The best annual sports tournament in the world kicks off in just over two weeks time on Friday February 2nd with what might have been the 2023 World Cup final - France v Ireland.
Squads are due to be named at some point next week I think. I’m off to Wales v Scotland and Wales v France this year
Games will be live on either ITV and BBC. Some early broadcasting news is that Sir Clive Knobhead has stepped down as a pundit, which everyone will be pleased about though I expect Jonny Woodenson and Dallaglio will still have roles along with Mark Poogatch.
England have won the last two tournaments following a World Cup, and look like a good shout having somehow finished third. No Farrell of course, who is taking a break from international rugby so a new captain, likely to be Jamie George, will be named. There is a bit of an injury crisis at prop, so perhaps there’s a risk of being beaten up front with raw players. Word is that Borthwick’s squad will be much changed. English teams have done well in the European matches so far this season so perhaps it’s their year. First two games are away to Italy and at home against Wales so could get on a run.
Wales are rebuilding too, but are suffering from a lack of money which means that regional rugby is dead and a lot of players are leaving Wales for more lucrative contracts which means if they have less than 25 caps they are no longer eligible for Wales. Players with contracts in Japan are also not available. As the golden generation of players retires - Biggar in particular - it looks grim but Gatland might pull something out of the bag. First two games are at home to Scotland and then up to Twickenham against England.
Ireland have just announced that Andy Farrell is coaching the British & Irish Lions so he will take a leave of absence from December. They’ve lost Johnny Sexton and whether they can effectively replace him is the big question. Those they’ve tried before have largely not proved to be the answer. They also have a few injuries on the wing. As a team they’re well drilled, and what they do is very effective, but without the conductor, it remains to be seen what can the orchestra do. This feels like a team that’s past their peak, with their domestic teams struggling in Europe this season too. They begin in France, and will probably lose that, and if they do Italy at home will take the backlash.
France might be suffering from a World Cup hangover too - and also don’t have Antoine DuPont who is off playing 7s ahead of the Olympics and Ntamack the fly half is still injured. Mind you Jalibert his likely replacement is a great player. That said this team is for my money still to peak, and they have my favourite player in winger Damian Penaud. France aren’t playing their matches in Paris this year due to the Olympics - they kick off against Ireland somewhere in France; then go to Murrayfield to play Scotland.
I haven’t followed what’s going on in Scotland much this season, but I imagine they’ve got a few new South Africans recruited to the cause as a change. Every few years there is a bit of a false dawn about Scottish rugby but I don’t think they’ve ever won more than 3 matches in the 6N so I can’t see that changing, it would be good if it did though. First tournament without the recently retired love rat Stuart Hogg, though he has been past his best for a while. They’re off to Cardiff for the first weekend then after that host France.
Italy will probably be shit. There isn’t much more I can say really. They have a good mix of young players and some “recruited” players with Italian heritage who will be familiar to observers of English rugby such as Paolo Odogwu and Dino Lamb. They are doing well at the U20 level I think, but it never seems to translate to their senior side. Their first two matches are England at home and then away to Ireland.
Squads are due to be named at some point next week I think. I’m off to Wales v Scotland and Wales v France this year
Games will be live on either ITV and BBC. Some early broadcasting news is that Sir Clive Knobhead has stepped down as a pundit, which everyone will be pleased about though I expect Jonny Woodenson and Dallaglio will still have roles along with Mark Poogatch.
England have won the last two tournaments following a World Cup, and look like a good shout having somehow finished third. No Farrell of course, who is taking a break from international rugby so a new captain, likely to be Jamie George, will be named. There is a bit of an injury crisis at prop, so perhaps there’s a risk of being beaten up front with raw players. Word is that Borthwick’s squad will be much changed. English teams have done well in the European matches so far this season so perhaps it’s their year. First two games are away to Italy and at home against Wales so could get on a run.
Wales are rebuilding too, but are suffering from a lack of money which means that regional rugby is dead and a lot of players are leaving Wales for more lucrative contracts which means if they have less than 25 caps they are no longer eligible for Wales. Players with contracts in Japan are also not available. As the golden generation of players retires - Biggar in particular - it looks grim but Gatland might pull something out of the bag. First two games are at home to Scotland and then up to Twickenham against England.
Ireland have just announced that Andy Farrell is coaching the British & Irish Lions so he will take a leave of absence from December. They’ve lost Johnny Sexton and whether they can effectively replace him is the big question. Those they’ve tried before have largely not proved to be the answer. They also have a few injuries on the wing. As a team they’re well drilled, and what they do is very effective, but without the conductor, it remains to be seen what can the orchestra do. This feels like a team that’s past their peak, with their domestic teams struggling in Europe this season too. They begin in France, and will probably lose that, and if they do Italy at home will take the backlash.
France might be suffering from a World Cup hangover too - and also don’t have Antoine DuPont who is off playing 7s ahead of the Olympics and Ntamack the fly half is still injured. Mind you Jalibert his likely replacement is a great player. That said this team is for my money still to peak, and they have my favourite player in winger Damian Penaud. France aren’t playing their matches in Paris this year due to the Olympics - they kick off against Ireland somewhere in France; then go to Murrayfield to play Scotland.
I haven’t followed what’s going on in Scotland much this season, but I imagine they’ve got a few new South Africans recruited to the cause as a change. Every few years there is a bit of a false dawn about Scottish rugby but I don’t think they’ve ever won more than 3 matches in the 6N so I can’t see that changing, it would be good if it did though. First tournament without the recently retired love rat Stuart Hogg, though he has been past his best for a while. They’re off to Cardiff for the first weekend then after that host France.
Italy will probably be shit. There isn’t much more I can say really. They have a good mix of young players and some “recruited” players with Italian heritage who will be familiar to observers of English rugby such as Paolo Odogwu and Dino Lamb. They are doing well at the U20 level I think, but it never seems to translate to their senior side. Their first two matches are England at home and then away to Ireland.
They look like they've got tiny little arms which only just reach when they're trying to bind together. Keep expecting them to lift the hooker, who's also a bit fucking big, off the floor and run with him.
