The Weekend Pre Six Nations 2012 Previews are out...! What are your thoughts on their thoughts...?

Paul Ackford for The Telegraph on Sunday wrote:

France

Captain: Thierry Dusautoir.

Coach: Philippe Saint-André.

What’s changed since the World Cup? Apart from a new coach, not much. Saint-André has retained 17 members of the squad which got France to the World Cup final for his first match against Italy.

Can do: Infuriating, sulky, lethargic, petulant. Former coach Marc Lièvremont might not have been the full ticket but professional athletes shouldn’t have behaved the way the majority of the French squad did in New Zealand.

Can’t do: All that romantic, off-the-cuff, wispy stuff partly because Test rugby isn’t like that anymore, but mainly because France believe in muscular efficiency these days.

All eyes on: Imanol Harinordoquy, the world’s best No 8 when the mood takes him.

Prediction: First.
Killer fact: France do well in the even years. Of the five occasions they have won the title in the past decade, four have come in 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2010, the single exception occurring in 2007.

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Ireland

Captain: Paul O’Connell.

Coach: Declan Kidney.

What’s changed since World Cup? Brian O’Driscoll is out for the season. That’s worth repeating. BOD IS NOT AROUND. Aaargh.

Can do: The big performance, usually fuelled by a sense of injustice or, alternatively, destiny. The filleting of England’s Grand Slam ambitions in last season’s Six Nations and the deconstruction of Australia at the World Cup are perfect examples.

Can’t do: Consistency. The so-called golden generation of O’Gara, O’Driscoll and O’Connell have only delivered one Grand Slam (2009) in the last decade, a serious case of under-achievement.

All eyes on: A back row packed with aggression and destructive power.

Prediction: Second.

Killer fact: Munster, Leinster and Ulster are all through to the knockout stages of the Heineken Cup for the first time. Irish rugby is on the march.

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Wales

Captain: Sam Warburton.

Coach: Warren Gatland.

What’s changed since the World Cup? The hype. There’s even more of it. Expectations surrounding this talented, young side have kept on rising, and Sam Warburton has been deified. Gavin Henson is back too.

Can do: Play quick, intelligent, entertaining, challenging rugby based around the thump of Jamie Roberts, George North and Adam Jones.

Can’t do: Turn potential into fulfilment, sustain a commanding line-out and persuade an adoring and expectant public not to get ahead of themselves.

All eyes on: Mike Phillips if he goes anywhere near a late night Cardiff burger bar.

Prediction: Third.

Killer fact: There were well more than 10,000 one-eyed posts on the Telegraph website protesting Warburton’s innocence after Alain Rolland sent him off in the World Cup semi-final.

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Scotland

Captain: Ross Ford.

Coach: Andy Robinson.

What’s changed since the World Cup? Chris Paterson (809 points, 109 caps and 22 tries) has retired, and Andy Robinson has piled the pressure on himself and his team, suggesting that recent results have not been acceptable.

Can do: Togetherness, chaos, belligerence, destruction. Scotland are invariably defined by how much they prevent the opposition playing rather than what they create themselves.

Can’t do: The 50-metre, three-sidestep, two-dummy break. Gregor Townsend was the last man to fit into that category, and he is now the beleaguered attack coach. Scott Johnson has been hired to find solutions but he starts next season.

All eyes on: Who starts at outside-half now that Ruaridh Jackson is likely to miss the first game

Prediction: Fourth.

Killer fact: Under Robinson, Scotland have scored just 20 tries in 24 matches, conceding 38.

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England

Captain: To be decided; probably on a game by game basis until injured players return.

Coach: Stuart Lancaster.

What’s changed since the World Cup? What hasn’t changed. Martin Johnson, Jonny Wilkinson, Steve Thompson, Mike Tindall, Nick Easter, John Wells, Mike Ford, training venues, old ways… You name it, all gone.

Can do: PR and coaching school kids. Lancaster’s construction of a new image for English rugby after the polluted atmosphere at the World Cup has been faultless.

