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As the first round of the Six Nations matches approaches this weekend there is much intrigue and plots festering among the teams competing in the tournament.
With it we take a look at six things to watch out for over the weekend.
1) England’s new guns
Stuart Lancaster’s 23-man squad for the trip to Paris is certainly packed with young talent reinforcing his desire to play those in form for their clubs.
The big winners are those in the back line – Gloucester winger Jonny May looks like to add his second cap while Exeter Chiefs’ 20 year old young winger Jack Nowell look to gain his debut in the Stade De France.
In the centre it is a new look centre pairing with Billy Twelvetrees partnered by Northampton 26 year old centre Luther Burrell who will earn his first cap as well.
Burrell and Nowell deserve to be in the squad after their good squad form – notably Nowell who battled manfully against Bryan Habana of Toulon in the Heineken Cup. Nowell’s meteoric rise is an indicator of how far his club Exteter have come since promotion to the Premiership in 2010.
From newcomers to competing in the Heineken Cup in three years it’s a testament to the Chiefs – culminating in Jack Nowell who come Saturday will step onto the hallowed turf of the Stade De France.
No doubt Lancaster wants to see how May, Burrell and Nowell perform in their first real taste of competitive international rugby. If they do well their chances of being in that coveted World Cup squad in 2015 will no doubt increase.
The biggest loser from the squad is Chris Ashton – he has been dropped from the matchday squad altogether paying the price for his poor tackling. Though he has scored tries for Saracens as of late were it not for injuries to Christian Wade and Marland Yarde he would have been dropped for the autumn internationals as well.
With Yarde and Wade coming back from injury it is looking likely Ashton faces a real fight to even make England’s World Cup squad.
2) Jules Plisson’s performance hinges on the forwards
France’s coach Phillipe Saint Andre has decided to give young Jules Plisson his first start against England ahead of Francois Trinh-Duc. If so it is bold but well deserved – the fly half has enjoyed a great season for Stade Francais keeping Morne Steyn on the bench most of the time.
Plisson is a player who likes to run with the ball and is notorious for his drop goals – Perpignan found that out earlier this season in the Top 14 when Plisson kicked a hat-trick of drop goals against them including a late winner.
It is easy to see where Saint Andre is targeting – their forwards for his 23 man squad consist of just nine backs. No doubt it is likely France will want to get into a war of attrition among the forwards – England/France isn’t called “Le Crunch” for nothing.
However, Saint Andre will know the crowd will demand results quickly – if things aren’t going well for France in the first 20-30 minutes the crowd can get on their back: which is exactly what England want to happen.
Though France’s half back pairings are inexperienced (22 year old Toulouse’s Jean Marc Doussain is at scrum half) Plisson has a chance to show what he can do. Whoever wins the forward battle will likely give momentum and forward ball to their backs allowing Plisson to get creative and play his natural game.
Lose and England will be on the front foot. It will certainly get physical in Paris especially as the battering ram centre Mathieu Bastareuad has been selected ahead of the explosive youngster Gael Fickou.
3) Wales’ chance to lay down a marker
Though the regional game is more fractured than broken glass the Welsh national team is in great spirits, as Wales get ready to kick off their title defence against Italy.
Though the predictions have been for Wales to win against Italy by at least 15 points head coach Warren Gatland will know complacency must not creep in. He will know it is a brilliant chance to lay down a marker to his Six Nations rivals.
This rings ever more true for Wales’ next three games are against Ireland (where Gatland will feel the force of Dublin’s displeasure), France (where Friday night games make a return) and England (the fixture could decide who will win the Six Nations) in Twickenham.
But for Saturday the Welsh will make sure to please their fans and make them forget about the troubles off the pitch that is plaguing the game in Wales.
4) Jacques Brunel goes for youth
Italy’s search for a consistent fly half since the retirement of Diego Dominguez in 2003 has been long and painful.
Players such as Ramiro Pez, Andrea Marcato, Andrea Scanavacca and even NRL legend Craig Gower have tried and failed to make that No.10 shirt their own. But the arrival of Tommaso Allan might solve their problem. Italy’s head coach Jacques Brunel has picked Allan ahead of Luciano Orquera against Wales.
The young 20 year old may be raw, but he is consistently playing for Perpignan in the Top 14, immensely creative with a good step (as Australia found out) and loves to run wit the ball.
Youth among the backs is immense with 20 year old Treviso centre Michele Campagnaro, 22 year old winger Zebre wing Leonardo Sarto and 20 year old Treviso winger Angelo Esposito all make their debuts.
The loss of Gonzalo Canale and Andrea Masi for at least most of the Six Nations is a huge blow, as well as Gio Venditti missing at least the first two games along with Tommaso Benvenuti not in the squad. Though Brunel is blooding his youngsters so to prepare them for the World Cup in 2015 it could be a case of damage limitation for Italy come Saturday.
5) Joe Schmidt’s first taste of Six Nations rugby
Ireland kick off at home against Scotland on Sunday and for head coach Joe Schmidt it will be his first taste of the Six Nations.
It will certainly be a baptism of fire as Scotland have in recent years played well against Ireland – beating them last year in Murrayfield. The loss of Sean O’Brien and Stephen Ferris is a blow for Ireland, as both players are excellent back row players for club and country.
They would be needed to combat Scotland’s excellent loose forwards. How Ireland perform against Scotland will be important – win and confidence along with momentum will rise in anticipation to the game against Wales next week.
But lose against Scotland and Ireland could find themselves winless after two games if Wales profit from the anxiety brought about by losing to Scotland should it happen. Then again Ireland fought valiantly against New Zealand after a lacklustre performance against Australia the week before.
6) Scotland’s youngsters could surprise
The return of Stuart Hogg is well needed with Tim Visser recovering from a leg fracture and with Sean Maitland along with Sean Lamont have a dangerous back three.
Their backrow is quite strong and can stifle teams at the breakdown winning penalties for scrum half Laidlaw to kick for goal with great ease. But there is a new batch of youngsters in the backs coming through. Matt Scott, Duncan Taylor, Alex Dunbar and Tommy Seymour are highly thought of – from them Scott is on the bench while Taylor and Dunbar are paired at centre against Scotland with Seymour out with a dead leg.
Though at international level they are inexperienced Scott Johnson has high hopes for these players – especially Matt Scott. These players have done well for their clubs Edinburgh and Glasgow in the Pro 12 warranting selection. However, Dunbar and Taylor face a stiff test in midfield on Sunday facing against the great Brian O’Driscoll, but it is a test they will no doubt relish.
Whether they can rise up to it is another matter.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.