The favourites to win the Six Nations
The Guinness Six Nations Championship has a cherished and permanent place on rugby union’s global landscape.
But as the European game’s blue riband tournament prepares for its 2020 edition, there is also an exciting new feel to it.
It might be barely 10 months since Wales signed, sealed and delivered a dream farewell gift to departing head coach Warren Gatland in the form of a Grand Slam, yet so much has changed.
The turnaround in coaches is such that only England boss Eddie Jones and Scotland’s Gregor Townsend remain in their positions from last season’s Six Nations showpiece.
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WATCH: Head coach Eddie Jones and captain Owen Farrell hold a press conference in London ahead of the start of the Six Nations tournament.
Gatland’s prodigious 12-year Wales reign came to an end after the World Cup in Japan, as did that of his fellow New Zealander Joe Schmidt, who left the Ireland job.
Add Conor O’Shea’s departure from Italy and Jacques Brunel stepping down in France, and this year’s competition promises to be a whole new ball game.
Wales have entrusted life after Gatland with another New Zealander – former Scarlets head coach Wayne Pivac – while Andy Farrell has been promoted from within to succeed Schmidt, Fabien Gathie has the reins in France, where ex-Wales defence guru Shaun Edwards is among his assistants, and South African Franco Smith leads Italy.
All the newcomers will be looking to make an immediate impression following contrasting World Cup campaigns, and it is what gives the tournament’s 21st staging a fresh dimension.
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Four new captains ?
Four new coaches ?
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…and lots of media ?– @heagneyl takes us behind the scenes at the @SixNationsRugby launch in London ? #GuinnessSixNationshttps://t.co/JTnacLMshc
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) January 22, 2020
England, unsurprisingly given their status as 2019 World Cup runners-up, are firm favourites with the bookmakers.
It is something they are afforded pretty much for every Six Nations, although the last nine years of championship action have produced an equal three-way split in title terms between England, Wales and Ireland.
England’s demolition of World Cup semi-final opponents New Zealand three months ago underlined what a force they can be, and despite being overpowered by South Africa a week later, Jones’ men arrive on the Six Nations stage accompanied by familiar expectation levels.
Two of their main rivals – Ireland and Wales – will be faced at Twickenham, and if England emerge unscathed from two early February away days in Paris and Edinburgh, then they could take some stopping.
But imagining the competition as one that might merely be England’s to lose, blissfully ignores claims of others – Wales, especially.
Pivac is a rookie in Test match terms, yet a five-year stint at the Scarlets underlined an attacking rugby mantra that is illustrated by his first Six Nations squad.
World Cup top try-scorer Josh Adams leads an armoury of game-breakers, and while Wales will miss injured midfield talisman Jonathan Davies’ presence, they are strengthened by scrum-half Rhys Webb’s recall and fit-again number eight Taulupe Faletau returning after injury.
In addition to a new head coach, Ireland have a change of captain, with fly-half Johnny Sexton taking over from the retired Rory Best.
An injury-free and fully firing Sexton enhances any team he plays in, and Farrell can call on a sizeable contingent of Leinster stars – Sexton included – that marched imperiously through the European Champions Cup pool stages as unbeaten top seeds.
France’s Six Nations campaign, meanwhile, could stand or fall on the outcome of their opener against England.
Les Bleus have only beaten England twice in the last eight Six Nations meetings, but a win on home soil following Galthie’s strong injection of youthful talent would ignite French revival hopes, whereas under Galthie’s predecessor Brunel, ordinary performances became the norm.
Ireland and France both made World Cup quarter-final exits, but Scotland did not get that far, crashing out at the pool stage when Japan defeated them in Yokohama.
Townsend has turned to full-back Stuart Hogg – Scotland’s biggest single attacking threat – to lead the side, yet a lack of consistency remains an issue, and they could find themselves in a scrap with Italy to avoid collecting the wooden spoon.
PA
Comments on RugbyPass
Mark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
9 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
3 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
1 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
1 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
5 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
9 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
2 Go to comments