10 Players To Watch During The 2019 Guiness Six Nations

Defending Grand Slam champions Ireland look to do the double, England aim to restore their pride. Wales want to back up their third in the world ranking with a trophy, while Scotland hope to derail their ambitions and go for their first title in 20 years. France continue their rebirthing under Jacques Brunel, and Italy continue to build under Conor O'Shea. But nevertheless, the ones who make it count are the ones on the pitch putting in the big shift.

Here are my 10 players to watch during the 20th annual Six Nations tournament.

Rob Kearney is like a fine wine, and with every cap he earned in that green 15 jersey, he just got better and better. But all good things must come to an end, and Joe Schmidt has found what could just be the best replacement. Larmour has been in electric form in Leinster colours and has shown that attacking ability that we've desired in the likes of Stuart Hogg and Leigh Halfpenny in recent years. But the youngster has shown his worth in the autumn and certainly given Schmidt a headache when it comes to selecting his final third. With that said, a young back three of Jacob Stockdale, Larmour and Andrew Conway running the show, it's scary to think how quickly this Irish side will be hitting their bonus point scores.

Another name who's been sending shockwaves around British rugby is that of Edinburgh's versatile back Blair Kinghorn. Making his debut in a first Calcutta Cup win in a decade, Kinghorn became a vital artery to Scotland's scoreline, with his ability to kick for goal and his attacking prowess working Gregor Townsend's men wonders. It won't be easy to win that starting jersey, with Hogg, Tommy Seymour and Sean Maitland staking their claims for a run out in the Six Nations, but with the form he's been in under Richard Cockerill, it's proving pretty hard to ignore him.

There's skyrocketing to form and then there's Bath's back-rower. Sam Underhill has been sensational in recent months, and with his defensive save on Scott Williams against Wales last February, and an unstoppable try that beat Beauden Barrett of all people in November cropping up on the highlight reel, it begs the question of just what else can this man do when he wears the rose? Yes England have had a selection crisis lately, with Eddie Jones struggling to find his perfect starting XV, but I can't see any reasons to leave Underhill off that team sheet.

Italians probably hate this time of year thinking about the tournaments return to our screens. But if I was a fan of L'azzuri, I'd be in much better spirits this time round. O'Shea has worked wonders that two wooden spoon finishes haven't justified, and their showings deserve more credit with this new and refined squad. And one of those who deserves a big mention is Zebre's Minozzi. The Pro14 outfit have found themselves a diamond in the rough who has been lighting up European rugby in recent seasons, and his debut last term gave some big names a scare, with his try against Wales being the most notable of all. Continue to perform like that and I feel a shock on the cards coming on against a team least expecting it.

An in form Davies is dangerous for your defensive line. An in form Davies who has been rested for a year after a serious injury who is fresh and raring to go is simply deadly. The two time man of the series for the Lions tour is back and hungry for action as his lengthy spell on the sidelines came to and end in last November's autumn internationals. And it says an awful lot about a player who is making the team of the year when he's only been actively playing for two months out of 12. Heroic stuff, expect more in the coming weeks.

I know I praise him a lot, but Skinner for me is the one I've got my eye on in that second row. There are some colossal names in this tournament who hold that scrum together, Alun Wyn Jones and Maro Itoje to name a few, but my pick goes to Exeter's number five to steal the show. His scrummaging and line-out abilities will have Scottish mouths watering at the thought of his debut against the Italians 2 February. And the fact he can go to six as well only bolsters Scotland's back row who could still be without skipper John Barclay as he recovers from a torn achilles. Exeter's Chiefs will have a big presence in this tournament, so good luck to them as they continue with their Premiership title ambitions, but I'm sure those loyal to Six Nations rugby will be excited to see how the Devonshire lads get on.

Discipline is a big word in the game of rugby, and that became important to Thomas after a heavy night out after last years 32-26 loss in Edinburgh. A bust up in the town left the winger off the team sheet, which for French fans was a massive blow, as not only did he cross the whitewash twice that weekend, but he's been scoring tries left right and centre almost every week in a Racing 92 strip. Give the man a full five weekends of Six Nations rugby, and the rise of the French could reach new heights as their reformed side look to bring back their 2000's form, and that could be catastrophic for the rest of us, but wouldn't that just tear up the complicated script a little bit more.

Seven tries in five games. That is impressive. I don't really read into comments about how wingers finish moves off and make them look pretty and do the easy bit, because that isn't how Ulster's finest has been doing things. The record try scorer for the Six Nations and Northern Ireland's Sports Personality of the Year is set to hit the ground running in his second tournament as Ireland look to perform the rare act of winning back to back Grand Slams, and without him, it's hard to see how they would accomplish that without him. After all, his efforts did down the All Blacks in Dublin, and that isn't exactly easy these days.

Jones has received a lot of stick for that away day in Cardiff in November, but for someone who has an 85% tackle success rate, higher than Ryan Crotty, Davies, Robbie Henshaw, and some of the biggest names at centre speaks volumes about Scotland's try scoring machine. Two impressive scores against England and a legendary showing against the Springboks, don't come without a sixth sense for try scoring ability, and his attacking lines have been annihilating hopes for teams around the world. Three home games for the Scots could provide some serious damage to the table, and Jones will only be looking to contribute to that as the tournament progresses.

He's the player of the year for 2018, and that title alone is enough of a draw in my opinion. Ireland's hero will inevitably be looking to make 2019 his best year yet as his career looks to draw to a close, and a second successive title and a World Cup win would be the crème de la crème on what has been an outstanding run for the Leinsterman. We might not get as stunning a drop-goal as last year, but when Sexton pulls the strings, we sure do get a spectacular display of rugby genius, and Joey Carberry might be looking to step up when he steps aside, but that's beyond mission impossible. His attacking mindset is second to none, and I'm sure I speak for all when I say I can't wait to see what Dublin's finest has in store this time round.