England
After three creditable RBS Six Nations Championship campaigns, England’s progress under Stuart Lancaster seemed to flatline over the autumn. There were extenuating circumstances, and these look set to continue. It is normal for at least one Six Nations squad to be torn apart by injury. This year would appear to be England’s turn but they still (somehow) boast a pack the equal of any, even if the midfield conundrum remains without an obvious solution. They will enjoy three home games, the expectations of which are non-negotiable. First up is a trip to the Millennium Stadium and we all know what happened last time they were there. Another defeat need not put a dent in England’s hopes for the match against Wales in the World Cup in September (remember how England returned the hiding at Twickenham in last year’s Six Nations) but anything like a repeat of the 2013 rout would drive a great hole through confidence in Lancaster and his team. If England’s coach seems to have the temperament for pressure, it will be tested this Six Nations like never before.
Key man: Chris Robshaw
May not scatter defenders or smash attackers but regularly tops the tackle and carry counts, doing the work of two men. Let others catch the eye with their big moments, Robshaw’s sustained excellence holds England together.
Squad: Backs Brad Barritt age 28 caps 22, Mike Brown 29/33, Luther Burrell 27/7, Danny Care 28/50, Danny Cipriani 27/9, Kyle Eastmond 25/6, George Ford 21/6, Alex Goode 26/16, Jonathan Joseph 23/6, Jonny May 24/11, Stephen Myler 30/1, Jack Nowell 21/5, Billy Twelvetrees 26/16, Anthony Watson 20/4, Richard Wigglesworth 31/16, Ben Youngs 25/42.
Forwards Dave Attwood 27/16, Calum Clark 25/0, Dan Cole 27/45, Alex Corbisiero 26/19, Tom Croft 29/38, Christian Day 31/0, Nick Easter 36/47, Dylan Hartley 28/61, James Haskell 29/53, Graham Kitchener 25/0, George Kruis 24/4, Joe Marler 24/26, Geoff Parling 31/21, Chris Robshaw (capt) 28/32, Billy Vunipola 22/12, Mako Vunipola 24/15, David Wilson 29/41, Tom Wood 28/34, Tom Youngs 28/17.
France
Philippe Saint-André’s France have never finished in the top half of the Six Nations table. They finished bottom the year before last. His much-maligned predecessor, Marc Lièvremont, signed off with a grand slam and second place in his last two campaigns. Should we applaud France for showing such uncharacteristic patience in Saint-André or see his retention as a sign they have finally run out of ideas? Saint-André would cite, not unreasonably, the disproportionate power of the French clubs as the root cause of the national team’s slump. It’s not all bad, though (nothing is ever consistent with French rugby). They were a whisker away from winning the last World Cup, albeit by lulling everyone else into a false sense of security with their form in the pool stages. And, despite losing all three Tests in Australia last June, they did beat them in Paris in November — but then so did Ireland and England. Truth is, we have no logical reason to think their wanderings in the lower reaches of the Six Nations are about to end. And therein may lie their greatest chance.
Key man: Camille Lopez
Fly-half has been France’s problem position but this fellow looks to be the most convincing answer for some time. A confident playmaker and goalkicker, although we are yet to see him under real pressure.
Squad: Backs Mathieu Bastareaud age 26 caps 28, Alexandre Dumoulin 25/2, Wesley Fofana 27/30, Sofiane Guitoune 25/2, Yoann Huget 27/33, Rory Kockott 28/3, Rémi Lamerat 25/3, Camille Lopez 25/5, Noa Nakaitaci 24/0, Morgan Parra 26/56, Scott Spedding 28/3, Rémi Tales 30/13, Teddy Thomas 21/2, Sébastien Tillous-Borde 29/11.
Forwards Uini Atonio 24/3, Eddy Ben Arous 24/1, Damien Chouly 29/24, Thierry Dusautoir (capt) 33/70, Alexandre Flanquart 25/10, Loann Goujon 25/0, Guilhem Guirado 28/26, Benjamin Kayser 30/27, Wenceslas Lauret 25/7, Bernard Le Roux 25/11, Yoann Maestri 27/31, Nicolas Mas 34/76, Alexandre Menini 31/5, Yannick Nyanga 31/40, Pascal Papé 34/57, Louis Picamoles 29/44, Rabah Slimani 25/10, Romain Taofifénua 24/3.