Can’t do: Field an experienced side. The grey beards say that successful international teams are built on a core of veterans. England, partly through choice and partly through circumstance, have lost theirs. Can youthful enthusiasm triumph? We’re about to find out.

All eyes on: The final quarter of the first game against Scotland. It will set the tone and expectation for the rest of the championship.

Prediction: Fifth.

Killer fact: Danny Grewcock was the last Englishman to score a try at Murrayfield. It came way back in 2004, the last time England won at the venue.

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Italy

Captain: Sergio Parisse.

Coach: Jacques Brunel.

What’s changed since the World Cup? Jacques Brunel has replaced Nick Mallett as coach, old codger flanker Mauro Bergamasco is back after missing last season’s Six Nations, and Italy have moved to the Stadio Olimpico, a much bigger venue.

Can do: The one-off victory, scrummaging and sensational pasta. But that’s it. For the last four years they have finished at the foot of the table, making it nine in their 12 seasons.

Can’t do: Wallow in their scrummaging power. Italy are a midfield and a productive half-back combination away from a decent side.

All eyes on: The length of time the great Sergio Parisse has on the ball. The more he is involved, the less potent Italy are as a genuine team because they offer little else.

Prediction: Sixth.

Killer fact: Italy have never beaten England.

The Independent on Sunday wrote:

England

Stuart "Lanny" Lancaster will be re-nicknamed "Dynamo" if he shuffles his deck at Murrayfield and they all come up trumps. A new-look team may have a Saracens midfield three of Charlie Hodgson, Owen Farrell and Brad Barritt – that's two new caps for starters, and there may be at least two more in the back row, plus a new captain. Toby Flood, Manu Tuilagi and Tom Wood could return from injury as the tournament goes on – but as a rescue act or to reinforce a winning team?

Nightmare: A week's retreat with the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Pope backfires when half the newly well-behaved England squad refuse to play against France because it's on a Sunday.

Dream: Owen Farrell kicks 33 points in a 33-0 win at Murrayfield and is immediately co-opted into the coalition government as "Scottish independence tsar".

Prediction: Third.


France

France's coach, Philippe Saint-André, might have penned the fixture list himself – Italy and Ireland at home should give the World Cup runners-up two wins to begin with. True, Les Bleus lost in Italy last year, and if the Italians or the Irish do something amazing in Paris, the petulant infighting that made the previous coach Marc Lièvremont's life a misery may return. France's players are busy with league matches this weekend, which is bizarre and unhelpful, but as the world player of 2011 and France's fine captain, Thierry Dusautoir, put it: "No one said to be the French coach is easy."

Nightmare: A vengeful Lièvremont takes Saint-André hostage on the eve of France winning the Grand Slam, leaving new assistants Yannick Bru and Patrice Lagisquet to lift the title.

Dream: France's previous four Grand Slams were in even years, and they were champions in 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2010. Nice numbers.

Prediction: Champions.


Ireland

The Wales coach, Warren Gatland, was in charge of Ireland when Brian O'Driscoll made his Six Nations debut in 2000. This year the green giant of a centre is injured, which Gatland described, rightly, as "a huge loss for Ireland as a leader, something potentially for us to take advantage of". Wales also have fresh memories of beating Ireland at the World Cup, when they stunted the dynamic Sean O'Brien on the gain line. If O'Brien and Paul O'Connell can get that "go-forward" and Ireland start with a win, they could afford their usual defeat in Paris and still finish well.

Nightmare: The oldest team in the tournament show Declan Kidney why he should have pensioned half of them off years ago.

Dream: O'Driscoll's stand-in, Keith Earls, banishes memory of last August's England friendly, when Manu Tuilagi skated past him, and comes of age as a Test centre.

Prediction: Second.


Italy

Bottom of the pile in six of the past seven years, though whitewashed only in the first of those (2005), can the Azzurri dare to hope for a repeat of the two victories (at home to Wales and away to Scotland) that brought fourth place in 2007? England at the Olympic Stadium on the second weekend and Scotland to finish will be their prime targets. "We beat France last year and they ended up in the final of the World Cup," said Italy's captain and high-quality Stade Français No 8, Sergio Parisse. However, he stopped short of predicting a repeat result for the Azzurri in Paris next week.

