It’s the most wonderful time of the year.
Sorry, Rugby Championship fans, but there’s just something special about the Six Nations. Maybe it hits harder because of the January blues and the soul just needs some good old classic rugby.
We’re a week away from the opening game and it’s a cracking round to kick off the tournament.
France welcomes Wales to the Stade de France, Scotland hosts the Italian Azzurri in Murrayfield and Ireland welcomes their nearest and dearest rival England to Lansdowne Road.
We haven’t seen these teams since the November internationals, but two months is a long time in international rugby so let’s take a look at some of the talking points for each team before the tournament begins.
Starting with the current back-to-back champions, Ireland enters the tournament in rude health despite head coach Andy Farrell “stepping away” to focus solely on the Lions.
Do you believe it? I’m not so sure myself.
As he said himself in his final November press conference, “I’m not leaving. What do you mean I’m leaving? I live in Sandymount, 10 minutes away – I’m not going anywhere”.
Nevertheless, the Irish are putting their best foot forward with interim head coach Simon Easterby at the helm.
This Irish team is best epitomised by its back-row forwards. More often than not, the talk following a squad announcement, the talk is of flankers not included than the ones who were – such is the strength in depth amongst their four provinces.
This Irish back row is going to set the standard for this tournament. Captain Caelan Doris’ form for Leinster has been outstanding. The Mayo man is flourishing under the added responsibility of leading this team.
Garry Ringrose, Joe McCarthy and Caelan Doris celebrate their side’s first try scored by team-mate Josh van der Flier against New Zealand. (Photo By Sam Barnes/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
His ability to take the ball at pace so close to the line is second to none but now the onus is on his work at the breakdown, specifically in defence.
Watch him, for every ruck he’s involved in he buys his teammates time to reset by slowing down the opposition. I don’t think I’ve seen a player play so close on the edge since Richie McCaw.
Josh van der Flier is arguably playing even better rugby than his body of work, which earned him World Player of the Year. With Peter O’Mahony coming towards the end of his career, Ireland is in succession mode.
Tadhg Beirne is currently in possession of the number six shirt, but Cormac Izuchukwu, Ryan Baird and Jack Conan are waiting in the wings.
I can’t wait to see this unit perform throughout the competition.
The pool stages of the Champions Cup, as of last week, are now over. One thing that’s far from over, however, is the age-old question in Irish rugby circles.
Once upon a time, it was Campbell v Ward and Humphries v O’Gara.
Ronan O’Gara and Johnny Sexton have their own storied journey. Now we enter the era of Jack Crowley and Sam Prendergast.
Andy Farrell raised many an eyebrow when he gave 21-year-old Prendergast the starting jersey last time out versus Australia. The Leinster number 10 did well against a rejuvenated Wallabies side.
It’s clear to see he has ‘it’ but now it’s just a case of the talented playmaker stringing it all together.
This was also the case in Leinster’s two most recent Champions Cup games, Prendergast can do incredible things on a rugby field but there are understandable mistakes in his game that top teams could pounce on but it’s all so close to clicking and at 21, that’s pretty impressive.
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
Despite coming out on the wrong side of the result, Munster’s flyhalf Jack Crowley is firing on all cylinders. Diamonds are made under pressure and on the eve of the Six Nations, Crowley shined.
When he cemented his place in this Munster team, he overtook Joey Carbery in the process, who is now no longer with the team. Crowley’s confidence and determination were the attributes people pointed to when he was rising into the starting team.
He showcased that after Sexton’s retirement, leading Ireland to a Six Nations title in his first year as the starter on the team. His career looked like it was steamrolling ahead, but every 10 experiences peaks and troughs.
Crowley experienced his first real speed bump in November with a mixed performance before losing his place to Prendergast.
Munster versus Leinster’s Christmas time derby looked like the perfect stage for Crowley to showcase his skills against his direct competition but he wasn’t even in the 23 due to IRFU player welfare rules.
Missing out on a chance to implement his game versus Leinster would have felt like another bump in the road, but Crowley has come back firing.
I expect both flyhalves to play meaningful minutes throughout this competition.
With Ireland’s back row fit to fire, and competition aplenty at the number 10 jersey, Easterby’s side looks set to compete for the title once again.
I haven’t even mentioned their new front-row props, the opportunity out on the wings and how they fit three centres into two.
