France will look to make history as the first team of the Six Nations era to register back-to-back Grand Slams in the prestigious tournament’s 129th edition.
Les Bleus are the last side to claim consecutive clean sweeps, but that was in 1997 and 1998 in the Five Nations era. Ireland enter the tournament as the world’s top-ranked team, but France won all 12 of their 2022 Tests.
England and Wales have new coaches, while an experienced Scotland and youthful Italy are both itching to make good on rich promise. Here, Nick Purewal runs the rule over all six Test teams ahead of this weekend’s big kick-off.
England
Head coach: Steve Borthwick. Former England captain turned detail-focused, driven coach. Takes the helm for the first time having led Leicester to the 2022 Gallagher Premiership title.
Captain: Owen Farrell. Saracens and Lions playmaker starts the competition at inside centre but could also feature at fly-half as Borthwick’s tenure beds in. Consummate competitor determined to drive England back to form and winning ways.
Ones to watch
Ollie Hassell-Collins: Pacy London Irish finisher will make his Test debut in Saturday’s Calcutta Cup clash against Scotland at Twickenham. A livewire talent in attack, powerful in defence and strong under the high ball, the 24-year-old also boasts a smart kicking game. A major talent full of potential.
Freddie Steward: Leicester full-back has developed into one of the globe’s best high-ball fielders, can cut an attack through power, pace and footwork and knows how to finish. Absolutely crucial to England’s new set-up.
Ellis Genge: The snarling loosehead prop is officially one of two vice-captains under Borthwick. Genge led Borthwick’s Leicester to last term’s Premiership title before returning to hometown club Bristol. If the “Baby Rhino” is on the charge across the gainline, England will be doing something right.
What they’ve said
Head coach Steve Borthwick: “When you wear the England shirt, fight is non-negotiable. We want to make Twickenham proud, we want to make the people proud. I’ve picked players because of what they do at their clubs, I’ve picked them because of their super strengths. I’ve told them to go out and do what they do best. We’re unbelievably proud, and we cannot wait.”
Tournament prediction: Third.
France
Head coach: Fabien Galthie. Former Montpellier coach who has transformed France from ragged also-rans to one of the world’s top Test teams.
Captain: Antoine Dupont. Peerless scrum-half has it all, a Rolls Royce pass, pinpoint tactical kicking, pace on the break, astute tactical play and no little physicality.
Ones to watch
Gregory Alldritt: A fixture since breaking through at No 8 in 2019, and helped La Rochelle to their maiden Champions Cup title in 2022.
Romain Ntamack: The son of ex-France wing Emile Ntamack, the Toulouse fly-half boasts a partnership with Dupont as smooth as it is deadly. Has the pace to match Dupont’s acceleration and a skill-set to unlock a threat-laden backline outside him.
Damian Penaud: The Clermont wing who will just as easily step out of traffic and race to the line as sneak a midfield break, all the while boasting arch finishing prowess.
What they’ve said
Defence coach Shaun Edwards: “Rugby’s a very, very tactical game. Emotion, passion, physicality, it’s all important – but if you don’t have any tactics, at Test level, you’ll get found out. So that’s where we’ve improved as a team, we’re tactically more aware.”
Tournament prediction: Winners (no Grand Slam).
Ireland
Head coach: Andy Farrell. The former dual-code international and ex-England assistant coach has dragged Ireland to even greater heights than predecessor Joe Schmidt. A maiden Test series win in New Zealand capped a stunning 2022 and Farrell’s men enter the tournament as the world’s top-ranked team.
Captain: Johnny Sexton. The Leinster and Lions fly-half remains pivotal to Ireland’s chances. The 37-year-old continues to deliver, and has shaken off a facial fracture in quick time to be fit for the start of the tournament.
Ones to watch
Andrew Porter: Looks like a WWE star or muscled-up heavy metal fan but is quiet, unassuming and respect personified off the field. On the pitch it’s all Rage Against The Scrum Machine in startlingly effective fashion, with the Leinster man a vital set-piece weapon and a marauder with ball in hand.
