adams is the top try scorer in the Premiership this season. The 22-year-old is likely to get some game time on the wing.