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The new year means the Six Nations is just a few weeks away, which provides a chance for the northern hemisphere to assess where they are at with less than nine months to go until the World Cup.
We will take a look at each of the six countries looking to be crowned Six Nations champion come the 21st March, starting with the World Cup hosts England.
England
2015 is undoubtedly a big year for England as they host the World Cup later this year, which makes the Six Nations an ideal preparation for head coach Stuart Lancaster. However, England’s results in the autumn internationals pose several dilemmas for Lancaster to ponder.
Firstly, the scourge of injuries has prevented Stuart Lancaster from playing his strongest team, especially in the forwards. Losing players such as Dan Cole, Alex Corbisiero and Geoff Parling was a blow for England during the autumn internationals.
However, it did allow opportunities Joe Marler, Courtney Lawes and Dave Atwood to stake their claim within the squad, especially with the World Cup nearing. What will ease Lancaster’s worries is that Corbisiero, Cole and Parling are returning to first team action.
Sadly, that is negated by the loss of No.8 Ben Morgan, as he’s ruled out of the Six Nations after breaking his leg for Gloucester last week. Morgan’s injury is a real blow because he was one of England’s standout performers in the autumn internationals with his ball carrying and ability to shake off tacklers with ease.
Such is the extent of his injury, regaining full fitness in time for the World Cup is not guaranteed.
The second problem Lancaster has to contend with is the dilemma of who will be England’s starting fly half come the World Cup?
At the start of the autumn internationals Saracens’ Owen Farrell was the incumbent but his inability to fire up the backline (despite his competent kicking) meant George Ford replaced him for the last two games of the year against Samoa and Australia.
Ford’s performances was good enough to start whispers that maybe the 21-year-old could be the player to fully utilise the potential of England’s backs behind a dominant forward pack.
What will be interesting is to see who will start at fly half in their Six Nations opener against Wales at Cardiff on Friday fifth February in what will no doubt be a raucous atmosphere.
Finally, Lancaster needs to use this Six Nations to find out what is England’s best midfield combination.
The absence of Manu Tuilagi meant Lancaster has chopped and changed his centre pairing during the end of year Tests.
During the internationals Billy Twelvetrees, Kyle Eastmond, Brad Barritt and even Owen Farrell have been used that does little to solve Lancaster’s problem.
Luther Burrell is back to his best for Northampton while Tuilagi should appear in the Six Nations. But if Lancaster cannot find his best centre pairing before the World Cup then the calls for Sam Burgess to be included will ring ever louder, especially if the ex-rugby league star is called up to the England’s developmental squad the Saxons against Ireland’s Wolfhounds on January 30th.
As said earlier England’s opener is a tough Friday night assignment against Wales at Cardiff but Lancaster’s men have further challenges.
After facing Italy at home, England travel to Dublin to face a rejuvenated Ireland before facing Scotland at home. Their last game could potentially be a Six Nations decider as they round off the 2015 Six Nations by hosting France.
These games will be a stern examination for England, which will allows Lancaster to assess where England are at with less than nine months to go until the World Cup. Lancaster will hope the Six Nations will provide him more answers than questions.
Player To Watch Out For – George Ford
Moving from the Leicester Tigers to Bath has enhanced the 21-year-old’s international prospects.
His playmaking and orchestration of the backs has managed to attract the attention of Stuart Lancaster. Ford, who has already been capped by England, can use the Six Nations to stake his claim to the No. 10 jersey ahead of Owen Farrell. The young starlet is on a steady rise and is beginning to fulfill his vast potential
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.