The battle for northern hemisphere rugby union bragging rights kicks off on Saturday — who will lift the trophy after five weekends of blood, sweat and beers?
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After seeing the southern hemisphere sides dominate the World Cup last Autumn, champions Ireland plus England, France, Italy, Scotland and Wales can work out their frustrations by clattering into one another.
The Irish have won the championship for the past two years, last time after a gripping final day where the Welsh and English also came close to taking the trophy themselves. Will it be that close again?
Here, Mirror columnist and former England scrum-half Matt Dawson gives his run-down on each team, names the key man for the six sides and reveals how he thinks the table will look after the final round of games on March 19.
ENGLAND
Coach Eddie Jones (Australia)Captain Hooker Dylan Hartley
Fixtures Scotland (Away, Saturday), Italy (Away, Sunday February 14), Ireland (Home, Saturday February 27), Wales (Home, Saturday March 12), France (Away, Saturday March 19)
Matt Dawson’s verdict For all the change that’s taken place since the World Cup, the squad and team has a familiar feel to it — and I suspect the final table will too. England will experience an Eddie Jones ‘bounce’, but I don’t think it will take them higher than second - where they finished in all four seasons under previous coach Stuart Lancaster.
Last 5 Six Nations finishes (2010-15) 1-2-2-2-2
Player to watch Scrum-half Danny Care
Matt Dawson's prediction Second
FRANCE
Coach Guy Noves (France)Captain Hooker Guilhem Guirado
Fixtures Italy (Home, Saturday), Ireland (Home, Saturday February 13), Wales (Away, Friday February 26), Scotland (Away, Sunday March 13), England (Home, Saturday March 19)
Matt Dawson’s verdict France have embarrassed themselves in the Six Nations since finishing second to England in 2011. Now they have a new head coach and a very different squad, but would I back them to top the Six Nations? I would not. Not even top-four in fact. Lot of talent, no cohesion.
Last 5 finishes 2-4-6-4-4
Championship honours 9 GS, 17 6N
Player to watch Back-row Louis Picamoles.
David Davies/PA Wire
IRELAND
Coach Joe Schmidt (New Zealand)Captain Hooker Rory Best
Fixtures Wales (Home, Sunday), France (Away, Saturday February 13), England (Away, Saturday February 27), Italy (Home, Saturday March 12), Scotland (Home, Saturday March 19)
Matt Dawson’s verdict Injuries to key men, a tough start against the Welsh and trips to Paris and Twickenham convince me that defending champions Ireland won’t complete the first ever Six Nations title hat-trick. You don’t lightly dismiss any team which boasts Johnny Sexton, but I can’t see them finishing ahead of both Wales and England.
Laurence Griffiths/Getty
Championship honours 2 GS, 12 6N, 10 TC
Player to watch Fly-half Johnny Sexton
Matt Dawson's prediction Third
ITALY
Coach Jacques Brunel (France)Captain No 8 Sergio Parisse
Fixtures France (Away, Saturday), England (Home, Sunday February 14), Scotland (Home, Saturday February 27), Ireland (Away, Saturday March 12), Wales (Away, Saturday March 19)
Matt Dawson’s verdict Yet again, we’re talking about Parisse as a great leader and struggling to name-check anyone else in their side. Scotland at home is their one chance of a victory, and I wouldn’t back them to win that. Hopefully if Conor O’Shea does take charge in the summer as expected, things will change for the better.
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Championship honours 0 GS, 0 6N
Player to watch Parisse
Matt Dawson’s prediction Wooden-spoon
SCOTLAND
Coach Vern Cotter (New Zealand)Captain Scrum-half Greig Laidlaw
Fixtures England (Home, Saturday), Wales (Away, Saturday February 13), Italy (Away, Saturday February 27), France (Home, Sunday March 13), Ireland (Away, Saturday March 19)
Matt Dawson’s verdict These boys should have made the World Cup semi-finals. They deserved to beat Australia on the day, so let’s not make them out to be one-hit wonders. Players such as Laidlaw, Stuart Hogg, Willem Nel, John Hardie and brothers Johnny and Richie Gray brothers are quality. They can get a draw with England this weekend and finish top four.
Last 5 finishes 5-6-3-5-6
Championship honours 3 GS, 14 6N, 10 TC
Player to watch Laidlaw.
WALES
Coach Warren Gatland (New Zealand)Captain Flanker Sam Warburton
Fixtures Ireland (Away, Sunday), Scotland (Home, Saturday February 13), France (Home, Friday February 26), England (Away, Saturday March 12), Italy (Home, Saturday March 19)
Matt Dawson’s verdict Wales will be smarting over not reaching the World Cup semi-finals but Gatland will use that to fuel their desire. The previous two World Cups were followed by Welsh Grand Slams, and I see nothing to suggest that pattern will change. They have a squad packed with big-game experience and quality and a world class playmaker in fly-half Dan Biggar.
Championship honours 11 GS, 26 6N, 20 TC
Player to watch Biggar.
Prediction First
MATT'S PREDICTED FINAL TABLE
1 Wales
2 England
3 Ireland
4 Scotland
5 France
6 Italy
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