Three months on from England’s final defeat to South Africa in Yokohama, prime time international rugby is back this weekend as England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, France and Italy duke it out in the Six Nations Championship.
Wales enter the tournament as defending champions, having beaten Ireland at the Principality Stadium on the final day of 2019’s tournament to claim their first Grand Slam since 2012.
Here is everything you need to know about the tournament taking place this month.
FIXTURES & TEAM NEWS
England
February 2, KO 15:00pm – France v England (Stade de France, Paris)
February 8, KO 16:45pm – Scotland v England (BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh)
February 23, KO 15:00pm – England v Ireland (Twickenham Stadium, London)
March 7, KO 16:45pm – England v Wales (Twickenham Stadium, London)
March 14, KO 16:45pm – Italy v Wales (Stadio Olimpico, Rome)
England’s World Cup seemed to be judged on the no-show in the final against South Africa, although the manner in which they overwhelmed Australia and New Zealand should not be forgotten.
Playing the two previous Six Nations champions at Twickenham Stadium makes Eddie Jones’ men clear favourites, but much will hinge on their opener in Paris against an up-and-coming France side that will play without fear or inhibition.
Wales
February 1, KO 2:15pm – Wales v Italy (Principality Stadium, Cardiff)
February 8, KO 14:15pm – Ireland v Wales (Aviva Stadium, Dublin)
February 22, KO 16:45pm – Wales v France (Principality Stadium, Cardiff)
March 7, KO 16:45pm – England v Wales (Twickenham Stadium, London)
March 14, KO 14:15pm – Wales v Scotland (Principality Stadium, Cardiff)
The holders are not expected to emerge from the long shadow cast by Warren Gatland. Wayne Pivac is Wales’s first new coach for 12 years, a change from the times when 12 months was closer to the average tenure of an international manager.
Pivac has pledged to inject some much needed speed to the Wales attack, although he starts without three of last year’s first choice backs. His first task is to maintain the indomitable spirit that took them to the title and World Cup semi-finals. Achieve that, make them more cutting edge and Wales will be contenders again.
Scotland
February 1, KO 16:45pm – Ireland v Scotland (Aviva Stadium, Dublin)
February 8, KO 16:45pm – Scotland v England (BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh)
February 22, KO 14:15pm – Italy v Scotland (Stadio Olimpico, Rome)
March 8, KO 15:00PM – Scotland v France (BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh)
March 14, KO 14:15PM – Wales v Scotland (Principality Stadium, Cardiff)
Gregor Townsend and Eddie Jones are the only two surviving head coaches from last year, but they had contrasting World Cup campaigns.
Scotland failed to make the knockout stage after a timid opening-round display against Ireland left them reeling.
Six Nations preparations have not gone to plan either, with Finn Russell, the side’s dynamo, being sent home after he failed to show up for training following a late-night drinking session.
If referees clamp down on slowing the ball down at the breakdown, Scotland will be a threat. If they don’t, they won’t…..simple.
Italy
February 1, KO 14:15pm – Wales v Italy (Principality Stadium, Cardiff)
February 9, KO 15:00pm – France v Italy (Stade de Fraance, Paris)
February 22, KO 14:15pm – Italy v Scotland (Stadio Olimpico, Rome)
March 7, KO 14:15pm – Ireland v Italy (Aviva Stadium, Dublin)
March 14, KO 16:45pm – Italy v England (Stadio Olimpico, Rome)
Italy have gone in a new direction by appointing South African Franco Smith as their new head coach following four unsuccessful years under Conor O’Shea.
The side’s talisman Sergio Parisse will only have a walk-on role, and with an injury list mounting, including a torn ACL for dynamic centre Michele Campagnaro, Smith will have his hands full over the next six weeks.
The Azzuri have only won 12 of their 100 matches in their first 20 years in the tournament with half of the victories coming against Scotland.
France
February 2, KO 15:00pm – France v England (Stade de France, Paris)
February 9, KO 15:00pm – France v Italy (Stade de France, Paris)
February 22, KO 16:45pm – Wales v France (Principality Stadium, Wales)
March 8, KO 15:00pm – Scotland v France (BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh)
March 14, KO 20:00pm – France v Ireland (Stade de France, Paris)
Les Blues will be led into battle by new head coach Fabien Galthie, who has invested in youth ahead of the 2023 World Cup which France are hosting.
They start at home in Paris against England and can expect an onslaught in the opening quarter since the visitor's understanding of Shaun Edward’s defensive system will put France under immense pressure.
This campaign is all about the development of their young players, with Galthie keeping a close eye on his potential stars of the future.
Ireland
February 1, KO 16:45pm – Ireland v Scotland (Aviva Stadium, Dublin)
February 8, KO 14:15pm – Ireland v Wales (Aviva Stadium, Dublin)
February 23, KO 15:00pm – England v Ireland (Twickenham Stadium)
March 7, KO 14:15pm – Ireland v Italy (Aviva Stadium, Dublin)
March 14, KO 20:00pm – France v Ireland (Stade de France, Paris)
Like Wales, Ireland are starting a new era following the departure of Joe Schmidt. Andy Farrell is the new head man in Dublin and he will be keen to showcase the skills of an incredibly talented squad which he inherited.
Farrell has two home matches to start his tenure, against Scotland and Wales, before his return to Twickenham where he will go head-to-head against his son Owen.
On January 15, Irish talisman Jonathan Sexton was named as the new captain ahead of the Six Nations, replacing the now retired Rory Best.
Sexton will need to be at his very best this tournament should he wish to hoist the coveted trophy in March.