The most beautiful Six Nations ever starts: Ireland and France favourites. All the opponents of the blues – Sport

The oval world is turned upside down, it rules the northern hemisphere and the level of the Six Nations has never been as high as this year. Ireland And France they clearly lead the World Rugby ranking: they are the favorites of the (French) World Cup which begins in September. Last autumn they both surpassed the world champions of South Africain July the Greens had even beaten the All Blacks in New Zealand, the Les Bleus are coming off a 13-game winning streak. And 3 months ago theEngland forced the All Blacks even. It is the 129th edition of the tournament, born in 1882 between the 4 British nations: it was called the Home Championship, it was extended to include France in 1910 and Italy in the year 2000.

France are the reigning champions, after having won all the matches in 2022: they have triumphed in 26 editions, the record belongs on equal terms (39) to Wales and England, Ireland boasts 22 successes like Scotland. The Azzurri are zero and please don’t talk about it anymore Wooden Spoons. The Horrendous Stoviglia, a virtual and evil prize, belongs to the last classified: we are season ticket holders, that’s enough. The away Saturday from Cardiff with Wales-Ireland (3.16pm), followed by the Twickenham match between England and Scotland (5.45pm). Italy takes the field on Sunday 5 February at the Olimpico against France (16). The next weekend is also played, followed by February 25-26 and March 11-12. Fifth and final round, on March 18th.

Ireland favored in Sexton’s hands (and feet).

Ireland leads the championship standings for performance (90.63 points): coached by Andy Farrell (father of Owen, English star), captained by the legend Jonathan Sexton. The opener is 37 years old but he is still indispensable to this team which is a joyful war machine, powerful in melee, inspired in three-quarters and very strong in directing: in 2022 the Greens lost 2 times, not surprisingly when the their number 10 (with France) or when Jonathan went off in the second half (New Zealand). The advanced age of some of his key players can be a problem, but after the World Cup: Ireland are the big favourites, because they will host Les Bleus and England at home. Watch out for the first round in Cardiff though.

The French talent, despite the scandals

The French Federation has been working for 6 years only on the basis of this season: organizing – and winning – the World Cup is the mantra of Bernard Laporte, president of the transalpine oval movement (and vice-president of World Rugby) who was however forced to resign, overwhelmed by a scam for corruption. The championship victory inevitably passes through a confirmation in the Six Nations: but will the Les Bleus be stronger than the judicial investigations and their natural presumption? The scrum is a battleship, the backline a blossoming of young talents: the hinge bets on the best player in the world (the scrum-half and captain, Antoine Dupont) come on Romain Ntamackfamily tradition. Villière it’s a deadly wing. Second place in the ranking (90.01). The real danger is represented by the ego. They shouldn’t underestimate their first commitment to the Olimpico.

Goodbye to guru Jones, is England about to blossom?

The surprising farewell of the coach-guru Eddie Jonesreplaced by his old pupil Steve Borthwick, represents the great risk but also the potential turning point for a team on paper that is very strong, the expression of a movement that could field two, perhaps three national teams capable of competing with anyone at an international level, but which terribly lacks concreteness. Fifth place in the world ranking (83.66). The captain is Owen Farrellbrilliant and questionable: at the opening Jones preferred them Marcus Smith, who knows what the new coach has in mind. The fact of not being among the favorites could prove to be an advantage, the relatively easy calendar (debut in London with Scotland, then the Azzurri at the Olimpico) could give confidence to the group. Mario Itojethe black giant who recites Shakespeare, remains the symbolic athlete: if he works, England works.

No more Delilah, and Wales relies on Gatland

The president of the federation Steve Phillips has just been removed for “sexism”. And one of the traditional anthems of the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, the Delilah made even more celebrated by the interpretation of Tom Jones, it was banned for “obvious reasons of expediency” (it tells of the murder of a woman out of jealousy). But Wales suffers above all in terms of results, after the two historic home defeats against Italy and Georgia: Wayne Pivac was fired, the New Zealander is now at the bedside of the red patient Warren Gatland, who in the past won 4 Six Nations tournaments with the Dragons (including 2 Grand Slams). “I want my kids to do simple things, stick to the fundamentals,” he says. Welsh talent is indisputable – after all, they were able to win in South Africa this summer. The captain is Ken Owens. Ninth place in the ranking /78.09). Unpredictable, always.

Scots in attack with that genius of Russell

The way they demolished Argentina (52-29, Darcy Graham hat-trick) in November is the best visiting card: when they manage to unleash the qualities of their star players – the opening Finlay Russellthe extreme Stuart Hogg – the Scots are a problem for everyone, even the All Blacks trembled when they were down by 9 points less than half an hour from the end. Russell is an extraordinary striker, but a fragile defender: the protection guaranteed by the stoic on the back line will suffice Amish Watson and the captain Jamie Ritchie? Seventh place in the ranking (81.55). The boys of Gregor Townsed too often they sin of little concreteness, the ups and downs are repeated and the feeling is that – once again – the match with Italy, a last round appointment in Edinburgh, will be their lifesaver.