Nightmare: Their cavernous new home ground swallows up their traditional home advantage.

Dream: New coach Jacques Brunel, 58, reveals a surprise ancestral link to Isambard Kingdom Brunel, prompting a flood of interviews with previously uninterested English newspapers.

Prediction: Fifth.


Scotland

The year of the Scots' previous top-two finish in the Championship? Here's a clue: it was still known as the Five Nations back then. That's right, it was 1999, when Scotland were champions and Gregor Townsend, Alan Tait and friends scored tries for fun. Just one against England next week would be handy, as an inability to finish shattered Scotland when they lost to the same opponents and Argentina at the World Cup.

Nightmare: Knowing that kicks have earned two wins and a draw against England at Murrayfield since 2004, Scotland roll Chris Paterson on to the field with a Zimmer frame, only for him to miss in the last minute of a 0-0 draw.

Dream: The buoyancy from the free-scoring Edinburgh making the last eight of the Heineken Cup is carried over as the Scots trounce England and win for the first time in Cardiff since 2002.

Prediction: Sixth.


Wales

While Ireland have three teams in the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup, the Welsh regions, yet again, have barely registered. Add to that injuries to the midfielders Rhys Priestland and Jamie Roberts and three of the World Cup front-five – Alun Wyn Jones, Luke Charteris and Gethin Jenkins – and the opening trip to Dublin looks daunting. As Gatland warns: "The Six Nations is all about momentum." On the upside, the tighthead prop Adam Jones is fit and Sam Warburton is a match for anyone at flanker.

Nightmare: The now customary trip to Poland's ice chambers to top up the fitness tanks backfires when Adam Jones's curly hair freezes and falls out, leaving him bald for thetrip to Ireland.

Dream: Super-talented and still improving, Leigh Halfpenny, George North and James Hook rediscover the euphoria of reaching the World Cup semi-finals.

Prediction: Fourth.

The Observer on Sunday wrote:

England

Since the World Cup Wholesale change. Head coach Martin Johnson resigned and many of his coaching team went too, their cause not helped when player feedback on a shoddy campaign was leaked to a newspaper. The Saxons coach Stuart Lancaster took over for the Six Nations and included nine uncapped players in his squad. The class of 2003 is now but a memory: Jonny Wilkinson, Steve Thompson and Lewis Moody have retired; Mike Tindall was dropped.

Key player Difficult to know exactly how Lancaster's England will take shape but look out for the Saracens fly-half/centre Owen Farrell, who became the second member of his family, after his father, to be brought into the new regime. "I guess I am loud and I am a big mouth," the 20-year-old says of his on-pitch persona. He can be the sought-after ball-playing No12 alongside fellow Saracens, the fly-half Charlie Hodgson and fellow centre Brad Barritt.

Paul Rees's verdict Last year's champions, this year's outsiders after a wretched World Cup campaign on and off the field. The interim head coach, Stuart Lancaster, has pledged a heads-up approach but his first two games are away, against Scotland and Italy, even if they are two countries for whom the words home and advantage do not go together often enough. Murrayfield will be a test of nerve as much as ability.

Prediction 3rd

France

Since the World Cup The World Cup finalists are under new management and they have already sprung a surprise by calling up the Stade Français prop David Attoub for the opening match with Italy. In the second row Yoann Maestri is in line to make his debut after being named alongside Lionel Nallet and in-form Pascal Papé. Out goes the full-back Clément Poitrenaud but his Toulouse colleagues Maxime Médard and Vincent Clerc are picked in the back three.

Key player After the World Cup was won (by one point) by the All Blacks it is a measure of the talent of Thierry Dusautoir, that he was the IRB's player of the year in 2011. With mutiny raging in the French camp the captain kept his head and his redoubtable defensive effort and adept ball handling in the final were inspirational. Dusautoir expects nothing less than to win this tournament. "The second goal is to start to build up our team."

