While fans pass judgement on their nation's squads, the Six Nations train has well and truly left the station.
With Steve Borthwick’s whirlwind England appointment, and Warren Gatland's surprise Wales return, coaching teams have a little over six months to get to grips with their players and pull out a winning composition in time for the World Cup.
And it all starts now. The highly-anticipated clash between a transformed Wales and current top-dogs Ireland will take place Saturday. Then Borthwick will kick off his England managerial career with a brutal test against the old rivals past Hadrian’s Wall. Thankfully, fans will have the chance to stop and recover until Sunday, when a resurgent Italy host the reigning champions France.
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Of course, the question on every England fans’ lips is will the Smith-Farrell duo continue? With both the experienced hand Owen Farrell and maverick Marcus Smith both named in Borthwick’s squad, Eddie Jones’ controversial dual-playmaker strategy could still be on the cards. Especially with the loss of the skilled Henry Slade in the centres, erstwhile fly-half Farrell is looking increasingly likely to see out another Six Nations at number 12.
England’s fly-half conundrum will go through a trial by fire against Gregor Townsend’s side, who will be hungry to make it three-for-three against the English. The telling contrast between England’s variety of playmaker options and Scotland’s nailed-on talisman Finn Russell will be well-worth keeping an eye on this Saturday.
Russell’s deft handling and expert vision has made the difference for Scotland on countless occasions. Saturday’s clash of fly-halves could put the final nail in the coffin for England’s Smith-Farrell axis if Russell’s attempts at dismantling Borthwick’s men are successful.
