State of the Nations... how the protagonists are shaping up ahead of big tournament
THE opening round of the 2018 Six Nations is just a month away and it promises to be one of the tightest northern hemisphere jousts in recent years.
Eddie Jones’s England, the defending champions, will head into the tournament as undoubted favourites, but Ireland, the resurgent Scots and Wales, with three home matches, will be seen as potential contenders to deny the Red Rose a historic third successive Six Nations crown.
Here we look at the state of the nations...
ENGLAND
Form With just one defeat in two years, against Ireland in Dublin last March, the English chariot continues apace towards next year’s World Cup in Japan.
Former centre and World Cup winner Will Greenwood has tipped Eddie Jones’s side to usurp the All Blacks as world number one by the end of 2018.
While not at their best during the autumn, it was still a comfortable unbeaten campaign, seeing off Argentina (21-8), Australia (30-6) and Samoa (48-14).
Clear favourites for the title, especially with Ireland and Wales to visit Twickenham. Strengths England possess a depth that is the envy of every other side in the Home Nations.
Jones now has the luxury of being able to rest key players in the knowledge he has others who are more than capable to deputise as he showed by sidelining the likes of Owen Farrell and Maro Itoje during the autumn.
The confidence gained from 22 wins from 23 matches under Jones also can’t be understated. Weaknesses Not many, although the absence of a world-class ‘fetcher’ at seven remains an area of concern. The continued faith shown in skipper Dylan Hartley ahead of Lions Test choice Jamie George is also questionable. Key Injuries Billy Vunipola is close to making his much-anticipated return from a knee problem, which will compensate for the news that Wasps powerhouse Nathan Hughes has been ruled out of the tournament.
Club-mate Elliot Daly, the matchwinner against Wales in Cardiff last year, is another set to miss the campaign because of an ankle injury.
Jones will be keeping a close eye on the progress of Leicester centre Manu Tuilagi, who is continuing his comeback from numerous long-term injury issues. Key men Look no further than Owen Farrell, the Saracens pivot who Rugby World magazine this week named as the best player on the planet.
Maro Itoje, such an influence for the Lions in New Zealand, is another whose trajectory continues skyward. Vibe There has barely been a speed-bump in the way of Jones since he took over following England’s disastrous 2015 World Cup exit.
The Aussie has a persona that will keep the media onside, but also a canny ability to keep his team grounded.
IRELAND
Form The 38-3 hammering of South Africa at the Aviva Stadium was one of head-turning results of the entire autumn series. Joe Schmidt went on to use 36 players during the three matches Ireland played in Dublin, with the mauling of the Springboks followed up by hard-earned wins over Fiji (23-20) and Argentina (28-19). Strengths The Irish boast arguably the best pair of game-managing half-backs in world rugby in Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton. Lions Test tight-head Tadhg Furlong will ensure the Irish scrum won’t find itself on its heels, while there is an abundance of riches in the back row.
Schmidt is also bringing through a crop of exciting backline talent including Ulsterman Jacob Stockdale, Leinster’s Garry Ringrose and converted Kiwi Bundee Aki. Weaknesses Ireland have proven vulnerable on their travels in recent Six Nations – they lost in Edinburgh and Cardiff last year – while the reliance on the injury-prone Sexton and Murray can leave them exposed if either is sidelined. Key injuries Veteran No. 8 Jamie Heaslip hasn’t been seen since the Six Nations defeat to Wales in March because of a back injury, while Ulster’s Jared Payne hasn’t featured since the Lions tour. Key men Murray and Sexton are the orchestrators with so much revolving around the tactical nous of the experienced Lions pairing. Peter O’Mahony’s influence can be summed up by his outstanding display against England last year. Vibe On the back of an unbeaten autumn, the performances of the provinces in the Champions Cup means Irish rugby has headed into 2018 with a skip in its step.
Schmidt also hasn’t had to deal with the mounting casualty list handed to some of his rivals.
SCOTLAND
Form Without doubt, the story of the autumn was told north of the border.
Within yards of an historic first victory over the All Blacks, Gregor Townsend’s rejuvenated side went on to destroy a hapless 14-man Australia at Murrayfield. Strengths Townsend has transferred the Glasgow free-running, off-loading ethos into the national camp and there is a real energy about the Scots in attack, with full-back Stuart Hogg at the vanguard.
They have also discovered forwards comfortable in the open spaces, while centre Huw Jones has added a new dimension to their midfield. Weaknesses How many times have we suggested that this could be Scotland’s year? Will the autumn give them the belief they need? How will they deal with the unfamiliar expectation? Are there still demons from last year’s Twickenham capitulation?
They still appear shaky in the front row, while Finn Russell can be as unpredictable as the Murrayfield swirl. Key injuries Hogg hasn’t played since the autumn because of a hip issue, but is hoping to be back ahead of the Six Nations opener against Wales in Cardiff.
Former skipper Greig Laidlaw is another on the sidelines with the Lions tourist recovering from a broken fibula suffered against the Ospreys in Europe in October. Key men Hogg sets the tempo from the back, a scintillating attacking runner who has won successive player of the tournament awards.
The scavenging Hamish Watson, outstanding against Wales last year, is a key cog in the back row, while keep an eye on flanker-turned-hooker Stuart McInally. Vibe Townsend will do well to downplay the hype surrounding his side when the coaches meet the media at the annual pre-tournament launch in Surrey later this month. They are expected to come to the party in 2018.
WALES
Form A mediocre 2017 Championship was followed by another familiar autumn tale of disappointment and redemption. After Wales’ win over the Springboks last month, BBC pundit Jeremy Guscott described both sides as second division. It was hard to argue otherwise. Strengths Even with a number of high-profile absentees, Wales can still boast an abundance of world-class players, Liam Williams, Rhys Webb, George North (if fit), Justin Tipuric and Alun Wyn Jones among them.
They also, for whatever reason, raise their game above November standards for the Six Nations and thrive on the underdog status. Weaknesses An attacking game in transition. Wales have attempted to remodel, but remain a work in progress and there is