Paul Rees's verdict Philippe Saint-André is expected to be less eccentric than Marc Lièvremont. His sides have always been built on a strong pack and an accurate goal-kicker. France can be a moody side, a hostage to caprice, but should become more consistent, if volatile, under Saint-André and his choice of outside-half will be instructive. Home advantage against England and Ireland makes them favourites.

Prediction 2nd

Ireland

Since the World Cup Not much has changed. Brian O'Driscoll's absence would have been more worrying were Keith Earls, Tommy Bowe or Fergus McFadden not making decent cases for selection, while Luke Fitzgerald's virtues have been ignored altogether. Paul O'Connell brings natural leadership in O'Driscoll's stead. Denis Leamy and Darren Cave are injured while Geordan Murphy, Tomás O'Leary and Isaac Boss will be used only in extremis.

Key player Ireland's outside backs look sharp while the pack has the kind of stellar ensemble cast that makes picking out a key player a tricky task but all roads can conceivably lead to Jonathan Sexton, who at 26 years old should be looking to end Ronan O'Gara's claims on the No10 shirt and become one of the tournament's dominant figures. The Leinster man can provide both insurance from his boot and inspiration with the ball in hand.

Paul Rees's verdict They look good odds at 9-2, even with trips to France and England, but they are hardly daunting, given their clubs' record in Europe. Will they play with the hand-brake on or look to get into top gear? Even without O'Driscoll they look the most settled side and it will come down to their approach. Declan Kidney is regarded as a conservative coach, still dithering between Sexton and O'Gara at outside-half. Time to go for it.

Prediction 1st

Italy

Since the World Cup Gone is the wily Nick Mallett and into his shiny Italian brogues steps a Frenchman, Jacques Brunel, with the aim of converting the perennial wooden spooners into genuine contenders over the next two campaigns. Four fresh faces are called up as the new broom sweeps in: the Aironi pair Alberto de Marchi and Giovanbattista Venditti, the 21-year-old centre Luca Morisi and 18-year-old winger Angelo Esposito.

Key player When Italy find themselves in crisis on the pitch, they turn to their hulking 28-year-old No8 and captain Sergio Parisse for inspiration. His ability to read the lineout well and graft the hard yards over the gain-line makes the Argentina-born Italian the Azzurri's go-to guy in extremis. After beating France in Rome last year he plans to shine again against England, first up at the Stadio Olympico – "a big challenge, big responsibility".

Paul Rees's verdict Brunel has pledged to adopt a more expansive approach and to turn Italy into title contenders. Sergio Parisse and Martin Castrogiovanni would make their mark in any squad but Italy lack strength in depth and do not have enough options behind. They are in Paris on Saturday after beating France last year for the first time. The home fixture against Scotland may decide who gets the wooden spoon.

Prediction 6th

Scotland

Since the World Cup Chris Paterson announced his retirement from internationals, depriving Scotland of a goalkicker but ending the debate over where he should play. Kelly Brown has been ruled out of this year's campaign and Ross Ford will captain the side in his absence. The row over Steven Shingler's eligibility has proved an unwelcome distraction, as has Rory Lamont's rather odd 140-character assassination of Barack Obama.

Key player With Ford throwing to the excellent Richie Gray in the second row and Rory Lawson or Chris Cusiter at scrum‑half Scotland should not be lacking in ball but John Barclay, indisputably the tournament's best specialist openside, will have a vital role to play in greasing the cogs that keep Andy Robinson's relatively guileless side moving forward. With Brown injured, keeping Barclay fit will be crucial to Scotland's hopes.

Paul Rees's verdict England at Murrayfield is probably the best start for a side that failed to make the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time at the hands of the auld enemy. Scoring tries is Scotland's problem: they have drawn a blank in 13 of Andy Robinson's 24 Tests, one of the reasons Scott Johnson will become the chief assistant coach at the end of the season. It is not that they play a limited campaign: they need to find a cutting edge.

Prediction 5th

Wales

Since the World Cup A spate of injuries has hampered Warren Gatland's desire for progress. There are hearty Welsh welcomes back for Stephen Jones and James Hook (for the injured Rhys Priestland) and the prodigal Gavin Henson has another chance to dust off the white boots. Gethin Jenkins will miss part of the Six Nations with a knee injury while Jamie Roberts (knee) and Dan Lydiate (ankle) are doubts for the Ireland fixture.

