The augurs foretell a great Six Nations. Last year’s edition enthralled behind closed doors and rugby’s great Northern Hemisphere behemoth returns with renewed vitality and verve. Empowered by increased speed of ruck ball and a generation of attacking innovators, five viable contenders for this year’s crown each arrive with a blend of ambition and enterprise, emboldened by encouraging autumns, and further enlivened as the Six Nations rediscovers its colour off the field after a campaign and a half behind closed doors.
“It could be the most competitive and open Six Nations in history,” posited Kieran Crowley from Rome at last week’s launch. “Everyone is looking strong. You look at the results from November and the best rugby is being played in the Northern Hemisphere.”
