SIX NATIONS PREDICTIONS WEEK 1

France v Wales - Friday 2000hrs UK time

Wales are 3rd in the world for a reason and know how to win in Paris (despite two years ago). France have some talented youth, but too much to expect them to shine in first game.
Wales by 7

Scotland v Italy - Saturday 1415hrs

Scotland's front five are all Edinburgh, who destroyed Montpellier up front a couple of weeks ago, so Italy's big pack will not dominate the game. Italians will be in contest until 60 minutes, when Scotland's high tempo game and fitness will start to tell.
Scotland by 12

Ireland v England - Saturday 1645hrs

Ireland are playing rugby on a different planet at the moment, and will not lose to any Northern Hemisphere nation at home. Yes, Tuilagi is back after six years, but one man will be easy to defend against. The crowd alone will be worth 7 points.
Ireland by 10

INTERESTING CHANGES TO STARTING LINE UPS

England is starting with Manu Tuilagi at 12 on Saturday v Ireland, with Farrell at 10, Daly at full back, Lawes in second row and both Vunipola boys returning.

Ireland select Robbie Henshaw at full back, with Aki and Ringrose in centres, Toner in second row and Josh van der Flier on open side flank.

Scotland pick Sam Johnson at 12 for his debut against Italy, with James Ritchie replacing Hamish Watson in back row and Gary Graham on bench, set for his debut.

Wales have replaced injured Gareth Davies at scrum half with debutant, Tomas Williams, for opener against France, with Josh Navidi in back row and Liam Williams at 15.

France blood a couple of Toulouse youngsters out wide in Ntamack and Penaud, and include another new boy, South African born, Paul Willemse, in a monster pack, set to be the biggest ever in Six Nations.

WHO WILL WIN SIX NATIONS?

Okay, off the fence immediately, Ireland will win the Six Nations, but not a Grand Slam this year. They are (probably) the best team in the world at the moment, with best coach, most strength in depth and an awesome mix of experience and raw young talent. They are capable of winning all their home games, including England this Saturday, and will beat Scotland away, but will fall short against Wales in the final game, but win title on bonus points.

Another Championship but no Grand Slam this year

Wales will finish second, despite beating Ireland, England and France, but will lose at Murrayfield against the Scots (just like two years ago). England and Scotland will fight it out for 3rd and 4th place, with England victorious over France and Scotland, but losing to Wales and Ireland. The Scots will beat Wales and France (away) but come up short against Ireland (home) and England (away).

France and Italy will tussle for the Wooden Spoon, with the French winning their final game against the Italians to hand them the "cucchiaio di legno".

However, jumping back on the fence again, there are 7 games which could go either way, and could mean one of four teams could potentially win Six Nations - these are as follows (I have indicated my victor):

France v Wales (win)
Ireland (win) v England
Scotland v Ireland (win)
France v Scotland (win)
Wales (win) v England
Scotland (win) v Wales
Wales (win) v Ireland

What do you think?

SIX NATIONS SQUADS ANNOUNCED

England
They have a tough year, with all the Blue teams at home, but Wales and Ireland away, which they will need to beat at least one of (probably both) to win the Championship. Eddie is bragging that he has all his big guns back - Vunipola x 2, Tuilagi, Launchbury, Lawes, Cokanasiga, Teo and Farrell (assuming fit), and has a simple game plan - to smash em up! Good to see Dan Robson of Wasps getting a run at 9.

Wales
In contrast to England, Wales have two strongest teams, Ireland and England, at home in the Principality Stadium, and go away to Blue teams, although France in Paris in first game, will not be easy. Warren Gatland has a few injuries in back row, including Faletau, and out wide, where Leigh Halfpenny and Rhys Patchell still have concussion. Still, despite no Welsh region making the knock out stages of the European Champions Cup, they have impressive strength in depth, and are a good tournament team, and could beat either of the two big teams in Cardiff, so will definitely have a say in the Championship winner outcome.

Ireland
Joe Schmidt has the luxury of the strongest Irish squad ever, and even with a few injuries, they have depth in every position from front row, back row to centres and back three. Assuming Sexton and Murray are fit, they should win the Championship, but may struggle to top both England at home and Wales away, especially, if one of their talisman gets injured. They will entertain, courtesy of a backline full of world class players - Murray plus Sexton, along with Bundee Aki, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, Keith Earls, Rob Kearney and Jacob Stockdale, to name a few.

Scotland
Despite recent improvements, with only two professional teams, Gregor Townsend was always going to suffer from lack of strength in depth with injuries to key players such as John Barclay, Hamish Watson, David Denton, Richie Gray, and Byron McGuigan. Strength in the back three and half back may be nullified by lack of power up front to get the backs on the front foot - injuries to front row will further exacerbate this. However, with Edinburgh the most improved team in Europe, thanks to their pack overpowering Montpellier and Toulon in the process, Scotland will be competitive, and may turnover either Wales or Ireland at home.

France
Swings and roundabouts selection wise for the French. On the plus side, much needed experience returns from injury in the form of Camille Lopez, Morgan Parra and Wesley Fofana, and they select five talented uncapped players, including Romain Ntamack, Dorian Aldegheri, Gregory Alldritt, Thomas Ramos and South African born Paul Willemse. On the flipside, key players missing include Teddy Thomas, Yoann Maestri, Cedric Gomes and Mathieu Babilot. They will be big, brutal and French, so expect the unexpected, including edging Wales at home in the first game.