So, it’s that time of year again where the rugby world turns its attention to perhaps the most coveted Northern hemisphere tournament that is the Six Nations. Last year, the Welsh excelled once again and took home another Grand Slam to add to their impressive collection, their third within the space of seven years. 2012 also saw many new players emerge and become established at test level, from the likes of the ice-cool Owen Farrell to the powerful Wesley Fofana.
Now that the 2013 Six Nations tournament is just around the corner, players from Ireland, Scotland, Wales & England will also be looking to stake their claims for the upcoming British & Irish Lions tour to Australia this summer.
Here are my six players (one from each nation) to watch out for in this year’s tournament.
ENGLAND – Joe Launchbury
Arguably as England’s find of the autumn internationals in 2012, the Wasps lock excelled himself during England’s autumn test matches, thus earning himself England’s player of the series in the process.
Standing at 6ft 6, the 21-year old has endured numerous praises and has been compared in some quarters as the new Martin Johnson, which is quite a comparison for someone in a very fledgling test career. If his excellent form continues, don’t be surprised if a Lions call-up comes calling.
With the likes of Morgan Parra & Dimitri Yachvili, scrum half is one of departments where the French have real strength in depth. However, this 24-year old is poised to have a big tournament having made his debut during the autumn internationals in 2012, impressing in big wins over Australia & Argentina. His main asset is his game management at scrum half, though he does have some experience with goal-kicking and it wouldn't be a surprise if France utilise his place kicking at some point during the tournament. However, with the kicking form of flyhalf Frederic Michalak, this would probably be unlikely.
With Morgan Parra also in top form, expect a titanic battle for a starting place between these two, though at the moment with his excellent performances for Racing Metro, Machenaud edges him for a starting spot.
Already being hailed as Ireland’s answer to Shane Williams, the 21-year old Ulster winger burst onto the scene in 2010 with two tries on his debut against the Cardiff Blues. With his darting runs and eye for the try line, Gilroy has been in excellent form so far this season and was rewarded with a debut against Argentina back in the autumn of 2012 and also scoring a memorable try in the process, most notably described by BBC commentator Andrew Cotter “He’s dancing, he’s shimmying, he’s scoring!”
With one of Ireland’s most experienced wingers Tommy Bowe injured for this tournament, this is going to be a monumental opportunity for Gilroy and he could be the key attacking threat in Ireland’s back three alongside Rob Kearney & Simon Zebo. A Lions call-up could suffice if he takes his good club form into the tournament, which would be quite an achievement for such a fledgling young talent.
This 22-year old has already become a mainstay in the Italian backline ever since he burst onto the European rugby scene in 2010 scoring four tries in two Heineken cup matches against Perpignan & Leicester for his club Treviso.
His versatility proves an asset to a much mailigned & misfiring Italian back line, with the ability to play on the wing, centre and fullback. Expect him to see being utilised at his regular position of outside centre in this year’s tournament and continue Italy’s growth under Jacques Brunel.
The towering 6ft 9in lock shot to prominence in the 2011 Six Nations, with his mesmering performance against the French in Paris being his standout game. Since then, he has brought his dynamic play and key lineout operation into the Aviva Premiership, albeit in a struggling Sale Sharks side. Though it has to be said, he has relatively nailed down a place in the Scotland side in the time since as one of their key go-to men in the lineout.
His name has been banded around as one of the starting locks for the British & Irish Lions this summer and you can bet your bottom dollar he will be one of the first names on the plane for the visit down under with the form that he has been in of late.
WALES – Justin Tipuric
WALES – Justin Tipuric
One of the rising stars of the Welsh game, Justin has been in red hot form for the Ospreys over the past year but has failed to break into the Wales lineup due to the presence of captain Sam Warburton at his position of openside flanker. Some commentators think Wales are missing a trick in not playing him in the side as Warburton is not regarded as a 7 in some quarters.
With a lot of pace to boot and a lot of turnover prowess at the breakdown when he’s on the pitch, this player has become the envy of opposing sides. Expect to see him utilised in some shape or form during this year’s tournament.
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As to predictions for winning the tournament, my predictions for the final table are as follows:
1) England
2) Ireland
3) France
4) Wales
5) Scotland
6) Italy
Roll on Saturday 1.30pm for the first match, Wales v Ireland! Enjoy the tournament folks!