Ireland
The era of their provinces’ dominance in Europe seems to have ebbed but Ireland’s stock at international level has never been higher. They are ranked No3 in the world, one spot above England, with whom they are joint favourites for the Six Nations title. They backed up last season’s triumph with an unbeaten autumn campaign, that took in wins over South Africa and Australia, but there are clouds on the horizon. Much of their recent success has been based on the form of Jonathan Sexton, who has established himself as the world’s leading fly-half. He has not played since that win over Australia and will miss at least the first match of the championship, as he recovers from concussion. His half-back partner, Conor Murray, has injury problems too. Other key players in Seán O’Brien, Cian Healy and Mike Ross are without recent game time, while a host of squad players will miss some or all of the championship. And then there’s the absence of one Brian O’Driscoll. The champions have plenty to contend with before we even consider the motivation of those who wish to dethrone them.
Key player: Robbie Henshaw
There are a number of contenders to inherit the most famous shirt in Ireland rugby but Henshaw is the youngest, biggest and fastest. O’Driscoll has tipped Connacht’s 21-year-old as his likeliest successor.
Squad: Backs Isaac Boss age 34 caps 20, Tommy Bowe 30/56, Darren Cave 27/8, Gordon D’Arcy 34/81, Keith Earls 27/39, Luke Fitzgerald 27/27. Craig Gilroy 23/6, Robbie Henshaw 21/5, Felix Jones 27/9, David Kearney 25/7, Rob Kearney 28/57, Ian Keatley 27/3, Ian Madigan 25/13, Kieran Marmion 22/3, Fergus McFadden 28/28, Conor Murray 25/30b, Jared Payne 29/1, Eoin Reddan 34/58, Noel Reid 24/1, Jonathan Sexton 29/47, Simon Zebo 24/11.
Forwards Michael Bent 28/2, Rory Best 32/78, Jack Conan 22/0, James Cronin 24/1, Sean Cronin 28/38, Robbie Diack 29/2, Dave Foley 26/2, Cian Healy 27/47, Jamie Heaslip 31/69, Iain Henderson 22/12, Rob Herring 24/1, Mike McCarthy 33/17, Jack McGrath 25/12, Martin Moore 23/5, Jordi Murphy 23/4, Seán O’Brien 27/30, Paul O’Connell (capt) 35/96, Tommy O’Donnell 27/6, Peter O’Mahony 25/25, Mike Ross 35/44, Rhys Ruddock 24/5, Dominic Ryan 24/1, Richardt Strauss 29/6, Devin Toner 28/20, Nathan White 33/0.
Italy
Italy will want to move on from 2014 as quickly as they can but there were signs of hope in the autumn series, when they ended a run of nine defeats in a row with a good win over Samoa. Up front they look as serious as ever, with caps fairly oozing from the pores of some familiar warriors. Behind the scrum they are raw and largely unknown, which may not be a bad thing. Kelly Haimona, the naturalised New Zealander, played a blinder on his debut in that Samoa win and looks set to become the latest to stake a claim for the troublesome No10 shirt. Michele Campagnaro and Leonardo Sarto are two big three-quarters who will aim to build on promising championship debuts last year. They have Ireland in Rome up first and the champions will be missing key players. Do not be surprised if the Azzurri ruffle a few feathers. If they can keep their leading players fit, no one should expect an easy game. This looks set to be the most competitive Six Nations Championship of recent times. Expect Italy to play a full part.
Key player: Josh Furno
The men who have kept Italy afloat need no introduction but Furno has stepped up to join them over the past two years. All-action forward with piratical locks to go with it.
Squad: Backs Tommaso Allan age 21 caps 10, Giulio Bisegni 22/0, Michele Campagnaro 21/12, Edoardo Gori 24/37, Kelly Haimona 28/3, Andrea Masi 33/87, Luke McLean 27/63, Luca Morisi 23/9, Guglielmo Palazzani 23/6, Simone Ragusi 22/0, Leonardo Sarto 23/12, Giovambattista Venditti 24/22, Marcello Violi 21/0, Michele Visentin 23/0.
Forwards Matías Agüero 33/29, Robert Barbieri 30/38, Mauro Bergamasco 35/100, George Biagi 29/3, Marco Bortolami 34/110, Martin Castrogiovanni 33/107, Dario Chistolini 26/5, Alberto De Marchi 28/23, Simone Favaro 26/23, Josh Furno 25/24, Quintin Geldenhuys 33/52, Leonardo Ghiraldini 30/70, Andrea Manici 24/6, Francesco Minto 27/11, Sergio Parisse (capt) 31/108, Alessandro Zanni 31/86.
