A mild winter comes to an end and spring breakes into a siberian winter so we know the Welsh will be fine after all their ice training in their Polish gulag.Last year I correctly predicted England would prevail so here's hoping lighting strikes twice.
Ireland-Verdict: 1st
How will Ireland cope without our greatest player? Would we have beaten France in 2007 and so won the Grand Slam if Brian was fit. Would we have won against England in 2008 in our only defeat since 2003 if Brian was fit? Both times the likely answer is yes and it will be impossible to really replace him.
The difference there and here was he got injured when we were expecting him to play. Ireland has had months to adjust to life after Brian and the provinces have been electric including O Driscoll’s Leinster. Of course we would be better with but we can win and Declan is obviously more keen to win this Six Nations than blood new players. With IRB rankings in a World Cup draw year and the Lions job to be decided, anything less than a Six Nations title would be a failure
We’ll know our fate inside 2 weeks but we’re meeting Wales at the perfect time and even a defeat to France may see us collect the title as I expect France to lose later in the tournament.
9/2 is too generous to turn down
France-Verdict: 2nd
The Liermont era is over and France are again the side to beat after losing unluckily to New Zealand in the final. They have England and Ireland in the Stade de France and looking at their 22 shows what depth they have to have players like Parra, I Harinordoquy & M Mermoz on the bench. It is their tournament to lose and hopefully they'll do just that. I cannot see them beating Wales though on the final day even if they are coming to win a Grand Slam
Wales-Verdict:3rd
After watching this youthful side destroy Ireland and look to have the better of France in the semi finals, they immediately went to the top of the market for this seasons Six Nations however no cryotherapy chamber can hide the fact Wales are battered and bruised going into this campaign. The likelihood is the bodies feel like the year is in May rather than February and injuries to key positions could cost Wales for the first 3 matches. Ireland are meeting them at the perfect time and even if Jamie Roberts gets on the field on Sunday, I refuse to believeit will be at full fitness and he was vital in their world cup win. Priestland , Lydiate & Rees also injured and Shane Williams retired, it’s hard to see them winning at the Aviva. Win however and they will be favourites and by the time France roll into town, they’ll be near full strength again
Scotland-Verdict: 4th
I have always rated Scotland higher than most and I can see them winning against England in Murrayfield and running Wales close the following week but they don’t score tries and that doesn’t look like changing until Tim Visser gains nationality in the summer. Two wins would be a good campaign
Italy-Verdict: 5th
Italy are promising big things and have moved their home against England to the Stadio Olimpico and will be the biggest attended game ever ni Italy. Last season they defeated France and should have defeated Ireland and I can see them in with a real chance of winning both home games this campaign. Scotland will be seen as the most likely but England could find themselves bottom of the pile after two supposed easy matches
England-Verdict: 6th
Let me say of course it’s a longshot to back England for the wooden spoon but fortune favours the brave and at 12/1, it’s worth a nibble. England could be anything and they need this Six Nations with no expectation or pressure for a new line of players to find their feet. Their backline has explosive talent in players like Christ Ashton and Ben Foden but I don’t consume much Sky hype and one team for 8 in the Heineken cup quarter finals shows the strength of English rugby right now
| Win | Grand Slam | Triple Crown | Bottom | |
| France | 6/4 | 4/1 | 66/1 | |
| Wales | 11/4 | 15/2 | 5/1 | 20/1 |
| England | 4/1 | 10/1 | 10/3 | 11/1 |
| Ireland | 9/2 | 10/1 | 10/3 | 18/1 |
| Scotland | 25/1 | 100/1 | 28/1 | 11/4 |
| Italy | 200/1 | 1000/1 | 8/15 | |
| None | 4/6 | 6/4 |
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