2017 6 Nations Preview
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6 Nations Preview
England
Prospects: On a current win streak of 14 Test wins as they enter the tournament and lie four games away from equalling New Zealand’s world record for tier one successive Test wins and have the prospect of beating the record if they win all their games up to the final round.
England landed the grand slam last year, white-washed Australia in their summer tour before an encouraging Autumn Series with notable wins over South Africa, Argentina and Australia.
Issues: Injuries to the Vunipola brothers, Robshaw, Marler and Anthony Watson – deprive the squad of some of their key players.
Coach: Eddie Jones leads his side into another 6 Nations campaign as the tournament favourites. Jones has added to the structures put in place by Stuart Lancaster, he has quickly identified a game plan and chosen the players to implement his ideas.
Captain: Hartley retains the captaincy following another lengthy spell on the sidelines for striking. His leadership qualities cannot be denied, however, you are never quite sure what his next action might be. A strong candidate for Lions captaincy, the Saints hooker will be hoping to avoid controversy during the tournament.
Form: WWWWW
Last Year: Grand Slam Winners
Fixtures: France (H), Wales (A), Italy (H), Scotland (H), Ireland (A)
One to watch: Maro Itoje – The Saracens forward will once again look to stamp his authority on the competition. The athletic second-row, who can also feature in the back-row, has shown how pivotal he has become in the England side.
England squad for the RBS 6 Nations 2017:
Forwards: N Catt (Bath), J Clifford (Harlequins), D Cole (Leicester), C Ewels (Bath), E Genge (Leicester), J George (Saracens), T Harrison (Northampton), D Hartley (Northampton), J Haskell, N Hughes (both Wasps), M Itoje , G Kruis (both Saracens), J Launchbury (Wasps), C Lawes (Northampton), J Marler (Harlequins), M Mullan (Wasps), K Sinckler (Harlequins), T Taylor (Wasps), M Williams (Leicester), T Wood (Northampton).
Backs: M Brown, D Care (both Harlequins), E Daly (Wasps), O Farrell (Saracens), G Ford, J Joseph (Bath), A Lozowski (Saracens), J May (Gloucester), J Nowell, H Slade (both Exeter), B Te’o (Worcester), A Watson (Bath), M Yarde (Harlequins), B Youngs (Leicester)
Ireland
Prospects: Very successful November series with wins over New Zealand in Chicago and Australia provides momentum for the side. With France and England having to travel to Dublin, a favourable set of fixtures have come at an encouraging time for Irish Rugby.
There has been a resurgence in Irish club rugby at the moment with Leinster and Munster rejuvenated in the Champions Cup. This could easily have a positive effect on the national team.
Issues: Injury concerns to Johnny Sexton & Sean O’ Brien, both face a fitness race to be ready for Ireland’s opener in Murrayfield on Saturday.
Coach: The Ireland head coach, Schmidt has already guided Ireland to back-to-back 6 Nations titles and the New Zealander will be looking to strike with his side on a rich vein of form. With a lot of depth in the squad, Schmidt will have to make some tough selection decisions with the host of stars at his disposal.
Captain: From leading Ireland to a win over New Zealand, ending a 111-year wait for a victory. Best went on to make his 100th Test appearance in a heroic win over Australia in the November Series. The experienced Ulster hooker will be hoping to further enhance his prospects of becoming the 2017 Lions captain in New Zealand. His work at the breakdown, tackle ethic, and support play makes him lead by example.
Form: WLWWLLW
Last Year: 3rd
Fixtures: Scotland (A), Italy (A), France (H), Wales (A), England (H)
One to Watch: Robbie Henshaw – The Leinster centre scored the game-clinching score in Chicago in an outstanding performance. Henshaw has become a world-class centre, solid defensively but it is his lines of running, support play, pace and footwork that has seen him rise to the top.
Ireland squad for the RBS 6 Nations 2017:
Forwards: F Bealham (Connacht), R Best (Ulster, capt), J Conan(Leinster), U Dillane (Connacht), T Furlong, C Healy, J Heaslip (all Leinster), I Henderson (Ulster), B Holland, D Kilcoyne (both Munster), D Leavy, J McGrath, S O’Brien (all Leinster), T O’Donnell, P O’Mahony, D Ryan, J Ryan, N Scannell, CJ Stander (all Munster), D Toner, J Tracy, J Van der Flier (all Leinster).
Backs: T Bowe (Ulster), A Conway, K Earls (both Munster), C Gilroy (Ulster), R Henshaw (Leinster), P Jackson (Ulster), R Kearney (Leinster), K Marmion (Connacht), L Marshall, S McCloskey (both Ulster), L McGrath (Leinster), C Murray (Munster), T O’Halloran (Connacht), G Ringrose (Leinster), R Scannell (Munster), J Sexton (Leinster), A Trimble (Ulster), S Zebo (Munster)
Wales
Prospects: Wales last tournament win came in 2013 under the helm of current interim coach Rob Howley, as Warren Gatland prepares for another Lions Tour. They opened up the 2013 campaign losing to Ireland but went on to win the tournament. With Ireland & England at home, a win in either of those fixtures could see Wales feature in the latter stages of the tournament.
