Six Nations Outright: France can take advantage of much-changed rivals
The 2024 Six Nations Championship begins on Friday, 2nd February, with 15 games to come between the top teams in the Northern Hemisphere.
It was Ireland that took the title in 2023, also securing the Grand Slam, but a lot has changed in the last 12 months and it promises to be a fascinating tournament.
No fewer than three of the six teams will have new captains, with several nations looking to rebuild after last year’s World Cup.
France were the victors two years ago and Fabien Galthie’s men will look to bounce back from the disappointment of failing to lift the Webb Ellis Cup on home soil.
Tip 1 – France to win the Six Nations @ 11/10
Champions in 2022, Les Bleus finished second last year with defeat to Ireland in Dublin ending their hopes of back-to-back Six Nations titles.
France look to have a perfect mix of youth and experience in their squad and the fixture list has also been kind to Galthie’s squad.
Three of their five matches take place on French soil and their two away fixtures are in Scotland and Wales, two teams who appear to be in transition.
The French scored more points than anyone else in the 2023 Championship (174), running in 21 tries and two of their players topping the scoring charts.
Winger Damian Penaud crossed the whitewash five times to be the tournament’s top try scorer, while full-back Thomas Ramos scored 84 points – a massive 49 points more than second-placed Johnny Sexton.
Ramos is also top points scorer in this season’s Champions Cup, while French teams – Toulouse and Bordeaux Begles – currently top two of the four pools in Europe’s top club competition.
Tip 2 – England Top Try Scorer – Immanuel Feyi-Waboso @ 7/2
After reaching the World Cup semi-finals last year, confidence should be high in the England camp, despite the loss of their former captain Owen Farrell.
The Saracens star decided in late 2023 to take a break from international rugby and that has led to the appointment of Jamie George as the new skipper.
No fewer than 15 of their 36-man training squad are under the age of 25 and that looks to signify the start of a new era under coach Steve Borthwick.
One of those new players that’s set to make a big impact is Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, who looks likely to make his debut against Italy in Rome.
The Exeter winger, who chose to play for England despite being born in Wales, is just 21 but could have a big future ahead of him on the biggest stage.
The Chiefs are currently the top points scorers in the 2023-24 Gallagher Premiership, with Feyo-Waboso crossing five times in 11 appearances for his club side.
Tip 3 – Ireland: Exact wins by team – 3 @ 2/1
The big question hanging over the defending champions is how much they will be impacted by the retirement of Johnny Sexton.
As well as being Ireland’s all-time points scorer, Sexton’s example as the team skipper will be hugely missed and his departure looks set to leave a big gap in the squad.
Experienced back-row Peter O’Mahony will take the captain’s armband, but coach Andy Farrell has to decide who is the best option to replace the legendary Sexton at fly-half.
The three stand-offs in the Ireland squad have a combined total of 12 caps between them, but it’s Munster’s Jack Crowley who looks set to be handed the chance to start in the Six Nations opener, against France in Marseille.
Sexton is not the only big miss for new British & Irish Lions coach Farrell, who will also be without winger Mack Hansen due to injury.
Ireland are likely to be strong enough to win their three matches at the Aviva Stadium against Italy, Wales and Scotland but it could be a different story on the road.
The men in green will start at the Stade de France, with their other away game coming at Twickenham on Saturday, 9th March.