SCOTLAND
Coach
New Zealander Vern Cotter took over in time for the 2014 summer tour and had a good first few months in the job before losing all five games in last year’s Six Nations. Showed at the Rugby World Cup, however, that he had got the players to buy into his game plan, and is confident that they can continue the improvement this year.
Form guide
Improving steadily. They reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup thanks to wins over Japan, the United States and Samoa - the last a close-run thing in which victory was achieved thanks in large part to the excellent leadership from captain Greig Laidlaw. Lost by a point to Australia in last eight.
That campaign followed a series of four World Cup warm-up games, two of which were won - home and away against Italy - and two lost, to Ireland and France. The Italy wins were welcome relief after a 2015 Six Nations in which they lost all five matches.
Strengths
The pack, particularly the front row, is the strongest it has been for decades. Backs such as Finn Russell, Mark Bennett and Stuart Hogg are all real dangers in attack, and there is a growing self-belief throughout the team.
Weaknesses
Small squad means Scotland are very susceptible to disruption by injuries. They can also lack composure in crucial moments of big games.
Prediction
Fourth
ENGLAND
Coach
Eddie Jones, who made his name in his native Australia, was one of the stars of the World Cup when he led Japan to three victories in the pool stages, including the biggest upset in the history of the tournament when they defeated South Africa. He has replaced Stuart Lancaster, who presided over a dismal home World Cup.
Form guide
Yet to play under Jones, but should feel a new lease of life after the disappointment of failing to get out of the pool stages at the World Cup, where they lost to Wales and Australia.
Strengths
Have immense playing resources and a lot of money to throw at the national side. George Ford and Owen Farrell could become a potent dual fulcrum in midfield, and the forwards have the strength to control the tempo of games.
Weaknesses
Jones must erase a pedestrian mentality that has cost them dearly in big games, when their self-belief often seems to desert them. His appointment as captain of the oft-suspended Dylan Hartley, however, has made him a hostage to fortune.
Prediction
Third
IRELAND
Coach
Joe Schmidt, once an assistant coach to Vern Cotter in New Zealand, left Leinster to take over from Declan Kidney in 2013. Led his team to the championship last year.
Form guide
They stretched a winning run to ten matches in the spring of last year, and although they then lost to Wales, they recovered to win the Six Nations by points differential thanks to a victory at Murrayfield on a frantic final day of the tournament. They played excellently for much of the pool stages at the World Cup, but were then blown away by Argentina in the quarter-finals.
Strengths
They are a richly experienced squad who have a proven ability to finish with their noses in front in big games - at least against most other European teams.
Weaknesses
The retirals of first Brian O’Driscoll and then Paul O’Connell have deprived them of two of rugby’s greatest ever players. A relative decline from the heights enjoyed when those two were in their pomp is unavoidable.
Prediction
Second
WALES
Coach
Warren Gatland has been in charge for nearly a decade now, presiding over the Grand Slam victories in 2008 and 2012 - both times, it should be noted, after a World Cup year. He stepped aside from the job briefly in 2013 in order to coach the British and Irish Lions for their tour to Australia.
Form guide
Inspired at times at the World Cup, they enjoyed an unforgettable pool win over England before losing to Australia to go through as runners-up. Were then just edged out by South Africa in the quarter-final, but were arguably the most impressive Northern Hemisphere side at the tournament.
Strengths
Dynamic, disciplined and driven, Wales know the kind of game plan needed to win in the Six Nations and they invariably execute it very well.
Weaknesses
Three important backs - Leigh Halfpenny, Scott Williams and Rhys Webb - are out injured. Other players, notably captain Sam Warburton, are doubts for the first match.
Prediction
Champions
FRANCE
Coach
Guy Noves, the veteran who was in charge of Toulouse for many years, has taken over from the unlamented Philippe Saint-Andre.
Form guide
Patchy at best. They qualified for the quarter-finals of the World Cup, coming second to Ireland in the pool, but were then absolutely shredded by New Zealand, going down 62-13 to opponents who have often had good reason to fear them over the years. Went into the final day of last year’s Six Nations Championship with an outside chance of taking the title, but a 55-35 defeat by England consigned them to fourth place.
Strengths
They remain a richly talented squad with the ability to win a match in a number of different ways. At their best, experienced men such as Louis Picamoles and Wesley Fofana can swiftly turn a game in France’s favour.
Weaknesses
They have played relatively poorly for so long now - having claimed three fourth places and a Wooden Spoon under Saint-Andre - that what began by looking like a blip should perhaps be regarded instead as their genuine form. In other words, while they have some outstanding individuals, they may struggle to recall how to put all the parts together to create a winning team. The loss of Thierry Dusautoir, the captain who retired from international rugby after the World Cup, could also hit hard.
Prediction
Fifth
ITALY
Coach
Frenchman Jacques Brunel will remain in charge until the end of the season, when he is expected to be succeeded by Connor O’Shea, currently with Harlequins. Brunel appeared to have run out of steam during the World Cup warm-up matches, and his team fared little better in the tournament itself, finishing third in their pool between Ireland and France.
Form guide
They deserve some credit for keeping their shape well enough to beat both Canada and Romania at the World Cup, but also enjoyed more than their fair share of luck. Never looked capable of springing an upset by beating either France or Ireland. Lost all three of their World Cup warm-ups, two to Scotland and one to Wales.
Strengths
Sergio Parisse, their captain and No 8, has dragged them to victory at times through a combination of wiliness and an indomitable will to win. Their pack is traditionally very strong, and once they get some momentum behind them they often exhibit an unshakable self-belief.
Weaknesses
There is only one Sergio Parisse, and when he is injured or off form, Italy struggle. They lack real quality in the backs, and the team as a whole does not always seem to know what kind of game suits it best. Traditionally reliant for wins on an out-of-sorts Scotland or at times a demotivated France, they are likely to find both those teams in no mood to indulge them this season. A transitional campaign awaits.
Prediction
Last
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