The 2013 Six Nations is likely to be as open and unpredictable as it was last season. Wales head into this year’s tournament renewal as Champions. En route to their 25th title, they snatched up the Grand Slam and Triple Crown as well, thanks to the 66 points hauled in by Leigh Halfpenny, the tournament’s top scorer. However, the Welsh were unable to capitalise on their success. After wrapping up last season’s title with a 16-9 win over France, since a 30-21 win over the Barbarians at the start of last June, Wales have gone on a seven match losing streak in International Tests and are suddenly not looking a good fit for their title defence. A long injury list at the turn of the new year as well, could have a major impact on their 2013 Six Nations campaign.
With Wales looking a shaky prospect and drifting with the bookmakers, it could leave the door open for a two way battle between England and France for the title. France, after powering their way to the final of the 2011 Rugby World Cup, simply couldn’t convert that momentum into a profitable Six Nations campaign in 2012, picking up just two wins. However, Les Bleus picked up some form over the second half of the 2012 season, putting in a mightily powerful demolition job as they crushed Australia 33-6 in the Autumn Series. The mercurial French flair and power running puts them as favourites to take their first title in the Six Nations since 2010.
England, the 2011 Six Nations titleist, took a new, more positive and youthful direction in 2012 under the guidance of head coach Stuart Lancaster. The young English side started to play with more of an attacking mind and almost took the title from the Welsh. Lancaster’s men, while still more potential than finished product at the moment, should have taken some big lessons from the summer and Autumn series. They suffered two narrow defeats against before taking a draw in the final test in a three match series against the Springboks in South Africa in the summer, before being edged out by Australia and South Africa in the Autumn series. However, in their final flourish of the Rugby Union year, the true potential ceiling of England was realised as they snapped New Zealand’s long unbeaten streak by inflicting their biggest ever win over the World Champion Kiwis in front of a jubilant Twickenham.
If the England which beat New Zealand turns up, then they will be favourites. But with questions over both theirs and the French side’s consistencies, the 2013 Six Nations should be an open affair. The odds on there being a Grand Slam this season does look relatively slim, just as it is hard to see any of the home nations completing the Triple Crown. Only one of the last three Six Nations tournament have finished with a Triple Crown (Wales in 2012).
Ireland, like Wales had a tough 2012, while Scotland, who scored a famous win in Australia back in June of last year, took a confidence knocking in the Autumn series, which concluded with a shock defeat at home against Tonga. That result prompted coach Andy Robinson to resign a day later. Italy still look a long way short of mustering up any sort of Championship winning credentials and look a sound bet for the Wooden Spoon. Scotland are most likely to be in a fight with them to avoid finishing last.
Some of the key men in the championship could be England’s Owen Farrell, who is learning his role as number 10 for the international side, and just how many chances winger Chris Ashton gets. Wales will be hoping that the presence and fitness of captain Sam Warburton inspires them to a title defence and the form of French scrum half Morgan Parra could be crucial as he pushes Frederic Michalak for a starting role. It could be Parra’s partnership with Francois Trinh-Duc which ignites France towards the championship.
With Wales looking a shaky prospect and drifting with the bookmakers, it could leave the door open for a two way battle between England and France for the title. France, after powering their way to the final of the 2011 Rugby World Cup, simply couldn’t convert that momentum into a profitable Six Nations campaign in 2012, picking up just two wins. However, Les Bleus picked up some form over the second half of the 2012 season, putting in a mightily powerful demolition job as they crushed Australia 33-6 in the Autumn Series. The mercurial French flair and power running puts them as favourites to take their first title in the Six Nations since 2010.
England, the 2011 Six Nations titleist, took a new, more positive and youthful direction in 2012 under the guidance of head coach Stuart Lancaster. The young English side started to play with more of an attacking mind and almost took the title from the Welsh. Lancaster’s men, while still more potential than finished product at the moment, should have taken some big lessons from the summer and Autumn series. They suffered two narrow defeats against before taking a draw in the final test in a three match series against the Springboks in South Africa in the summer, before being edged out by Australia and South Africa in the Autumn series. However, in their final flourish of the Rugby Union year, the true potential ceiling of England was realised as they snapped New Zealand’s long unbeaten streak by inflicting their biggest ever win over the World Champion Kiwis in front of a jubilant Twickenham.
If the England which beat New Zealand turns up, then they will be favourites. But with questions over both theirs and the French side’s consistencies, the 2013 Six Nations should be an open affair. The odds on there being a Grand Slam this season does look relatively slim, just as it is hard to see any of the home nations completing the Triple Crown. Only one of the last three Six Nations tournament have finished with a Triple Crown (Wales in 2012).
Ireland, like Wales had a tough 2012, while Scotland, who scored a famous win in Australia back in June of last year, took a confidence knocking in the Autumn series, which concluded with a shock defeat at home against Tonga. That result prompted coach Andy Robinson to resign a day later. Italy still look a long way short of mustering up any sort of Championship winning credentials and look a sound bet for the Wooden Spoon. Scotland are most likely to be in a fight with them to avoid finishing last.
Some of the key men in the championship could be England’s Owen Farrell, who is learning his role as number 10 for the international side, and just how many chances winger Chris Ashton gets. Wales will be hoping that the presence and fitness of captain Sam Warburton inspires them to a title defence and the form of French scrum half Morgan Parra could be crucial as he pushes Frederic Michalak for a starting role. It could be Parra’s partnership with Francois Trinh-Duc which ignites France towards the championship.