Six Nations: France favourites, but have it tougher in '23

With the highly-anticipated Six Nations set to kick-off this week, catch up on how each team is shaping upof the nations that will be challenging for the honour of top European team in 2023.

FRANCE
Last year: ChampionsCoach: Fabien GalthieCaptain: Antoine Dupont

Key Players: Damian Penauld (wing), Romain Ntamack (flyhalf), Gregory Aldritt (No 8), Gael Fickou (centre), Cyril Baille (prop)

Since winning their first Grand Slam in 12 years, France continued their excellent form through 2022, finishing the year unbeaten and taking their winning run to 13 Tests in a row. That form has made them favourites to defend their Six Nations title and claim the World Cup on home soil later in the year.

However, a combination of a tougher fixture list in this year’s Six Nations as well as injuries to key personnel could make defending the crown far tougher. France face Ireland and England away from home this year and they will have to deal with those trips to the Aviva and Twickenham without the services of centre Jonathan Danty, wing Gabin Villiere and lock Cameron Woki.

Still, France boast a world-class squad led by Antoine Dupont and proved throughout 2022 that they have very few weaknesses on attack and defence.

IRELAND
Last year: 2ndCoach: Andy FarrellCaptain: Johnny Sexton

Key Players: Tadhg Furlong (prop), Tadhg Beirne (lock/flank), Peter O’Mahony (flank), Josh van der Flier (flank), Jamison Gibson-Park (scrumhalf)

While they were beaten to the Six Nations title by four log points, Ireland celebrated one of their finest years in 2022 by climbing to become the number-one ranked team in the world. It’s a position they still hold, following a November that saw them beat South Africa, Australia and Fiji at home.

Ireland have been in this position before, though, going into 2019 flying high, but finishing third in the Six Nations and losing to Japan and New Zealand at the World Cup. However, according to Opta Stats, Ireland’s win rate at the Six Nations in World Cup years (72%) is higher than it is in non-World Cup years (64%).

As a boost to coach Andy Farrell, his squad is comparatively free of injury issues and includes 2022 World Player of the Year Josh van der Flier. Ireland do only have two games at home this year, but those two Tests are against title-rivals England and France, so they will have to make home-ground advantage count.

ENGLAND
Last year: 3rdCoach: Steve BorthwickCaptain: Owen Farrell

Key Players: Jamie George (hooker), Maro Itoje (lock), Ben Youngs (scrumhalf), Marcus Smith (flyhalf), Freddie Steward (fullback)

England have endured a tumultuous period since last year’s Six Nations, winning a series in Australia, before losing to Argentina and South Africa and drawing with the All Blacks in the November internationals.

A run of five wins in 13 Tests in 2022 was enough to see Eddie Jones sacked from his position as head coach, with Leicester’s Premiership-winning coach and former England international Steve Borthwick taking over in mid-December. After being booed off the field in their final home match at Twickenham, Borthwick will be eager to re-install the faith in his side as he seeks a quick turnaround in England’s fortunes ahead of the World Cup.

Borthwick has kept the spine of his squad relatively similar to the one under Jones, but could unleash talented young wings Cadan Murley and Ollie Hassell-Collins, who have been excellent in the Premiership.

SCOTLAND
Last year: 4thCoach: Gregor TownsendCaptain: Jamie Ritchie

Key Players: Hamish Watson (flank), Jonny Gray (lock), Ali Price (scrumhalf), Stuart Hogg (fullback), Finn Russell (flyhalf), Duhan van der Merwe (wing)

Scotland got last year’s campaign off to a flying start by stunning England at Murrayfield, but struggled to build on that, only winning one more game against Italy to finish in third place. That trend continued throughout their 2022, as they threatened a rare victory over New Zealand but lost 31-23, before suffering a one-point defeat to Australia.

Turning those close losses into wins will be the major focus for coach Gregor Townsend, as he enters his final year in charge.

Scotland have boast a strong forward pack including two South African-born props Pierre Schoeman and WP Nel, but have boosted their backline with the inclusion of former England wing Ruaridh McConnochie, who has used World Rugby’s new eligibility laws to switch nations.

WALES
Last year: 5thCoach: Warren GatlandCaptain: Ken Owens

Key Players: Taulupe Faletau (No 8), Adam Beard (lock), Justin Tupiric (flank), Dan Biggar (flyhalf), George North (centre), Liam Williams (fullback)

A difficult 2022 marked by the historic home losses to Italy and Georgia was enough for Wales to usher Wayne Pivac out the door and recall Warren Gatland in December.

Gatland, whose first tenure ended after the 2019 World Cup, has wasted no time in making big calls, dropping Alun Wyn Jones as captain and instead giving the job to veteran hooker Ken Owens.

Wales have one of the most experienced squads in the Six Nations, with three centurions in Jones, Dan Biggar and George North, while Taulupe Faletau (95 caps) and Leigh Halfpenny (97 caps) could reach their centuries at this year’s tournament.

ITALY
Last year: 6thCoach: Kieran CrowleyCaptain: Michele Lamaro

Key Players: Paolo Garbisi (flyhalf), Ange Cappuozo (fullback), Jake Polledri (flank), Luca Bigi (hooker), Matteo Minozzi (fullback)

Despite finishing as wooden spoonists for the seventh year in a row, Italy finally proved that they belonged among the top dogs in 2022.Not only did they end a run of 36 straight defeats in the Championship with that famous win over Wales, but they followed it up with an emphatic victory over Samoa and a home victory against Australia in November.

The major task for Kieran Crowley this year will be to lift Italy off the bottom of the table for the first time since 2015.

Italy have a deadly backline that includes fit-again star flyhalf Paolo Garbisi and last year’s World Young Player of the Year Ange Cappuozo. Loose forward Jake Polledri is back after a nightmare run of injuries to further boost Italy’s pack.