The Six Nations kicks off this weekend and will be like no other.
The historic tournament will be hoping to bring joy to the onlooking rugby fans who would normally be packed into stadiums and pubs cheering their nation on but will have to watch from their houses in these testing Covid-19 times.
However, we should be grateful that this great spectacle of rugby didn’t get postponed like the Women’s Six Nations and Under-20 competition.
With a British and Irish Lions tour looming – hopefully – in five months, the home nations will be keen to impress.
In these unpredictable circumstances, surprising results could occur and who knows, maybe Italy will get their first Six Nations victory in six years? OK… perhaps that is going too far.
Reigning champions England will be expecting to bring us back to reality as they look to follow up their Autumn Nations Cup win in December with another Six Nations title.
Although Eddie Jones’ side has been limited to a 28-man squad, for Covid reasons, they still have the strongest squad and will go into the weekend as the favourites.
Despite this, France will be quietly confident that their young superstars can compete at this elite level and build towards their home 2023 World Cup. However, they will be without the services of fly-half Romain Ntamack and scrum-half Antoine Dupont.
Les Bleus travel to Twickenham in the fourth round on March 13 which is sure to be a fascinating match and could decide the winner of the competition.
Scotland’s chances have been boosted with the return to fitness of their talismanic fly-half Finn Russell who will lock horns against Owen Farrell and England this weekend, as the two battle for a Lions starting place.
Additionally, the acquisition of the impressive young Bath player Cameron Redpath – who played for England at U20’s level – improves Scotland’s squad.
Normally talks of an Ireland grand slam begin around now but their inconsistent Autumn Cup campaign means Andy Farrell’s side go into the weekend very much under the radar.
Wales have been a shadow of their former self following the appointment of Wayne Pivac after Warren Gatland left in late 2019. The New Zealander has only won three out of 10 competitive games and will hope to turn the tide.
Italy unfortunately look destined for the wooden spoon once again, especially with their inexperienced squad.
With a Lions tour coming up in the not-so-distant future, home nations players will be eager to impress and cement a place on the plane when they jet off to play South Africa.
The quality of rugby is in abundance throughout the teams and the Six Nations will provide some much-needed cheer to all rugby fans despite the empty arenas.
2021 SIX NATIONS FIRST-ROUND FIXTURES
14:15 GMT, Saturday, February 6: Italy v France, Stadio Olimpico
16:45 GMT, Saturday, February 6: England v Scotland, Twickenham
15:00 GMT, Sunday, February 7: Wales v Ireland, Principality Stadium