Key player Last seen in the stands as Wales's World Cup hopes crumbled before the weeping 23-year-old's eyes, Sam Warburton,will be out to exorcise the hellish disappointment that followed that tackle against France.The openside flanker feels this year's championship is "wide open" but has a weather eye on the final fixture - those cursed French again and chance for revenge at a sold-out Millennium Stadium.

Paul Rees's verdict Wales were within a few centimetres of making the World Cup final despite playing for an hour against France with 14 men and were one of the best conditioned teams in NZ but the physical effort they put in before the tournament is taking its toll. It is more like the end of April than January for many of the players who are unavailable through injury. A team to watch but perhaps not in the next couple of months.

Prediction 4th

Planet Rugby's Predictions and Analysis wrote:

France

With arguably the strongest squad (on paper at least), a highly-rated coach and a favourable draw, the recent World Cup finalists must fancy their chances of recapturing the Six Nations crown lost to England a year ago.

Last year: Les Bleus finished last year's Championship as runners-up as they continued to display the inconsistency that became the hallmark of the Marc Lièvremont era. A big win over Wales on the last day might have brought a semblance of respectability to France's campaign in terms of the final standings, but the 2011 tournament will be remembered for that infamous loss to Italy. After an unconvincing victory in Ireland, the defending champions' lack of spark was exposed at Twickenham and their inability to lift themselves against the Azzurri spoke volumes of the rocky relationship between the national coach and his players. That they rode roughshod over a very good Welsh side just a week later and then went on to lose to Tonga only to nearly upset the All Blacks in the World Cup final was further proof that when the stars align, this generation of French players have the capacity to be unstoppable. But finding that elusive combination of elements isn't easy.

This year: Enter Philippe Saint-André. Unlike his predecessor, France's new boss arrives with a recognised coaching pedigree and solid track record for managing the egos of 'stars'. In contrast to Lièvremont, PSA has made no grand promises of 'returning to French flair' and the like. Professionnalism has been a recurrent theme in the new coach's utterings which has been largely welcomed by both old and new faces, of which there are - unsurprisingly - relatively few. The XV de France will start the new era with a tricky transition phase as both assistant coaches - Yannick Bru and Patrice Lagisquet - are still contracted to their respective clubs, Toulouse and Biarritz. Of the six nations, France will have the least preparation time, meaning we might not see their full potential in the first few weeks.

Key players: The core of France's World Cup squad remains intact with skipper and IRB Player of the Year Thierry Dusautoir still very much the rock on which the team is built. The French pack has been their principal strength over the last few years with hooker William Servat and number eight Imanol Harinordoquy recognised as being amongst the best players in the world in their respective positions. Amongst the backs, uncapped Wesley Fofana has been tipped for big things in midfield alongside his skipper at Clermont, Aurélien Rougerie. Who is chosen to play at fly-half between the free-running François Trinh-Duc and kicking maestro Lionel Beauxis will go a long way to determining France's style.

Prospects: As usual, France will aim for nothing less than the title and home games against both Ireland and England will certainly aid their cause. Kicking off against Italy in Paris presents the perfect opportunity to smooth into the new era. Look out for odds on a Grand Slam showdown with Wales in Cardiff on March 17.

England
A team in transition is a term used regularly and it seems none more so than with England since 2003. Expectations are that they will not win the Championship but must show promise in order to give momentum to Stuart Lancaster's successor. Who knows, maybe Lancaster will thrive and go full-time?

Last year: Champions. It could have been a Grand Slam for England after they opened up with wins over Wales, Italy, France and Scotland before the wheels came off in Dublin as Ireland took the spoils 24-8. All was looking rosy for Martin Johnson's side during the Championship as Chris Ashton was combining superbly with Ben Foden while Tom Wood was making his mark on the international scene. They also had the warm blanket of Jonny Wilkinson waiting on the bench should they need to close out a game. It was an ultimately successful campaign that seems a long time ago now after what happened in New Zealand.