James Ryan: The towering second row runs the lineout, locks out the scrum on the tighthead side and is equal parts savvy tactician and major nuisance. Would grace any team sheet.
Hugo Keenan: The man to take the 15 jersey into a new era as the long-term successor to the illustrious Rob Kearney.
What they’ve said
Captain Johnny Sexton: “The doctors said if you had to break one bone in your face, that’s the one to break. So I’m completely good to go.”
Tournament prediction: Second.
Italy
Head coach: Kieran Crowley. A World Cup winner with New Zealand in the inaugural 1987 competition, he later coached Taranaki and New Zealand Under-19s before a stint as Canada boss. Five years with Benetton preceded his ascent to the Italy job in 2021.
Captain: Michele Lamaro. The Benetton back-rower took the armband from Luca Bigi in 2021 and has set about driving through a new generation of Italian talent.
Ones to watch
Ange Capuozzo: The Toulouse speedster won World Rugby’s breakthrough player of the year award last season. The fleet-footed wing has conjured several postage-stamp finishes for his French club this term, and looks primed to step on to new heights.
Sebastian Negri: The Benetton flanker was born in Zimbabwe and is a product of famed Gloucestershire rugby nursery Hartpury College. A powerful ball-carrier with no lack of nous.
Danilo Fischetti: The 25-year-old loosehead prop continues the Italian tradition of strong scrummaging, having made a quick impact at London Irish after joining the Exiles in the summer.
What they’ve said
Head coach Kieran Crowley: “This time last year everyone was asking us whether the Six Nations should have promotion and relegation. This year no one has asked. We’re out here to gain respect and credibility for Italian rugby, but that’s for others to decide on.”
Tournament prediction: Sixth.
Scotland
Head coach: Gregor Townsend. Former Scotland and Lions playmaker who loved a maverick attack on the field but has a more measured, but still offensive-based, approach to Test management.
Captain: Jamie Ritchie. The Edinburgh flanker took the captaincy for the November 2022 Test series. An abrasive, smart back-row forward who appears in tune with what his head coach wants.
Ones to watch
Finn Russell: The livewire fly-half that Townsend would have loved to play alongside, but at times leaves his head coach tearing out his hair. Has patched up a previously rocky relationship with Townsend, and will trade Paris’ Racing 92 for Bath after the World Cup.
Stuart Hogg: The Exeter full-back is at his best scything through midfield on clean breaks, or offering up his services as an auxiliary playmaker. A fine counter-attacker too, the 30-year-old remains a vital component of Townsend’s side.
WP Nel: The epitome of scrum cornerstone, the 36-year-old exploits his compact, powerful frame to full effect to lock out the Scottish set-piece.
What they’ve said
Head coach Gregor Townsend: “Finn Russell’s one of the most skilfull players ever to play the game. He’s coming into his prime years, where physically you’re still able to compete but you also that knowledge of 10 years playing number 10.”
Tournament prediction: Fifth.
Wales
Head coach:Warren Gatland. The uber-successful Kiwi coach is back for a second bite of the Welsh cherry. Wayne Pivac’s tenure never worked out, so the decorated former Wasps and three-time Lions boss is back at the Cardiff helm.
Captain: Ken Owens. The Lions hooker has been handed the mantle by Gatland in a big show of faith in one of the boss’ most trusted long-term lieutenants. A shrewd operator, funny off the pitch and smart on it.
Ones to watch
Taulupe Faletau: The Cardiff back-rower will be crucial to Wales’ chances of pack dominance and front-foot possession with his powerful carrying work.
Rio Dyer: The Dragons wing will win just his fourth cap in Wales’ opener against Ireland, but has been backed heavily by Gatland for his game-breaking abilities.
Dan Biggar: The Toulon fly-half knows exactly how to deliver the Gatland gameplan, and his tactical kicking – and its accuracy – will be crucial to Wales’ chances.
What they’ve said
Captain Ken Owens: “I always dreamed of representing my country growing up, so to have the opportunity to captain Wales means a hell of a lot to me. For the people who supported me over the years, family, friends, coaches at clubs, it’s as much for them as for myself.”
Tournament prediction: Fourth.
