The battle lines have been drawn as the northern hemisphere's elite prepare to face off in a Six Nations like no other, with a wave of talent (both on-field and off) waiting to collide in a historic year for rugby.
England begin a new era under Steve Borthwick, who has a little more than six months to get ready for the 2023 Rugby World Cup after replacing Eddie Jones. Wales have a 'new' face of their own in charge, if four-time winner Warren Gatland can be called that after returning to the helm on emergency terms.
World No. 1 Ireland face a tall task in attempting to fleece titleholders France of the crown, while Scotland and Italy enter looking to spring more surprises. Ahead of what promises to be a Six Nations for the ages, Mirror Sport breaks down one player from each squad worthy of extra attention.
Who's your pick to be named Six Nations Player of the Tournament? Let us know in the comments section.
1. France - Nolann Le Garrec (Scrum-half, Racing 92)
One could argue there isn't a Tier One player right now who holds greater significance for their squad than 2021 World Rugby Men's Player of the Year Antoine Dupont. The Toulouse scrum-half is so critical to France's fortunes that the team's performance director, Thibault Giroud, dubbed Dupont's November suspension a blessing in disguise, as it forced Les Bleus to find solutions without their talisman.
And in the interest of finding that alternative formula, Fabien Galthie has named two uncapped No. 9s in Racing 92's Nolann Le Garrec and Leo Coly of Montpellier as deputies to Dupont, who was also named Player of the Tournament in last year's title-winning tilt. The duo have benefited from injuries ruling out last year's back-ups, Maxime Lucu and Baptiste Couilloud, but deserve their chances all the same.
Despite being three years Coly's junior, 20-year-old Le Garrec boasts a considerable edge in terms of Top 14 experience, while he was also an unused member of the French squad that toured Japan last July. There's a chance the Breton's tournament could pass without much prominence, but it could also prove the beginning of a much-needed path of discovery for France in an area that's crying out for depth.
2. Italy - Jake Polledri (Back row, Gloucester)
There are few stories in the Six Nations right now more tragic than that of Italy back-rower Jake Polledri, whose injury record in recent years may have derailed one of the most promising careers the Azzurri has ever seen. It's not overstatement to call the Bristol-born dynamo devastating when at his best, though there are question marks over whether the 27-year-old will reach the same heights again:
That's after missing almost two years of rugby following a horrific injury at the tail-end of 2020—Polledri 'fractured his leg, tore his calf and took his hamstring off the bone' in one fell swoop—not to mention the sudden death of his little brother, Sam, in early 2022. Despite playing only around 300 minutes for Gloucester this season, it speaks volumes that Italy head coach Kieran Crowley is so motivated to see him back in the squad that he's taken a punt on his selection regardless.
The Azzurri's back-row options have huge promise at present, too, with spirited young captain Michele Lamaro leading an impressive contingent that also contains bruisers like Lorenzo Cannone, Sebastian Negri and the tough-tackling Manuel Zuliani. However, Polledri remains the all-action asset that can still give Italy that edge when performing at his peak; the rugby world just has to hold its breath that he can return to those levels and stay there.
3. Ireland - Garry Ringrose (Centre, Leinster)
For too long did the tag of 'next Brian O'Driscoll' follow one star Leinster' centre around like a bad smell for the formative years of his career. Now, having stood up to those pressures and emerged on the other side the complete midfielder, the sport can really revel in the 'first Garry Ringrose'.
And Ireland is in need of its back-line linchpin at his best in what's become a critical area of the squad, particularly with Leinster team-mate Robbie Henshaw out of the selection following an injury absence. Connacht's Bundee Aki and Ulster's Stuart McCloskey are more known quantities as straight-running inside centres, leaving it largely up to Ringrose to generate some 'luck' at 13.
Although the inclusion of uncapped Jamie Osborne has created excitement in midfield, and Jimmy O'Brien has arisen as Mr. Versatile, it's Ringrose who'll be expected to run that show in the big games. And as Johnny Sexton enters one last Six Nations, his fellow Leinster talisman—who has five tries in nine club starts this season—could be putting his hand up as a future heir to the captaincy.
4. England - Ben Earl (Flanker, Saracens)
It seems somewhat uncouth to pick over Jones' faults during his time as England head coach now that the Borthwick era is underway. But if one were to be persuaded, there's reason to suggest not giving Ben Earl a single start in white despite capping the Saracen 13 times was one such error.
An early contender to be named Premiership Player of the Season, the former Bristol loanee continues to display freakish form with near-criminal consistency. While 35-year-old Dan Cole may have grabbed the headlines following his recall after more than three years out of England's squad, Earl's return in the back row is the real cause for excitement.
His chances of starting at openside in the February 4 opener against Scotland look promising given Sale's Tom Curry is out due to injury. A pest at the breakdown boasting some of the best carrying stats in the Premiership, it speaks volumes that the only game Sarries have lost this season in which he's played was one where he received a red card after just 29 minutes (against London Irish in December).
5. Wales - Mason Grady (Centre, Cardiff)
Gatland's first squad back in charge of Wales was always liable to contain a surprise or two, and there's a raft of Cardiff fans who will be elated Mason Grady was one of them. After all, what's not to like about a 20-year-old, 6'6" centre who tips the scales at around 110 kilograms and looks like he could give Louis Rees-Zammit a literal run for his money?
Having impressed mightily for the club's feeder side, Cardiff RFC, en route to winning the Welsh Premiership last season, Grady has grasped a bigger role in Dai Young's plans at the Arms Park this term. That's included tries on back-to-back weekends in the European Challenge Cup in December, as well as regular appearances in the United Rugby Championship.
With converted winger George North looking like the natural selection at 13, Grady—younger brother of former Cardiff and Wales centre Cory Allen—could be the natural back-up while also offering wing cover. Wales are as adept as any of their peers when it comes to blooding youngsters in high-pressure environments, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see Gatland throw Grady in at the deep end on occasion.
6. Scotland - Cameron Henderson (Lock, Leicester)
One of Scotland's two 'Camerons' with English heritage looking to do some damage at Twickenham in the first week of February—the other being Bath centre Redpath—Leicester lock Henderson enters this Six Nations somewhat under the radar. Born in Hong Kong but schooled in Scotland's academy set-up, the 23-year-old is targeting a breakthrough after seeing his chances scuppered during the Covid-hampered summer series of 2021.
That disruption hasn't deterred the 6'7" star in his pursuit of a senior Scotland cap, however, and Henderson has earned the chance after chipping away in the ranks of the current Premiership champions. Competition is rife with Gray brothers Jonny and Richie, as well as Grant Gilchrist and Sam Skinner vying for minutes in the row, but Henderson proved in a recent, rousing win at Clermont that he may be a bolter in the making.
It's not often England come to regret losing talent to their neighbours in the north, but there's a fine chance the Tigers talent will prove just that in years to come.
