The 2023 Guinness Six Nations kicks off with the first round of matches this weekend. Wales host Ireland, and England take on Scotland on Saturday 4th February, before reigning champions France head to Italy for Sunday’s fixture.
It is the most exciting time of the year for Northern Hemisphere rugby, with the competition looking closer than recent years it is all to play for once again. Here is everything you need to know heading into the opening weekend of action.
Wales vs Ireland – Sat 4th Feb. 14:15 Kick Off – Principality Stadium, Cardiff
It is a new era with familiar faces for Wales, as Warren Gatland returns as Head Coach. A four time winner of the competition with Wales, there is serious excitement building that Wales will drastically improve on their recent international performances.
After the embarrassment of last season’s Six Nations defeat to Italy, and a miserable outing in the following Autumn Internationals, Wayne Pivac was ousted from his Head Coach position. Gatland has selected several of his old guard, with a new captain in 36-year-old Ken Owens, to pass the torch to the next generation. Wales fans could expect a curtain call for Alun Wyn Jones and co after the 2023 Rugby World Cup, and are ready to see their stars of tomorrow shine in this Six Nations.
Andy Farrell’s Ireland continue to look like one of the two front-runners for this years trophy. Ireland and France look the strongest heading into the 2023 Six Nations, and the men in green have deserved confidence. After a successful Summer tour to New Zealand, and impressive wins over South Africa and Australia in the Autumn, Ireland have their eyes set on their first Six Nations title since 2018.
Only one uncapped player in Leinster’s Jamie Osbourne, Andy Farrell is sticking to his strengths. With a squad full of British and Irish Lions, and decorated domestic champions, this Ireland side knows what it takes to win on the big occasions. Last years winners of the Triple Crown, and the number one ranked international side in the world, Ireland will use the Six Nations to iron out any creases, as they build towards winning their first ever Rugby World Cup.
RUCK Prediction: Wales 12 – 38 Ireland
England vs Scotland – Sat 4th Feb. 16:45 Kick Off, Twickenham Stadium, London
All eyes will be on England’s debuting Head Coach Steve Borthwick for this one. His first time in charge, following the departure of Eddie Jones, Borthwick will want to get off to a winning start at Twickenham Stadium. He comes up against England’s trickiest opponent in recent years. This fixture is the hardest one to call for the opening weekend.
Borthwick’s re-calling of 35-year-old Dan Cole to the squad, presents a strategic, controlled and regimented approach, akin to that of Leicester Tigers’ 2022 Premiership winning campaign. However, the appointment of Harlequins’ Nick Evans as England’s Attack Coach, adds an unexpected element of free-flowing Quins creativity to the England offense.
There are five Harlequins stars from the 2021 Premiership winning team in the England squad, including the exhilarating Marcus Smith, who shines when the Quins attack is built around him. If Evans lets Smith play with his Harlequins freedom, then we could well see a dangerous combination, with Borthwick’s aggressive Tiger’s style defence.
Scotland’s recent dominance of the Calcutta Cup will bring them great confidence against their old enemy. Winning three out of the last five encounters against England, in a record which includes the unforgettable 38-38 comeback draw, Scotland can bring a mental advantage into the game. Despite being the underdogs on paper, Scotland have far more familiarity with one-another than the new management south of the boarder.
Gregor Townsend has selected a strong Scottish team, who are out to cause an upset or two throughout the competition. Scotland’s talisman Stuart Hogg is expected to return from his ankle injury, in time for the opening contest against England. Hogg, along with Finn Russell, Darcey Graham and Duhan van der Merwe present exciting options in the back-line, capeable of causing England a lot of trouble with ball in hand.
RUCK Prediction: England 28 – 24 Scotland
France vs Italy – Sun 5th Feb. 15:00 Kick Off, Stadio Olympico, Rome
The most predictable fixture of the opening weekend’s action, France are expected to comfortably beat Italy and set themselves up for a successful tournament. Fabien Galthie’s men have established themselves as favourites going into the competition, yet were recently overtaken to top spot by Ireland in the World Rugby rankings.
If Antoine Dupont, Romain Ntamack, Matthieu Jalibert and co all find top gear in Rome, then it would be presumed one-way traffic in favour of France. Impressive victories in the Autumn over Australia and South Africa, mirrors Ireland’s recent form at the top of the world rankings. A Summer series victory over Japan didn’t demonstrate France’s full potential, yet they impressed consistently none the less.
Italy have nothing to lose in this opener, as the odds are stacked against them in Rome. The expectations are of a proud performance, and to not roll over if France start to build momentum in the game. Having ended their seven year wait for a Six Nations win last year, Italy have shaken the curse and are pushing to pass on the wooden spoon this time around.
A re-vitalised Italian side has excited the neutrals for this fixture, with Italy’s talisman Paolo Garbisi leading the line for the ‘Azzurri.’ There is talent throughout the squad, and with an influx of Premiership and URC stars, and foreign born players such as Stephen Varney and Monty Ioane bolstering the ranks, Italy have a right to get excited. They continue to silence the critics who call for their demotion from the Six Nations, and will be gunning to upset the favourites. A win against France would stun the rugby world, and as unlikely as it seems, it should never be ruled out.
RUCK Prediction: Italy 15 – 56 France