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
Homer Gain
Guest
Jimmy, you are right that both Armitage and Croft offer something different to the current back-row options. But neither seem in Lancaster's deliberations. Croft I think has had his chances and I'm not sure we'll see him in England shirt again unless there are substantial additional injuries. Armitage is a real enigma. On those occasions I've seen him play (for London Irish, Toulon and England) I've never been overly impressed. But I can't deny that much better judges than me rate him very highly. To me he seems an odd mixture of all three classic back-row types, without offering an overwhelming argument for selection in any of them. Perhaps his versatility has counted against him. Perhaps you start with Armitage and build your back row about him. But as things stand, up against the England Captain, I don't see that happening. Even if Robshaw were ruled out I think the natural fall-back would be (the over-rated) Tom Wood at 7, with Kvesic next in line behind him and Armitage possibly 3rd in the pecking order.
JimmyB
Guest
NB is that squad with the 6N in mind as opposed to the RWC? I suspect that Kruis will be in ahead of Kitchener. Is Tom Johnson injured? Wigglesworth has overtaken D1ckson. I'd have Cipriani in ahead of Myler, but I don't think that Bomber will. Burgess and Tuilagi won't make the 6N, it'll probably be 36 and Eastmond, although 36 shouldn't be near the squad IMO. I suspect Rokoduguni may find his way in there and I'd personally love to see Wade in there but I doubt it. I haven't seen enough of Slade to pass judgement, however it seems a lot of people are getting excited by him and despite having not seen him play much in the centres I'd still put him in ahead of 36 anyway.
JimmyB
Guest
Birdy and Homer, I haven't seen Croft since he's come back from injury so I'm going on the pre injury Croft really. I'd agree that he lacks physicality but if he regains form, he does offer something very different. England are fairly well off in the back row assuming that they don't succumb to more injuries, but there's got to be room made for Armitage hasn't there. He scored a hat trick yesterday and appears to have continued his form of last season. Does being named the best player in Europe constitute exceptional circumstances I wonder?
Homer Gain
Guest
In response to the queries about Croft, injuries have been a factor. But I'm afraid he is one of those back-row players who looks great when the team are playing well, but goes missing in a crisis (the antithesis of someone like Robshaw, who though less naturally talented is more a man for the trenches). The closest analogy is Harinordoquy who on his day looked immense, but who far too often lived up to the Will Greenwood-coined soubriquet, "Harry Ordinary".
Birdy
Guest
NB; that squad won't be far away (although I think it might be 31 not 35, but not sure). Props and hookers are no brainers. Launchbury should be fit and he'll be one of the first on the sheet if he is. Similarly I think Morgan will be back. Waldrom won't be near the squad, particularly if they find a way to get Armitage in as he can play 8 as well. In the backs he's got to find room for one of either Eastmond, Twelvetrees or Slade or he doesn't have a ball-playing inside centre (although Burrell is underrated ball in hand). That would go against their stated philosophy, but it's possible.
Birdy
Guest
I've been very disappointed with Croft, JimmyB. He was probably may favourite England player when he first came into the side, but over the years I've become more and more doubtful about him. I know he's had a lot of injuries, but he just has too many indifferent games. What he gives you is a great lineout option and he's quick. However, he's only average at the breakdown and I think he lacks physicality. He doesn't give you much that Tom Wood doesn't and I think Wood gives you more breakdown presence and physicality.
Harry Jones
Expert
Maybe one of my Welsh ancestors had a fling with a Pom
Not Bothered
Guest
Its 35 right? Im not 100% up on injuries but heres my squad. 1) Hartley 2) Webber 3) Youngs 4) Vunipola 5) Marler 6) Corbisiero 7) Wilson 8) Cole 9) Brookes 10) Attwood 11) Kitchener 12) Lawes 13) Parling 14) Robshaw 15) Armitage 16) Haskell 17) Wood 19) Vunipola 20) Waldrom 21) Youngs 22) Care 23) D1ckson 24) Ford 25) Farrell 26) Cipriani 27) Burrell 28) Burgess 29) Tuilagi 30) Barritt 31) May 32) Yarde 33) Nowell 34) Watson 35) Brown
Not Bothered
Guest
Form, injury and the possibility of S.Armitage is my guess. I cant imagine he will take Woods spot and Haskell and S.Armitage offer things that Croft doesnt. I wouldnt include him but if he gets back to his best then it would be crazy not to.
JimmyB
Guest
Just out of curiosity, is there a reason that everybody seems to be overlooking Tom Croft in their squads? He is one of the most unique talents available to England and offers something to the balance of the squad that no other player could.
JimmyB
Guest
Oi you two, stop going off topic and let's get back to what Harry doesn't like about England. And Harry, there's got to be a bit of English in there somewhere mate, you seem in denial to me. :)
Harry Jones
Expert
Yes, JM Coetzee is worth a read
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
For me Ireland are the 'in form' team, the up and coming one. Sure they have been the best in the NH over the last 12-18 months but England remains in my eyes the benchmark over the last say 10 years. Its very subjective I know, maybe based solely on the rivalry we have with them or the fact france have been doing well against Ireland in the last 10 years.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
cheers harry. No, never been there unfortunately. I like politically and historically complex countries so SA is right up there for the right and wrong reasons I guess! Plus have read a fair bit about the country (JM Coetzee one of the best imo), have met a fair few saffas here in oz, the rugby, the Huguenots stuff, the politics etc so there are quite a few things that interest me in your country.
cathal
Guest
this sounds bait like brazil 2014.
cathal
Guest
wouldn't ireland be the benchmark, as unlike england they have something to show for there progress?
Harry Jones
Expert
NOS, you are very curious about SA. Have you visited? You'd like it. Especially the Winelands. Every little town has a great back story.
Harry Jones
Expert
Bonjour Nicolas Irish-Scottish-Welsh-Italian-Danish, with the largest portion being Protestant Irish I'm a Six Nation mongrel! If someone guesses what I am, they usually guess German or Scandinavian Honestly, all we did was fight each other in every place ("English" versus Afrikaners) when we were boys, but I wound up with friends of every stripe and I doubt anyone questioned my toughness--although there were many legit questions about my intelligence and mental fitness and common sense! I've reformed ...
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
harry, are you of English/British descent if I may ask? If so, did boers look down on you when you played footy? My saffa mate here (who is of anglo descent) told me it was the case when he was there but we are talking long time ago. For whatever reason I imagine the Botha, Claassens and co to think they are tougher than the Jones or Smith.
Harry Jones
Expert
Also really don't like "Swing Low Sweet Chariot" singing