Preview: RBS Six Nations

England

Coach: Stuart Lancaster
Captain: Chris Robshaw
Key players: Owen Farrell/Chris Ashton
Last season: 2nd
Odds: 15/8
Our 2013 Prediction: 2nd

• A solid finish to the 2012 season, with narrow defeats to Australia and South Africa before an emphatic victory over New Zealand leaves England the bookies favourites.

• Three home games, including France, give England a real advantage.

• Lancaster's coaching team has had a year together and seem like a group striving toward the same goals, with restoring sound attitudes and pride in the jersey reaping rewards so far.

• England have two tough away games in Dublin and Cardiff, with a relatively new team, is there potential to crack under the Grand Slam pressure?

England have the potential to secure their first Grand Slam since 2003, but with a young team, France looking impressive and Ireland and Wales away, there may be a slip up along the way. Strong contenders, most likely top two finish.


France

Coach: Philippe Saint Andre
Captain: Pascal Pape
Key players: Frederic Michalak/Louis Picamoles
Last season: 4th
Odds: 2/1
Our 2013 Prediction: Champions

• Impressive during the November Tests, winning comfortably against Australia, Argentina and Samoa.

• The draw is not in their favour with three of their five games on the road, including a trip to Twickenham which may well be the title decider.

France, scrappy or fluent usually turn up to the big competitions. With last years disappointment, and a good run in to the championship, they’ll be looking to reassert themselves in N.Hemisphere rugby. A tough game at England could disrupt their Grand Slam hopes but expect France to be a dominant side in this years 6Nations.

Ireland

Coach: Declan Kidney
Captain: Jamie Heaslip
Key players: Brian O'Driscoll/Cian Healy
Last season: 3rd
Odds: 7/2
Our 2013 Prediction: 3rd

• The return of Leinster absentees Sean O'Brien, Brian O'Driscoll and Rob Kearney will have boosted coach Declan Kidney's spirits.

• A good run in to the championship with two wins in the autumn internationals and a close loss to Australia will boost Ireland’s moral.

• Given that Ireland will host both France and England in Dublin, a win away at the Millennium Stadium in Round One would make them candidates to the lift the title

• Concerns remain over their ability to scrummage with the best but an effective line-out and Sexton's ability with boot and hand give Ireland an edge.

Ireland have lost their last three games against Wales, a bad start to the six nations could see their position dropping in the leader boards with their second match against a strong England side. Win in Cardiff and with momentum and home advantage, Ireland could be strong contenders.

Italy

Coach: Jacques Brunel
Captain: Sergio Parisse
Key players: Sergio Parisse/Martin Castrogiovanni
Last season: 5th
Odds: 200/1
Our 2013 Prediction: 6th

• They now truly have the capacity to throw a spanner in the works of the more-established competitors.

• The gap between Italy and the other teams is closing, but for the credibility of the team they need results.

• Italy will always fancy their chances against Scotland.

• After seeing Samoa undo Wales in November, Brunel would have put a red circle around February 23 on his calendar.

Italy are going from strength to strength but are still lacking that cut throat precision to get more than the odd big victory. Playing Scotland away should be the deciding game for the wooden spoon. Sadly for Italy, Scotland may well just have the edge here.

Scotland

Coach: Scott Johnson (interim)
Captain: Kelly Brown
Key players: Tim Visser/Richie Gray
Last season: 6th
Odds: 33/1
Our 2013 Prediction: 5th

• On paper their side is not too shabby, getting the back line firing is their real Achilles heel though.

• The only way is up on last years result.

• Three successive home games against Italy, Ireland and Wales won't be easy for their visitors.

• In truth there is a 'nothing to lose' tag attached to the Scots, which as we've seen in the past, suits them well.

Italy at home should give them the advantage they need to avoid 6th. No pressure and the chance to go out and have fun playing rugby could cause a few a shocks.

Wales

Coach: Rob Howley  (interim)
Captain: Sam Warburton
Key players: Dan Biggar/Leigh Halfpenny
Last season: Champions
Odds: 11/2
Our 2013 Prediction: 4th

• Followed up their success in the Six Nations with a torrid run of seven consecutive defeats. Wales have been written off by many for the title defence.

• Howley's record so far does not read well and any aspirations he holds of taking on the role full-time in the future will rely on an improvement in the Six Nations.

• Howley has highlighted his side's scrum as a weapon but the line-out could well struggle without experienced heads.

• All their prospects hinge on the opening fixture against Ireland - start well and optimism will return.

Wales, although defending champions have very little pressure on them. When the pressure is off, Wales often pull games out of the bag. With George North certain they can regain Grand Slam form and Mike Phillips relishing the prospect of playing Ireland in their opening game, Wales may well not be a complete write off. On current form, key games may slip away from them with line-out losses and unforced errors high.