This year: Where to start? After a disappointing World Cup and then the shambles that was the leaked player reports, Johnson is gone along with Mike Ford, John Wells, Brian Smith and Dave Alred. Only scrum guru Graham Rowntree remains and will form a new-look team with Lancaster and Andy Farrell for the Six Nations. There have also been plenty of retirements and trips abroad that see Lewis Moody, James Haskell, Simon Shaw, Jonny Wilkinson and Steve Thompson just some of the names who won't be involved this time around. Into the mix on the playing side come the likes of Owen Farrell, Ben Morgan, Mouritz Botha and Brad Barritt while there is a return to the squad for Charlie Hodgson. However, it will be tough for these players to settle into international rugby so soon and subsequently third place is arguably the best England can expect against the settled Welsh, Irish and French. The game with Scotland is key.

Key players: When blooding a fresh team it is important to begin by starting with the basics and build from there. England need a solid set-piece which means Alex Corbisiero, Dylan Hartley and Dan Cole need to front up at scrum time. Tom Croft is also now a senior player and his unrivalled ability will possibly be called upon more so than before in 2012. Behind the forwards the probable naming of Brad Barritt and Owen Farrell is going to be a vital area for Lancaster's side. If they can translate their club form into the Test arena, then soon-to-be team-mate Chris Ashton could be amongst the tries.

Prospects: The result against Scotland at Murrayfield cannot be downplayed as defeat would mean the pressure would be increased when England head into the cauldron that is the Stadio Olimpico. Imagine two losses on their back before taking on Wales, France and Ireland? On the flip side, huge confidence would be gained by two opening wins and so we wait to see how quickly Lancaster can rebuild this squad, which has little Test experience. Fourth place for us.

Wales

Wales enter the Six Nations as hot favourites following their remarkable run at the World Cup in New Zealand. The big question though is whether they can kick on and land their second Six Nations title under coach Warren Gatland. They're unquestionably good enough to do it, but will they crumble under pressure?

Last year: Wales had a tiny chance of snatching the Six Nations crown off England - who had earlier been taken apart by Ireland - if they managed to beat France by 27 points in Paris. After suffering an opening defeat to England in Cardiff, Wales' mini-renaissance of three consecutive wins had formed the platform of their unlikely tilt at the title. In the end, the salient margin became the 10-point win needed by France to leap-frog Wales into second place while Gatland's troops were condemned to fourth.

This year: This time last year Wales entered the Six Nations under immense pressure having failed to record a single Test victory in seven consectutive attempts. Now they are favourites thanks to their World Cup heroics. Three of their five games are in Cardiff, while an opening weekend trip to Dublin is underpinned by the knowledge that Wales knocked Ireland out of World Cup contention at the quarter-final stage. However, injuries have not been kind to the Welsh who have to soldier on without the likes of locks Luke Charteris and Alun-Wyn Jones and hooker Lloyd Burns, while fly-half Rhys Priestland and prop Gethin Jenkins will miss the opening match in Dublin with flanker Dan Lydiate also in doubt. It's an early blow that Gatland can certainly do without, but still has plenty of talent to overcome this injury hurdle.

Key players: Toby Faletau caused a storm at the RWC in New Zealand, playing all seven of last year's World Cup matches, and was arguably Wales' find of the tournament where he finished as his team's top tackler and carrier. Needless to say, much of the same will be required. The same goes for Wales captain Sam Warburton - minus the red cards of course. However, even his sending off in the World Cup semi-final against France failed to damage Warburton's reputation as one of the rising stars of the game. In the backs, with Shane Williams retiring from Test rugby, it's a simple case of out with the old and in with the new as George North continues to make waves out wide.

Prospect: The gutsy displays shown throughout the World Cup, prove that Wales have the potential to go all the way... if they manage to keep fifteen men on the field for 80 minutes and make their kicks at goal count.

Ireland

Ireland will be confident of winning the title despite being without Brian O'Driscoll, who is missing for the entire tournament due to shoulder surgery. They have a tough start - opening with Wales and France - but with a strong pack and provincial form, they will fancy their chances.

