Six Nations: Nine Kiwi players and coaches adorn Europe's elite 2022 rugby tournament

There are nine Kiwi players and coaches in Europe's elite rugby tournament. Only England and Scotland will not have Kiwis in their 2022 teams. Sean Maitland was briefly recalled to the Scots’ training squad, but was released back to his Saracens club this week.

Six Nations 2022 is Europe's elite rugby tournament. Nine Kiwi players and coaches will play there.

Atonio was born in Timaru to Samoan parents and joined La Rochelle in 2011. He was first capped in 2014 and made France's World Cup squad in 2015. Atonios was omitted from the 2019 tour party but has since been recalled for the November series.

Bunnie Aki has played 33 times for New Zealand and Ireland. Aki won his first cap under Joe Schmidt in 2017 and was part of the Grand Slam winning Six Nations squad in 2018. He was also selected for the British and Irish Lions' South African tour last year.

Isaac Boss was the first Kiwi halfback to play for Ireland. Gibson-Park is fast proving a worthy successor in the No 9 jumper. He played for Taranaki, the Blues and the Hurricanes and for Leinster.

Joey Carbery made his professional debut with Leinster in 2016. He joined Munster for more game-time in 2018. Carberry made Ireland's first test debut against the All Blacks in Chicago in November 2016, four days after his 21st birthday.

Hame Faiva, 27, is a hooker of Tongan heritage. He played NPC rugby for Waikato from 2013 to 2017 and for the Blues in 2017. Faivia played for Benetton in Treviso at the end of that season. His first international match was against Uruguay in 2021.

Kieran Crowley is the head coach of Italy. He played rugby for New Zealand from 1983 to 1991. Crowley was part of two World Cup squads. He was Benetton's head manager from 2016 to 2021.

Gareth Anscombe has been out for over two years with a serious knee injury. Anscomb returned to club rugby last September and made his Wales test comeback against the All Blacks at the end of October. He played a major role in Wales' 2019 Six Nations Grand Slam success in Warren Gatland's farewell campaign. Dan Biggar will replace Alun Wyn Jones as captain of Wales.

Uilisi Haloholo is about to enter his second Six Nations tournament. He made his debut against Scotland at Murrayfield last year. Halaholo played on the champion Six-Nations team last season. William Halholi is set to play for Wales against Ireland.

There are nine Kiwi players and coaches in the squad for the 2022 Six Nations. Johnny Nichololl is a winger who played for Canterbury and the Crusaders. He is also a fullback who plays for Scarlets.

Wayne Pivac is the head coach of Wales. He replaced Warren Gatland in 2014. PIVAC won the Six Nations with Wales in 2017. He will be looking to defend the title this year. Wales are beset by injuries to their top players.

Nine Kiwi players and coaches have been selected for Europe's elite rugby tournament in 2022.

Ireland play Wales in the opening round of the 2022 Six Nations on Sunday at 3.15 am NZ time. Scotland play England at 5.45 am.