England are the favourites but must beware threat of France and Ireland
Eddie Jones’s men will aim to build on strong World Cup showing but the competition will be fierce and the Six Nations should be fascinating to watch
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England have a huge game first up in Paris but if they win that the grand slam would be on with Wales and Ireland at home. Italy will target Scotland in Rome as they try to avoid the wooden spoon.
Definitely the team to beat. England have stability, strength in depth and a game plan which has just got them to a World Cup final. The only major changes are Simon Amor as attack coach and Matt Proudfoot as forwards coach. But, as I have said in a previous column, I think it will be evolution rather than revolution as far as England’s game plan goes.
There are some issues to address. The way South Africa dominated the scrum in that final in Yokohama will have haunted England’s pack all winter. There are also question marks at scrum-half, while Henry Slade’s injury is a blow.
There are also question marks in the back row with Billy Vunipola injured and no specialist No 8 selected. Perhaps Tom Curry can do a job there. England have such a variety of ball carriers, though. They will look to get across the gain line quickly and get the ball away. Extra pace between phases will be the target for England, so an extra runner in the back row could make the difference
Hugely exciting. Nineteen uncapped players in their initial selection says it all. This is a new era, and with Shaun Edwards and Rafa Ibanez now on the coaching ticket, France could take off. How quickly they can get the players to gel is open to debate but France certainly have the talent.
Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack are such an exciting combination tion at halfback and Fabien Galthie is obviously sly putting his faith in them hem this time around, with the likes of Maxime e Machenaud ud and Camille Lopez left out. Outside ide them, France have ave incredible e strike runners such as Virimi Vakatawa, katawa, Damian Penaud and Teddy y Thomas, while up front they y are well stocked as s ever with strong ball ll carriers: Gregory Alldritt and captain Charles harles Ollivoon Ollivon in the back ck row, and thet the outstanding ng Camille ChatC Chat in the front nt row. Secoond Second row is an area where they might struuguggle struggle to makke make an impact.
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