Coach: Rob Howley takes over from Warren Gatland, who fills the role of Lions head coach for a second term. Howley, who is usually the Wales backs-coach, has seen his side struggle in attack over the Autumn Series. If he can ensure Wales can become successful with a new brand of free-flowing, expansive rugby, Wales are sure to become the feared force of old.
Captain: Alun-Wyn Jones takes over the role as he replaces the departure of Sam Warburton. With the latter, being given the chance to concentrate on rediscovering some form. Jones is a superb competitor and athlete. He is a strong contender to captain the Lions in the summer if his, and Wales’s, form can hold up through the Six Nations.
Form: WWWLLLL
Last Year: 2nd
Fixtures: Italy (A), England (H), Scotland (A), Ireland (H), France (A)
Wales squad for the RBS 6 Nations 2017:
Forwards: S Andrews (Cardiff Blues), N Smith (Ospreys), R Evans (Scarlets), R Jones (Ospreys), T Francis (Exeter), S Lee (Scarlets), K Dacey (Cardiff Blues), K Owens (Scarlets), S Baldwin (Ospreys), J Ball (Scarlets), A W Jones (Ospreys, capt), R Thornton (Ospreys), L Charteris (Bath), C Hill (Newport Gwent Dragons), J King (Ospreys), J Tipuric (Ospreys), O Cracknell (Ospreys), R Moriarty (Gloucester), T Faletau (Bath), S Warburton (Cardiff Blues), T Young (Wasps).
Backs: L Halfpenny (Toulon), L Williams (Scarlets), G North (Northampton), S Evans (Scarlets), A Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), A Hewitt (Newport Gwent Dragons), S Williams (Scarlets), J Davies (Scarlets), J Roberts (Harlequins), O Williams (Leicester), S Davies (Ospreys), D Biggar (Ospreys), G Davies (Scarlets), R Webb (Ospreys), A Davies (Scarlets)
Scotland
Prospects: With the Scottish club sides in rude health, as Glasgow and Edinburgh have both progressed to the quarter-finals of their respective competitions. Scotland enter the tournament as under dogs but have the quality to cause some upsets. Last year they lost narrowly at home to England and away to Wales. Scotland have more depth than in previous campaigns and a host of players who are playing their way into selection for the Lions.
Coach: Vern Cotter will take up a new position with Montpellier at the start of next season. A decent 6 Nations last year followed on from an excellent 2015 World Cup. He has challenged the players to improve their skill sets, and they are seeing the benefits, while offering the squad more rounded patterns.
Captain: Grieg Laidlaw provides the team with direction and has a good feel for space on the fringes and in behind opposing teams. A very accurate place-kicker and is tactically astute presence at the breakdown.
Form: WWLWWLW
Last Year: 4th
Fixtures: Ireland (H), France (A), Wales (H), England (A), Italy (H)
One to Watch: Huw Jones was born in Edinburgh, educated at Millfield in Somerset and plays for the Stormers in South Africa. Glasgow Warriors are trying to secure his services for next season. He was capped on Scotland’s summer tour to Japan and in his first start at 13 he scored a brace of tries against Australia in November.
Scotland squad for the RBS 6 Nations 2017:
Forwards: A Allan (Glasgow), J Barclay (Scarlets), S Berghan (Edinburgh), F Brown (Glasgow), A Dell (Edinburgh), C Du Preez (Edinburgh), Z Fagerson (Glasgow), R Ford (Edinburgh), G Gilchrist (Edinburgh), J Gray(Glasgow), R Gray (Toulouse), J Hardie (Edinburgh), R Harley (Glasgow), S McInally (Edinburgh), G Reid (Glasgow), J Strauss (Glasgow), T Swinson (Glasgow), B Toolis (Edinburgh), H Watson (Edinburgh), J Welsh (Newcastle), R Wilson(Glasgow).
Backs: M Bennett (Glasgow), A Dunbar (Glasgow), S Hogg (Glasgow), D Hoyland (Edinburgh), H Jones (Stormers), G Laidlaw (Gloucester), S Maitland (Saracens), A Price (Glasgow), H Pyrgos (Glasgow), F Russell (Glasgow), M Scott (Gloucester), T Seymour (Glasgow), D Taylor (Saracens), T Visser (Harlequins), D Weir (Edinburgh)
France
Prospects: With trips to London and Dublin certainly not ideal for Guy Noves charges, the injury to key centre Wesley Fofana is sure of dented confidence in camp. The half-back partnership and finding a partner for Gael Fickou in midfield is the key to unlocking France’s potential, as there is enough quality in the squad.
Coach: Guy Noves has taken his time to put his stamp on this crop of French players. Narrow defeats to Australia & New Zealand in the November Test series, both matches in which they could have won, suggests that he is capable of building a team that can compete with the very best in the world.
Captain: Guilhem Guirado has taken over from Thierry Dusautoir and Pascal Pape. He is an excellent all round player with huge stamina, he possesses the qualities needed to lead France during the 6 Nations.
