The Six Nations kicks off this weekend with England going for a record third consecutive title. Standing in their way is an expectant Ireland, a floundering France, a wounded Wales and a Scotland side beginning to take shape. But first up for the defending champions is a trip to Rome to play the awkward Italians.
Wales v Scotland
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The visitors have therefore recalled prop Jon Welsh, who last featured in 2015, one of six changes to the XV that beat Australia 53-24 in November. Stuart Hogg, arguably the best full-back in world rugby, is fit again after missing the Aussie game, and coach Gregor Townsend believes Hogg forms part of a back-line that will ask questions of the Wales defence. Saying he had picked a team combining “the intensity and speed required to win in Cardiff”, Townsend added: “Last year’s championship highlighted that every game is a fierce competition and that all teams have to play at their very best to win away from home.”
Wales coach Warren Gatland has leaned heavily on the Scarlets in his selection, including ten of their players in his starting XV, and he hopes the players can carry their club form (Scarlets have qualified for the European Cup quarter-finals) into the Six Nations: “We looked at combinations and those guys are familiar with each other,” said Gatland. “That speeded up our preparation a little bit and hopefully will get us off to a good start.”
Kick off: 2.15pm, Saturday February 2Where to Watch: live on BBC
Ireland v France
French rugby has never been so low. Head coach Guy Noves was sacked in December after overseeing a six-match winless streak and last month police raided the French Rugby Union’s HQ as part of their investigation into alleged malfeasance. On the plus side, the pressure is off and that could work in their favour at the Stade de France. Much will depend on their fly-half, 19-year-old Matthieu Jalibert, who will win his first cap having being plucked from obscurity by new coach Jacques Brunel. He will face a baptism of fire from an Ireland side many rate as favourites to win this year’s title.
Ireland coach Joe Schmidt has handed a debut to three players - wing Jacob Stockdale, centre Bundee Aki and lock James Ryan - but in contrast to the raw Jalibert they have the reassuring presence at fly-half of Jonny Sexton, whose vast experience gained in 74 Test matches is likely to prove crucial in what should be an away victory.
Kick off: 4.45pm, Saturday February 2Where to Watch: live on BBC
Italy v England
England are eyeing an unprecedented third consecutive Six Nations crown, and it would be a serious upset if they were to start their title defence with a defeat. England alone of the Six Nations have never lost to Italy in the tournament, although they were given a fright last season when the Italians led at half-time at Twickenham after they tactically ambushed their hosts. Hence Courtney Lawes’ insistence that Sunday’s game in Rome represents a major test. “No game is easy,” said the England second row. “Honestly, on any given day any team can produce an upset or an unbelievable performance.”
Both sides will announce their starting XVs today but England have been boosted in recent days by the return from injury of wing Jack Nowell, full-back Mike Brown and flanker Chris Robshaw. Nonetheless, injuries to other regulars will usher in a couple of new faces. The Exeter duo of Sam Simmonds and Alec Hepburn are likely to start at No8 and loose-head prop respectively.
Italy “have a tricky team, and we don’t want to give them a chance to be involved in the game,” says coach Eddie Jones. “We’ve got to start the game strongly and make sure we close them out.”
Italy’s matchday squad is expected to include Irish-born fly-half Ian McKinley, whose eye mask makes him a distinctive presence. Eight years ago a stud punctured his left eyeball when he was playing for University College Dublin and he lost the sight in the eye. He retired but then made his comeback a couple of years later. Now he’s a Test player on the brink of his first Six Nations experience having qualified for Italy through the three-year residency rule. “The beauty of professional sport is that the journey never seems to come to an end,” he said. “It is good for the soul.”
Kick off: 3pm, Sunday February 3Where to Watch: live on ITV
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