The question each side must answer to lift the crown

Do they have the mental strength to get over the World Cup final?

I was at last week’s Six Nations launch and watching Owen Farrell talk banished any notion for me that what is going on with Saracens will dim his competitive edge and desperation to win with England. He has an extraordinary mentality and is clearly able to compartmentalise his two employers. Owen, like his side, is young, hungry and experienced

– and by that

I mean rugby lessons, rather than number of caps.

This England side will have been changed by what happened in Japan, when they destroyed New Zealand but failed to give their best in the World Cup final a week later, losing to a superior South Africa team. That will have aged them significantly as players, and now we will see what they have learnt.

Backing it up is so difficult to do, but they have all the tools to win, with a pack that is starting to look as gnarly and horrible as Brian Moore’s crew from the early Nineties, even if they have a long way to go yet. Eddie Jones admitted it was rash to suggest he would change everything after the World Cup, but he will certainly have to fend off a number of questions over his choice of scrumhalves during the tournament. He loves a joust, though, so do not expect anything to change any time soon.

Star man Tom Curry (left). He may well end up being talked of as the new David Pocock soon.

they must play some rugby. Clearly, they will miss Finn Russell, and I hope something can be sorted to bring him back into the fold. But in the fly-half ’s absence they must let Adam Hastings loose and be prepared for him to take them on a real ride in the No10 shirt, with fans shouting and screaming at him in one breath and then whooping and hollering the next. The main issue is that they have to win the gain line to get a platform on which to play.

Star man Jamie Ritchie (left). The back-row was monstrously good in the World Cup, with his wiry frame allowing him to cover the ground faster than most in his position. Reminds me of Lewis Moody.

Can they blend so many new faces and hit the ground running?

Fabien Galthie might just be the coolest man on the planet. He wears a suit, but has his tie undone, all the while rocking funky specs and bright white trainers. The new French coach may pretend not to speak English but he knows what you are saying, although like all great scrum-halves he displayed some selective hearing when I asked him whether his side could win the Grand Slam if they beat England in their opening match.

Galthie talked about taking it one step at a time, but he knows this is a real opportunity with a great squad and coaching team. I am also impressed by his choice as captain, Charles

Can they finish more of the chances they create?

My old Azzurri friends are a tough topic to discuss. We will have to wait to see how they play under the leadership of Franco Smith, but I look at their options and fear that, unless they upset some apple carts and introduce some new faces,

Ollivon. He seems bright and articulate, and has a certain aura. He will lead with his actions, but can communicate superbly if change is needed. He was sensational in the World Cup and you wonder how he only has 11 caps.

Ollivon will also trust the wonderful talent he has outside him. They have players who can make the likes of Jean-baptiste Lafond, Franck Mesnel and Serge Blanco proud. That youthful back line has a French swagger that is so appealing and dangerous, and they also have a potent weapon in the brilliant Virimi Vakatawa. They look seriously good.

Star man Vakatawa (above). Runs round, past and over you. He is France’s Manu Tuilagi – and if you do not know about him yet, you soon will.

there is a feeling that everything has changed, but nothing has.

One thing they need to fix is converting some of their line breaks into tries. They must be more clinical.

Star man The back-row collective of Sebastian Negri, Jake Polledri and Abraham Steyn (left). They can go toe to toe with the best.

Can the old guard keep finding ways to win and do they need a new way to do it?

Alun Wyn Jones has probably had enough of walking around in full rugby kit at 8am, but at last week’s launch he never once let his composure slip. Perhaps that is only to be expected for one of the most insanely durable human beings I have ever seen, but it was still commendable.

But while the captain remains the same, almost everything else has changed.

This is a big

France in Paris, they will win the Grand Slam. But I have this nagging feeling they will not, and that France will go on to pick up enough bonus points to allow them to lose in Cardiff and still win the championship.

We know that England are red-hot favourites for the Six Nations and the more I look at their pack, the more I think that is justified. But there is something about Ollivon and his young musketeers, and Paris tomorrow is where we could see them set sail for new-found glory.