I suspect that there will be a World Cup hangover for some of the teams.
England .. The Saracens players could be demoralised knowing that their wage packets are doomed to shrink substantially. Billy Vunipola again has a broken arm (he should seriously consider retirement), his brother looks to be dead on his feet and to have been the victim of a terrible traffic accident.
Eddie Jones has continued to select the indifferent (to put it politely) Ben Youngs and George Ford when the half back weakness is just self evident, and he has ignored one of the most consistent back row forwards of the past two seasons, Alex Dombrandt as well as Dombrandt's Harlequins team mate the exciting stand off Marcus smith.
Ireland .. Terrible in Japan and the team is now quite aged. They are not the real powerhouses of two years ago. Too dependant on an over the hill pair of half backs, although their backs remain dangerous and good to watch. They will always give it a right go though.
Scotland .. Trouble at mill amongst the players and coaches, they simply lack strength in depth and nowadays their bravery and total commitment is matched by most other teams.
Wales .. Lost their guru coach. Like Ireland the squad is looking a bit shopworn although the Welsh always produce quality players and their pattern of play is well set and seems easy for new blood to quickly adapt to.
Italy .. Errrrrrr they can only improve but it will not be in this tournament
France .. Their new coach has selected a very young and inexperienced squad but one full of promise. Like English footballers, the French do VERY well at junior level but find it hard to progress the youth into full internationals. I have a feeling this season they will be the team to beat, England first up will be very decisive. (I have traitorously put a few quid on the French to win the thing at 9/1)
Four of the six have new coaches replacing very successful long term incumbents. Will they be able to adapt to new regimes and will the new coaches take the view of 'if it ain't broke', or attempt to bring different styles of play ?
Best coaching appointment ? .. Shaun Edwards. After the Welsh grand slam of last year and the departure of Warren Gatland, Edwards decided to go back to Rugby League as coach of Wigan, the club where as a player, he won everything there was to win. He is still the only player to captain England schoolboys in both Rugby codes. The French however made him an offer he could not refuse to stay in Union and he is now their defence coach. The man is a rugby genius and it is a disgrace that England has never appointed him in any capacity after years ago, he turned down a role as coach to the Saxons, the England reserve squad. England's loss has been for the past eight years Wales' gain and now he will be planning the French defence. You can bet that that will be no Maginot line !!
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ah well only 6 weeks till Cheltenham.
think wales will win it.
Furbank at full back .. a proper full back and not a converted winger ..
Ewels in the second row .. surprise selection ahead of Kruis ..
Lawes in the back row .. played there before, indicates that Jones is going for a hard nosed approach ..
no Mako Vunipola, Marler at l'head prop ..
Tom Curry at number 8 .. now able to play in any of the three back row roles.
Just a few changes from the world cup selection .. he is persevering with Ford & Youngs at half back .. we will see on Sunday
Will be an interesting first game
Furbank ? .. Northampton player, very fast, elusive runner, solid catcher/kicker .. reminds me of Ben Foden, if you remember him ((:>)
Mind you he (Launchbury) didn't even make the 23 for most of the World Cup so probably not. Jones just doesn't seem to rate him.
Dead chuffed!