Are ravaged Wales facing a Six Nations mission impossible?
Ireland and Wales meet in Dublin on February 5 to launch the penultimate Guinness Six Nations before the 2023 World Cup.
Here the PA news agency examines five talking points heading into an event that sees France or England as favourites to seize Wales’ crown.
Wales face mission impossible
Wales are the champions who have consistently punched above their weight by becoming the competition’s most successful side since 2005, but surely even this remarkable rugby nation will be unable to defend their title. Seasoned campaigners Alun Wyn Jones, Josh Navidi, Justin Tipuric, Ken Owens and Leigh Halfpenny have been ruled out of the entire tournament through injury, while two more stars in George North and Taulupe Faletau could also miss out altogether. The depth of Wayne Pivac’s squad is being tested to its limits, but it also presents the stage for newcomers in the mould of Taine Basham and Louis Rees-Zammit to showcase their talents.
Eddie’s quest for consistency
England’s rollercoaster ride under Eddie Jones took another plunge downwards last year in the form a fifth-place finish in the Six Nations, on points difference their worst performance since Italy joined the competition in 2000. The team has been reshaped into ‘New England’ in a genuine overhaul that has seen go-to players of the Jones era such as the Vunipola brothers and Elliot Daly culled. A clean sweep of autumn victories over Tonga, Australia and South Africa has restored confidence but another finish near the wrong end of the Championship table would be unacceptable.
Smith takes centre stage
At the heart of the excitement building around England’s new direction is Marcus Smith, the highly gifted playmaker who has yet to put a foot wrong in five caps. He showed real maturity in a 27-26 victory over world champions South Africa in November, emerging from his toughest test yet with his reputation enhanced. The 22-year-old’s flair in attack has always been obvious, but it is his generalship that has shown the greatest improvement. A first Six Nations provides a new challenge, however, as Smith must prove he can deliver at the highest level when the distance is a marathon and not a sprint.
Dupont’s France on the march
Of all the teams involved, it is France who have the greatest capacity to animate the tournament as they continue building for the 2023 World Cup they are hosting. In Antoine Dupont they possess the world’s finest player who has redefined the role of a scrum-half, while an array of attacking threequarters are provided ample quality ball by one of the game’s strongest packs. A first victory over New Zealand on home soil since 2009 lit up their autumn and has lifted expectations heading into the Six Nations.
Scotland hint at new era
While Wales have excelled, Scotland’s epic quest for Six Nations glory continues. It is been 22 years since they last lifted the crown – Italy were not even part of the competition then – but could this be their year? Victories in London and Paris in 2021 is evidence of a side now able to mix it with the best and after supplying a large contingent to the Lions tour of South Africa, there is an abundance of talent in their ranks with the magical Finn Russell unrivalled as an attacking fly-half. It is an exciting time for Scottish rugby, but their past is littered with false dawns so cautious optimism is advised.
Comments on RugbyPass
The side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
4 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
4 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
4 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
4 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to commentsShame he won’t turn out for the Netherlands now they’re improving. U20s are Euro champs and in the U20 Trophy this year. The senior sides gets better every year too.
3 Go to commentsWill rugbypass tv be showing these games?
1 Go to commentsWell where do you start, the fact that England have a professional domestic league and Ireland’s is fully amatuer, that they have fully seperated professional squads at Fifteens and Sevens (7’s thinly disguised as GB), and Ireland have fully pro Sevens squad who loan some players back to the Semi-Professional Fifteens squad (moved from amateur for only a year or so) for a few games at 6N & RWC’s. The Women’s games is a shambles, and is at risk of killing itself by pushing for professionalism when the market isn’t really there to support it outside one or two countnries..
6 Go to comments