Last year: Beating the English in the 2011 finale somewhat papered over a poor Six Nations from Ireland as they fell to France and Wales. What was also worrying was their ability to only narrowly overcome Italy and Scotland as once again they couldn't translate the form of Munster and Leinster onto the international stage. What made life frustrating was that they could have overcome France had hooker Sean Cronin not dropped the ball with the try-line begging. Would Declan Kidney's side have then sneaked the title? Personally, O'Driscoll scored three tries for his country while Jamie Heaslip got two.

This year: What's new? Not much, but is that the problem? 'Tried and tested' is one phrase used by pundits while some readers are going with 'tired and tested'. We expect the same starting pack that fronted up against Wales in New Zealand to run out in the opening fixture, with only Fergus McFadden and maybe Jonathan Sexton replacing BOD and Ronan O'Gara. Off the field and it seems Gert Smal will remain in the coaching set-up despite rumours of him returning to South Africa. They are serious contenders of that there is little doubt but if the Irish fail to push hard for the title this year then it is likely heads will roll.

Key players: Three names immediately jump out of their pack and they are Cian Healy, Sean O'Brien and Stephen Ferris. That trio have been devastating for Leinster and Ulster respectively and also starred at the World Cup. Both the aforementioned flanks are carrying machines while Healy compliments them well in open play. Outside the forwards and the Irish possess Jonathan Sexton and Rob Kearney, with the latter having regained his form of 2009 for the Lions.

Prospects: Is their opener with Wales in Dublin the Six Nations decider? Some say yes, but the majority will no doubt be in agreement that if they defeat France the following week in Paris then the road to glory will have been eased considerably. Anything less than first or second will be a disappointment.

Scotland

Can Scotland avoid another wooden spoon battle with Italy and instead make a strong enough bid for a title they have not won since the tournament was expanded to six teams at the turn of 2000?

Last year: Scotland finished the 2011 Six Nations with a flourish, ending a run of four straight losses and thus avoiding the wooden spoon in the process with victory over Italy at Murrayfield - their first Championship win at their home ground in two years. The match also saw Nick De Luca touch down for Scotland's first try at Murrayfield since November 2009, while head coach Andy Robinson celebrated his second Six Nations win in 10 attempts but his first at the home of Scotland rugby. Prior to that winning result on March 19, the Scots had a rather forgetful campaign after entering the tournament with plenty of promise on the back of five wins in six Tests. However, an opening loss to France, was followed by two home defeats to Wales and Ireland before going down to England in a tight tussle at Twickenham.

This year: If Scotland conjure up repeat performances like the ones displayed at the World Cup, then their loyal supporters are in for a frustrating season ahead yet again. The Scots managed to score only four tries throughout their World Cup campaign and lost close games they should have won, resulting in the disappointment of becoming the first Scotland squad not to make the World Cup quarter-finals. Yet Andy Robinson's position remains safe all the way to 2015. In order to make a splash in this year's Six Nations, the former England boss badly needs a fresh approach to galvanise a hopelessly one-dimensional side or the nightmare of taking home the dreaded wooden spoon could become a harsh reality. They have a chance to take advantage of an under-fire England team going through a rebuilding phase under a caretaker coach in the tournament opener at Murrayfield. They couldn't have asked for a better fixture to kick-off their campaign, with the added chance of revenge thrown into the mix against the auld enemy. However one feels that if they let this opportunity slip, then the remainder of the tournament will be an uphill battle with a tough away game against Wales to follow before taking on France at home and then Ireland in Dublin.

Key players: Scotland received an early injury blow with news that loose forward Kelly Brown will miss the entire tournament. In his absence, 53-times capped hooker Ross Ford has secured the armband and will be required to lead the team from the front. His experience though is priceless, and commands the respect of his team-mates and opponents. Behind him, Richie Gray - with his mop of shaggy blond hair and fearless attitude on the pitch - will once again be a force to be reckoned with. Gray may be only 22, but has become a cult hero in Scottish rugby and already has the makings of a world-class player. In the backs, uncapped Glasgow pivot Duncan Weir may get a chance to showcase his kicking skills if given the chance but needs a poor showing from Ruaridh Jackson and Dan Parks for it happen.

