And so it returns—and it did with a bang. Three great games that taught us how each side wants to play. France continued Wales’ losing streak, harking back to the 2023 Rugby World Cup pool stages; Ireland exhausted and threw everything to beat England; and misfiring Scotland and Italy went head to head in a fight whose scoreline could have been much closer.
New laws and continued trials also plague the competition, with the controversial and failure-riddled twenty-minute red card continuing on from the Autumn Nations Series. It must be noted that the twenty-minute red card is not being used in any professional Northern Hemisphere league or in the Rugby Europe Championship. Furthermore, “enhanced protection” for scrum-halves has been introduced, meaning that if they pick up the ball from the ruck but stand still, they cannot be tackled under the current interpretation.
Complaints about even more rule changes aside, this Six Nations looks to be another banger. Ireland are slowly being caught by their rivals, France have Dupont back, England and Scotland have a lot to prove, and Italy are no longer underdogs. So, where do we start? How about with the most important part—the predictions.
I could list predicted top try scorers (Louis Bielle-Biarrey) and top point scorers (Marcus Smith); however, I’d like to look at the other side of the tournament. What does each side want to achieve?
Ireland are looking to make it a triple, three Six Nations wins in a row. With Andy Farrell on Lions duty, Simon Easterby, the defence coach, has been promoted to the top job. A shaky start against England on the opening weekend will not have pleased the interim head, but there were signs of promise, especially from ever-incredible Jamieson Gibson-Park. On the other hand, Ireland were not well set in the scrum, with Andrew Porter once again being schooled by his opposition and pinged by the ref for engaging with the wrong angle.
Ireland’s ill discipline was apparent and had them a try disallowed after Maro Itoje was held back in a ruck by an Irish hand. Where Ireland were totally dominant in most matches last Six Nations, it has been eroded, and they are clinging to their best strategies as the other sides have found weaknesses in their system.
England has a lot to prove. Steve Borthwick’s men have been touted as a team that have been “building” since the former England lock took over the side in 2022. However, what are they building to? We have finally seen younger players like Caden Murley and Fin Baxter be selected, as well as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith being given free reign in the fly-half role,
Will England look to be a more dynamic attacking side? Probably so. With double World Cup winner Felix Jones having left his post as defence coach in 2024, England’s defensive shape has evolved further, and often is highly successful. Ireland may have sliced them open at the start of the tournament, but that should not discourage the ability of this English squad.
France has to win this Six Nations. Dare I say that they are the in-form Northern Hemisphere side? Brushing past Wales in the first match of the tournament was one statement, but what is even more interesting is how France are utilising their wings, with Bielle-Biarrey taking a “Cheslin Kolbe” approach, often appearing in the centre-field to great success. France knows that they can beat all of its competition, and quite frankly should. They finished the autumn unbeaten and look to continue their streak throughout the tournament. With Romain Ntamack back from injury, and Antoine Dupont tearing through defence like a cruise missile blasting through a barn door, they are certainly a force to be reckoned with.
The Scotland team is somewhat an interesting side. With captain Sione Tuipulotu ruled out with injury, Scotland’s backline has had to evolve and did so pretty well against Italy. Finn Russell managed to make rare mistakes, such as being intercepted by Nacho Brex for a wonderful score, but the likes of Tom Jordan and Darcey Graham both look good. Up front, Pierre Schoeman and Rory Darge are bulldozing across the gainline, and Scotland’s set piece looks tidy. However, Gregor Townshend’s men just don’t seem to have that winning edge, something I hope they find soon enough, or else they may only win two fixtures this tournament.
Italy is always a fun side to watch, but now they are serious as well. No longer that plucky side that would try so valiantly but ultimately fail, we expect the highest from them—and the highest is what they are starting to provide. A young squad with varying experience is unpredictable at times, but the likes of Tomos Melloncello and Ange Cappuozzo, as well as stalwart Sebastian Negri have evolved this Italy side under Gonzalo Quesada (who might just have the best name in rugby) for the better. They had their best ever Six Nations last year and might well improve on it this year. Can they finally defeat England? Could they even beat Ireland or France? It is impossible to tell, but I look forward to watching every minute of them playing.
Wales. The year 2008 comes to mind when I reflect on this Welsh squad. Why? Warren Gatland. The same strategies and tactics that may have worked a decade and a half ago seem to be utilised now, to a complete absence of success. There is no way to sugarcoat this. Unless Wales change coach, I cannot see them winning another match in 2025 or after. The talent exists, but it is either not selected (such as the case of Max Llewelyn) or is put in the wrong position (such as Ben Thomas playing 10 when he is a natural 12). Wales have encouraging moments, but they do not come from the coaching box, often it comes from a single player. I truly hope and pray that the WRU fires Gatland and drafts someone like Michael Cheika or Franco Smith, because Wales has a huge potential, but until there is this change, the same mistakes will continue to be made.
And there we have it. Bring on the Six Nations! International Rugby is back in 2025, and it starts with one of its golden children. Will my predictions be wrong? Probably. But I don’t care, I just want to watch the greatest sport be played by some of the greatest players. Hopefully Wales improves, maybe Italy can cause an upset. Let’s wait and see what brilliance is to come.