Scotland
It has been said before on more than a few occasions but let’s do it again. Scotland are looking a threat. The latest reasons for optimism are Glasgow’s continuing excellence and the arrival of Vern Cotter, the New Zealander with a steely eye. Initial impressions were positive in November, when Scotland kicked off with a swaggering 41-31 win over Argentina. Strength in depth is developing in a number of areas – an experienced front row are backed up by the Gray brothers in the second, where Cotter’s first appointment as captain, Grant Gilchrist, would also lend ballast, were he not injured. They are awash with exciting talent in the three-quarters too. It is in the back row, unusually, where things are looking a little stretched, with Dave Denton, Adam Ashe and Chris Fusaro among those injured, while Ryan Wilson is suspended following conviction for assault. They travel to France for their first game. Cotter, who took charge in May last year after a successful spell at Clermont Auvergne, will know which areas to target. Yes, the landscape is bright for Scotland but, yes, we have said it before.
Key player: Alex Dunbar
Scotland’s options in the centre are burgeoning and this bundle of pace and muscle is at their cutting edge. His partnership with Matt Scott could be one for the ages – unless Mark Bennett, two years younger at 22, breaks it up.
Squad: Backs Mark Bennett age 21 caps 2, Alex Dunbar 24/11, Dougie Fife 24/3, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne 21/0, Stuart Hogg 22/27, Peter Horne 25/5, Greig Laidlaw (capt) 29/34, Sean Lamont 34/91, Sean Maitland 26/15, Henry Pyrgos 25/13, Finn Russell 22/5, Matt Scott 24/21, Tommy Seymour 26/13, Greig Tonks 25/1, Tim Visser 27/15.
Forwards Johnnie Beattie 29/34, Hugh Blake 22/0, Fraser Brown 25/3, Blair Cowan 28/6, Geoff Cross 32/35, David Denton 25/23, Alasdair Dickinson 31/39, Ross Ford 30/80, Jonny Gray 20/8, Richie Gray 25/42, Jim Hamilton 32/57, Rob Harley 24/10, Euan Murray 34/62, Gordon Reid 27/6, Alasdair Strokosch 31/42, Ben Toolis 22/0, Hamish Watson 23/0, Jon Welsh 28/3.
Wales
Wales’s problems beating the southern-hemisphere nations are well known, if hardly exclusive, but when it comes to the northern they have absolutely none. Theirs is the most recent grand slam, and their bill of health entering this championship the cleanest. Why they should be third favourites is anyone’s guess, particularly when their two home games are against the first and second teams tipped for the title. Even the southern-hemisphere thing must be feeling a lighter burden than normal, seeing as Wales’s last game was a victory over South Africa. They kick off with a home game against England, who stumble into town nursing a horrible list of injuries. The roof may or may not be shut but the lights will be on, the voices deafening and quarter nowhere to be found. Three of their remaining four matches are be on the road but against sides below them in the world rankings. Wales would struggle to cope with the injury woes England have now but at full strength they are pacy, powerful and packed with Lions and grand-slam experience.
Key player: Samson Lee
Adam Jones has left the stage, allowed to do so in no small part owing to confidence in this young prop. But if Lee should go down (and he has been injured lately) Wales’s platform may yet wobble.
Squad: Backs Cory Allen age 21 caps 2, Hallam Amos 20/1, Gareth Anscombe 23/0, Dan Biggar 25/28, Alex Cuthbert 24/30, Gareth Davies 24/1, Jonathan Davies 26/43, Leigh Halfpenny 26/55, Tyler Morgan 19/0, George North 22/45, Mike Phillips 32/90, Rhys Priestland 28/32, Jamie Roberts 28/64, Rhys Webb 26/9, Liam Williams 23/18, Scott Williams 24/27.
Fowards Scott Andrews 25/9, Scott Baldwin 26/5, Jake Ball 23/8, Luke Charteris 31/50, Kristian Dacey 25/0, Bradley Davies 28/44, Rob Evans 22/0, Taulupe Faletau 24/40, Richard Hibbard 31/33, Paul James 32/57, Aaron Jarvis 28/5, Gethin Jenkins 34/110, Alun Wyn Jones 29/84, James King 24/3, Samson Lee 22/9, Dan Lydiate 27/41, Justin Tipuric 25/27, Sam Warburton (capt) 26/49.
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