One to Watch: Scrumhalf Baptiste Serin has made a positive impact since his debut on last year’s summer tour to Argentina. He won 3 caps during the November series as backup to the injured Maxime Machenaud and is a skilful operator, who can place kick.
Form: LLWWLLL
Last Year: 5th
France squad for the RBS 6 Nations 2017:
Forwards
Uini Atonio (La Rochelle), Cyril Baille (Toulouse), Eddy Ben Arous (Racing 92), Mohamed Boughanmi (La Rochelle), Camille Chat (Racing 92), Damien Chouly (Clermont Auvergne)
Loann Goujon (Union Bordeaux-Bègles), Kevin Gourdon (La Rochelle), Guilhem Guirado (RC Toulon), Arthur Iturria (Clermont Auvergne), Raphaël Lakafia (Stade Francais), Julien Le Devedec (Brive), Yoann Maestri (Toulouse), Clement Maynadier (Union Bordeaux-Bègles)
Louis Picamoles (Northampton Saints), Fabien Sanconnie (Brive), Rabah Slimani (Stade Francais), Sebastien Vahaamahina (Clermont Auvergne)
Backs
Djibril Camara (Stade Francais), Yann David (Toulouse), Jean-Marc Doussain (Toulouse) Gael Fickou (Toulouse), Mathieu Bastareaud (RCT Toulon), Yoann Huget (Toulouse) Rémi Lamerat (Clermont Auvergne), Camille Lopez (Clermont Auvergne), Maxime Machenaud (Racing 92), Noa Nakaitaci (Clermont Auvergne), Geoffrey Palis (Castres Olympique), Baptiste Serin (Union Bordeaux-Bègles), Scott Spedding (Clermont Auvergne) Virimi Vakatawa (FFR)
Italy
Prospects: With three home games in Rome, The Azzurri will be hoping to get off to a fast start as they host Wales in their 6 Nations opener. The new coaching staff have brought fresh ideas and have given the squad a sense of identity once again. With an encouraging November success over South Africa, they will be hoping to push on from that result.
Coach: Irishman, Conor O’ Shea will look to build on solid foundations already established during his tenure. The need to find three or four Test calibre players who will propel Italy in becoming a competitive test nation. Consistency is the goal over the campaign, as a famous win over SA was followed up by a loss to Tonga. The Italians have the right man in charge if they can provide him with the resources.
Captain: The ageless Sergio Parisse is a veteran to the Italian squad. He has carried Italian rugby for the duration of his career. He is one of the all-time great players to have played the game and has helped to put Italy on the rugby map.
Form: LWLWWLL
Last Year: 6th
One to Watch: Carlo Canna will be given the number 10 jersey at the start of the tournament. The Zebre out-half will take on the place kicking duties and he will be central to Italy's attacking game. He has been short listed as one to watch by his head-coach.
Italy squad for the RBS 6 Nations 2017:
Forwards
Pietro Ceccarelli (Zebre Rugby, 5 caps), Dario Chistolini (Zebre Rugby, 15 caps), Lorenzo Cittadini (Aviron Bayonnais, 53 caps), Andrea Lovotti (Zebre Rugby, 9 caps)*, Sami Panico (Patarò Calvisano, 6 caps)*, Tommaso D'Apice (Zebre Rugby, 11 caps)*, Ornel Gega (Benetton Treviso, 8 caps), Leonardo Ghiraldini (Stade Toulousain, 82 caps), George Fabio Biagi (Zebre Rugby, 14 caps), Joshua Furno (Zebre Rugby, 36 caps)*, Marco Fuser (Benetton Treviso, 16 caps)*, Federico Ruzza (Zebre Rugby, uncapped)*, Andries van Schalkwyk (Zebre Rugby, 8 caps), Marco Barbini (Benetton Treviso, 2 caps), Simone Favaro (Glasgow Warriors, 33 caps)*, Maxime Mata Mbanda (Zebre Rugby, 3 caps)*, Francesco Minto (Benetton Treviso, 31 caps), Sergio Parisse (Stade Francais, 121 caps), Abraham Jurgens Steyn (Benetton Treviso, 5 caps)
Backs
Giorgio Bronzini (Benetton Treviso, 3 caps), Edoardo Gori (Benetton Treviso, 56 caps)* Marcello Violi (Zebre Rugby, 2 caps)*, Tommaso Allan (Benetton Treviso, 27 caps) Carlo Canna (Zebre Rugby, 15 caps), Tommaso Benvenuti (Benetton Treviso, 37 caps)*Tommaso Boni (Zebre Rugby, 2 caps)*, Michele Campagnaro (Exeter Chiefs, 25 caps)*Luke McLean (Benetton Treviso, 84 caps), Giulio Bisegni (Zebre Rugby, 5 caps) Angelo Esposito (Benetton Treviso, 8 caps)*, Giovanbattista Venditti (Zebre Rugby, 38 caps)*, Edoardo Padovani (Zebre Rugby, 6 caps)
