TALK about a tough start... and that’s just me trying to pick the winner of tonight’s opener when France play Ireland.
It’s almost too close to call and I’m splitting hairs by going for France just because they’re on home soil.
For me, the Six Nations is between these two.
England have a great start with Italy away and Wales at home, and it’s amazing how the mindset changes with the momentum a couple of wins can bring.
But if they continue to play as they have — the World Cup display against South Africa being the exception — they won’t be up there.
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That’s why coach Steve Borthwick has to put his neck on the block and show who we are.
I don’t mind finishing third or even fourth, as long as we see signs of a new England.
Wales have a lot of untried and untested players, so this is their big chance, and every time they are written off, they always seem to play out of their skin.
Coach Warren Gatland has been around for a long time, but definitely has his work cut out this time and it could be a tough Six Nations for the Welsh.
Scotland have a backline to rival any in the competition, especially with the magician Finn Russell at No 10.
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If they can lay a platform up front, they’ll get something from the backs but I’m not sure they can.
Having said that, Scotland WILL cause problems, they can cause some upsets and they are at home to France and England.
When it comes to the Six Nations winner, though, look no further than tonight in Marseille.
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For me, that’s France... but only just.
And I might still change my mind by kick-off!
