Couple of weeks to go until this year’s championship kicks off and my optimism regarding the national side has slowed right up with the injury crisis in the front row. You won’t win many games if you can’t hold a scrum up and reputation counts for too much when it comes to refereeing the scrum. The Irish, French and English will bully our pack and parity with wales and Italy will be a result.
Scotland - it’s been a fine couple of years for the national team but injuries to 7/9 of our front row forwards is going to make life difficult. Couple that with Hoggie not being match sharp, 3 away matches and injuries to Taylor and Scott in the back line and it’s looking pretty bleak to me.
Wales - downward spiral to continue with Garland continuing to be the most stubborn man in Britain. Will miss Falatau massively.
Ireland - favourites for me. Leinster are demolishing everyone in their path in the champions cup and they now have a very settled, experienced and successful side that can mix it with anyone. A solid set piece, brilliant at the breakdown (albeit illegally half the time), the best halfbacks in the competition and dangerous runners in the back line. Potential grand slam for them
England - on paper they’re very strong and their record under jones is fantastic but they really need a lot of players to hit form. Club sides have been struggling badly this year.
France - who knows, as usual. Very young squad picked.
Italy - fodder
Ireland
England
France
Scotland
Wales
Italy
Scotland’s time will come with the players we now have but it won’t be this year.