Woohoo! It's the Six Nations again!

Nothing else brings a smile to my face quite like it in February.   This is a thread for all folk of goodwill to chat in - surprised there isn't one already - so come and tell me how you rate your side's chances this year.

I'm excited by the England side. Think it looks good, especially in the forwards, but have no idea how they'll go in the backs: not a lot of International experience there. Can Farrell get them moving?

France as ever an enigma. Never have a clue how they'll go but as usual they look a mess. Which means precisely nothing.

Wales would be my clear favourites to win, but internal troubles and the pressure of a possible historic 3rd win on the trot make them hard to predict in my opinion.

Ireland seem to be in a bit of a transition. Or hole. No idea WHAT will turn up with them.

Scotland? Oh dear. It's a long time since David Sole's slow march out at Murrayfield and a fairly long time since they ambushed the Boks. But they carved up Ireland last year...

Italy: loads of guts and grunt but they've never ever found a back line that suits their style - more than any other nation in the competition they just don't have the numbers playing (as far as I know - open to correction....) They can always spring a surprise though.

So, I'd say if any side will get the Grand Slam this year it's the Welsh - man there's a load of talent there - but I fear their internal troubles and uncertainties will have a negative effect, so overall I think there will be no Slam winner as things look at present.

So France to win the competition is my guess at the start.   

Ireland have a lot to prove, JS has a job on his hands as I think the expectations for him are quite high. Good set of forwards and backs should see Ireland in the mix.

Wales, well not much to say because we all know about them. Can be brilliant or equally average. I expect them to be right in the mix come the end.

England, excellent pack but I always have questions about Farrell's ability to ignite the backs. Boring as they may be to watch, they are very effective at what they do. My pick for the 6N.

France, solid side with some inexperience. I think that they will perform better away from home to be honest. Could be in the mix.

Scotland, highly under-rated side but also a very decent side. If they can get their backs working well then they will shock a few.

Italy, cant see them winning a match this year even though they have a good team. No thumping's for them, just agonising close defeats.

In short, I expect a really close 6N (with no GS) and England winning on points.

Chuckle. Well I'm glad to see I'm not the only one without a clue who will do what, let alone win the competition. Though I think you might be right about Italy...

Just cant see Italy winning one this year, I always want them to do well. France is the team that still worry me though but if England come away with a win there today then I think they will struggle (well until they play Ireland).

Pinch and a punch for the first of the month and no returns.

Good luck to all this weekend. It's a great tournament and I know it means a lot to all who participate in it and rightly so. I will be cheering on Scotland tomorrow and this is the time of year where I find it tolerable to step inside an Irish pub and remember the joys of holding a pint glass.

On paper I have never been able to see Italy winning a game in the 6Ns, but I certainly recall them beating Scotland and France...They haven't beaten us yet I know but can't remember if they've ever beaten Ireland or Wales - at least not in the 6Ns. Oddly enough I think England are the most vulnerable at present if our backs don't fire and the forwards have an off day. They ought to have beaten us a couple of years back. Certainly not impossible this year if we go headless chicken.

Some Scottish heritage there Kia?    I have family connections with the Irish and according to family legend with the Scots too. Well, the Borders at least so it's anyone's guess  . Also, I really like this Welsh side's style so a win for any side in these islands can never truly upset me. But it's the England team I support, they are my lads and the adrenaline is already starting to pump. There is no competition that means more to me...

My old man actually represented Scotland Cowshot. Never played against NZ though as he only had a couple of games off the bench. But he did play Kel Tremain's touring side for Oxford University and that photo was proudly displayed in our living room. Will always cheer on Oxford as a result in the boat race.

Whanau or family makes you do crazy things. Like marrying in Spain dressed in a kilt. (good underground cooling though in 39 degrees. It was the top half that was suffering) But very proud of my roots as well as my birthplace.

Italy beat Ireland only last year and drew to Wales around 2006 off the top of my head. Scotland have beaten everyone but not Wales France or England away. That's what makes it interesting, 6 teams with a shot of winning or at least upsetting the balance, every single game.

Thanks Ineffable. I'm sure you're right but I can't recall it even now...with an Irish mother and a cousin who played for Ireland some years ago I can only assume I was in a state of disbelief and my mind refused to accept what I was seeing