Prospects: There's a genuine feeling that Scottish rugby is in the ascendancy after Edinburgh reached the Heineken Cup quarter-finals as pool winners. However, as mentioned already, the Calcutta Cup clash with England will shape the tournament for Scotland. Win and a strong tournament is possible. Defeat and a repeat of the last two tournaments is likely and Robinson's position may be placed under scrutiny. Fixtures with World Cup semi-finalists Wales, World Cup finalists France, World Cup quarter-finalists Ireland and Italy follow, with the match in Rome potentially once again being the wooden spoon decider.


Italy

Italy step into a brave new era with the ambition of evolving from regular Wooden Spooners to mid-table contenders.

Last year: Although the Azzurri finished the 2011 tournament at the foot of the Six Nations table, last year will go down as one of the most memorable in the history of Italian rugby thanks to two huge performances at the Stadio Flaminio. On the opening weekend, Ronan O'Gara's last-gasp drop-goal broke Italian hearts as Ireland escaped defeat by the skin of their teeth but France were not so lucky a month later. That historic one-point win was a milestone in the development of Italian rugby and was the culmination of four years under Nick Mallett's guidance. Unfortunately, a 46-point thrashing at Twickenham and a feeble showing in defeat at Murrayfield illustrated that there are many years of hard work ahead before the Tifosi can celebrate their first title.

This year: Former Perpignan coach Jacques Brunel has a massive task on his hands as he aims to build on the platform created by Mallett. While his predecessor long bemoaned the lack of quality backs to match the formidable Azzurri pack, Brunel has taken a positive approach to the situation - in front of the press at least - and has spoken of finding a 'more balanced game' for Italy. Easier said than done. There are handful of new players in the squad that few outside of Italy would have heard of but Brunel has a record of doing a lot with limited resources. His ambition of moving Italy into the top six in the world does however seem a touch overambitious. Nevertheless, the prospect of the men in blue giving the ball a bit more air - at their temporary home at Rome's Olympic Stadium - will be welcomed by most supporters. Whether it works remains to be seen.

Key players: What would Italy be without Sergio Parisse? One of the finest back rows around, the skipper is still the best player in blue. Leicester prop Martin Castrogiovanni is no spring chicken but remains the king-pin in a fearsome front row. Meanwhile, full-back Andre Masi became the first Italian to be voted the Player of the Tournament last year.

Prospects: Don't expect Brunel to work miracles overnight. Once again, Italy's main ambition will be to win one home game and their final fixture against Scotland is their best opportunity to do so. Trips to Paris, Dublin and Cardiff and a visit from defending champions England make for a rather unfavourable draw.

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:These predictions are just a bit of fun waiting for the tournament to start. I don't think there's anything too controversial in them.

I can't help but get the feeling though with injuries and the enigma that is France, this 6N seems to be starting on a very even playing field. France look like the strongest squad but they have mental frailties other sides don't have to such an extent. The other sides all have key injuries in key positions and the centre pairing seems to be a problem area for a lot of teams.

So who can best exploit the opposition weaknesses and who can turn the game to their own strengths is an unknown at the moment. The first weekend will provide a clearer account of where everybody is at test level. France have a pedestrian start to their 6N so are in a good position to judge how the other teams are going before they play them. The other sides don't have it so easy and need to be on their game right from the get go.

SecretFly wrote:There are five teams with a realistic chance of winning a championship. - Five? - Yes, I did say five. France do have a realistic chance too

Seriously though, Scotland - if they get a little luck going their way that other sides always mention as a plus - then they too could be in the running come the closing stages.

I don't see any clear cut no-hopers in that band of 5. As majestic says, the initial games will give us a better clue but, even then, first week performances aren't always that much of a yardstick. So 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th? Well, it's with the gods.

SafeAsMilk wrote:"Killer fact: There were well more than 10,000 one-eyed posts on the Telegraph website protesting Warburton’s innocence after Alain Rolland sent him off in the World Cup semi-final."

Ackford