By Christopher Simpson
The RBS Six Nations Championship 2015 is almost upon us once again, and it's set to be as exciting as ever with Ireland and England going head-to-head to win the tournament.
Reigning champions Ireland will be desperate to retain their title and have the quality to do so. Meanwhile, England, who narrowly lost by a match points difference of just 10 last year, will be equally determined to avoid a fourth consecutive second-place finish.
Of course, the rest of the field can't be discounted. Scotland, Wales, France and Italy will all be doing battle as they bid for the Six Nations crown.
France and Wales in particular will have their sights set on the Championship, while Scotland and Italy will be looking to improve on their poor recent records in the competition.
Here's all the info you need to catch the opening round of fixtures, and you can check out the full tournament schedule here.
England v Italy
Date: Saturday 14th February 2015
Venue: Twickenham Stadium, London
Kick Off: 2:30pm
Referee: John Lacey (IRFU)
TV Coverage: Live on BBC One from 2pm
England play their first home match of the 2015 Six Nations Championship against Italy on Saturday 14th February at Twickenham Stadium.
Last season, title-chasing England thrashed Italy 52-11 in Rome. However, the seven-try romp wasn't enough to claim the title for the English as they narrowly lost out to Ireland on points difference.
England maintain a 100% record against Italy, having won all 20 of their matches played against the Azzurri.
Ireland v France
Date: Saturday 14th February 2015
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Kick Off: 5:00pm
Referee: Wayne Barnes (RFU)
TV Coverage: Live on BBC One from 4:30pm
Ireland play their first home match of the 2015 Six Nations Championship against France at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday 14th February.
Ireland's narrow 22-20 victory over France in last season's corresponding fixture saw the men in green crowned Six Nations Champions.
Ireland and France have played each other on 92 previous occasions, with Ireland winning 30 matches and France winning 55 matches. There have been 7 drawn matches between the two teams.
Scotland v Wales
Date: Sunday 15th February 2015
Venue: Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh
Kick Off: 3:00pm
Referee: Glen Jackson (NZR)
TV Coverage: Live on BBC One from 2:30pm
Scotland take on Wales at the BT Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh on the second weekend of the 2015 Six Nations Championship.
The Scots have lost their last 7 encounters with the Welsh in the Six Nations Championship. Wales beat Scotland by a record 51-3 score in last season's corresponding fixture, in which Stuart Hogg was sent off.
Scotland and Wales have contested a total of 119 matches against each other since 1883. Scotland have won 48 of those matches and Wales have won 68. There have been 3 drawn matches between the two nations.
Date: Saturday 14th February 2015
Venue: Twickenham Stadium, London
Kick Off: 2:30pm
Referee: John Lacey (IRFU)
TV Coverage: Live on BBC One from 2pm
England play their first home match of the 2015 Six Nations Championship against Italy on Saturday 14th February at Twickenham Stadium.
Last season, title-chasing England thrashed Italy 52-11 in Rome. However, the seven-try romp wasn't enough to claim the title for the English as they narrowly lost out to Ireland on points difference.
England maintain a 100% record against Italy, having won all 20 of their matches played against the Azzurri.
Ireland v France
Date: Saturday 14th February 2015
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Kick Off: 5:00pm
Referee: Wayne Barnes (RFU)
TV Coverage: Live on BBC One from 4:30pm
Ireland play their first home match of the 2015 Six Nations Championship against France at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday 14th February.
Ireland's narrow 22-20 victory over France in last season's corresponding fixture saw the men in green crowned Six Nations Champions.
Ireland and France have played each other on 92 previous occasions, with Ireland winning 30 matches and France winning 55 matches. There have been 7 drawn matches between the two teams.
Scotland v Wales
Date: Sunday 15th February 2015
Venue: Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh
Kick Off: 3:00pm
Referee: Glen Jackson (NZR)
TV Coverage: Live on BBC One from 2:30pm
Scotland take on Wales at the BT Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh on the second weekend of the 2015 Six Nations Championship.
The Scots have lost their last 7 encounters with the Welsh in the Six Nations Championship. Wales beat Scotland by a record 51-3 score in last season's corresponding fixture, in which Stuart Hogg was sent off.
Scotland and Wales have contested a total of 119 matches against each other since 1883. Scotland have won 48 of those matches and Wales have won 68. There have been 3 drawn matches between the two nations.
Players to Watch
Anthony Watson, England
Anthony Watson only recently broke into England's starting XV, but has already impressed with his quick feet and lightning pace.
The 20-year-old is versatile and can perform well on the wing or at full-back. Watson, who made his England Test debut in November, is a key figure for Bath and is an explosive talent who will be eager to prove himself in an England jersey. The prospect of him charging at Europe's elite is a mouthwatering one.
Ross Setford/Associated Press
Watson's pace will be a fearsome addition to England's team.
Watson's pace will go some way to making up for the loss of ManuTuilagi to injury, and after the team disappointed in the Autumn Internationals, he isn't the only one with something to prove in a World Cup year.
The likes of Chris Robshaw, Tom Wood and Billy Vunipola are all in good form, which bodes well for England. Despite their injuries, England are set for a good showing at the Six Nations.
Gethin Jenkins, Wales
Regarded as one of the best loose-head props in the world, GethinJenkins has been capped 110 times for his country—Wales' all-time record.
At 34, Jenkins is no spring chicken, but his vast experience can rally Warren Gatland's relatively inexperienced side as they bid to repeat the Six Nations wins of 2012 and 2013.
The likes of Kristian Dacey, Jake Ball, Samson Lee and Scott Baldwin and others are young up-and-comers who will benefit enormously from Jenkins' presence in the squad.
Alastair Grant/Associated Press
Jenkins will lead by example for the younger players.
Jenkins has done it all before and will remain a calm head in crunch matches like the opener against England at the Millennium Stadium. Furthermore, the ever-reliable Jenkins will be there to bail out the youngsters should any of them err.
Though his presence will allow Wales' rookies to acclimatise more easily to the rigours of international rugby, Wales' lack of world-class quality and strength in depth will hamper their chances of a title win.
Jonathan Sexton, Ireland
After such a phenomenal 2014, all eyes will be on Jonathan Sexton to see if he can continue his outstanding form.
The fly-half was a key figure in an Ireland side that lost just once last year. In nine games, Sexton scored 117 points, including four tries, per the Guardian.
Sexton will take enormous confidence from his point-scoring record, and if he can be as clinical this year, then Ireland will be serious contenders not only for the Six Nations, but also the World Cup.
Ian Walton/Getty Images
Sexton's clinical kicking will rack up the points for Ireland.
The 29-year-old could miss Ireland's opening match against Italy as herecovers from concussion, but as important as he is to their Six Nations chances, the game against Italy is the one they can afford to have him miss.
The Irish will look to draw on their title-winning performances from last time around. Boasting strength throughout their squad, particularly in the backs, they have a great chance of defending their title.
Finn Russell, Scotland
Despite only making his debut in 2014, Finn Russell already looks to have established himself in Scotland's side.
The Glasgow Warriors stand-off is dynamic in attack and defence and takes the ball right up to the line with pace.
In just 18 starts for Glasgow, the youngster has scored 163 points. This will be a huge benefit to Scotland, who managed just 47 in the Six Nations last year, the lowest total in the competition.
Stu Forster/Getty Images
Russell is a dynamic and energetic addition to Scotland.
The 22-year-old looks set to use the tournament to cement the stand-off position and develop his own game. Scotland have struggled in this position for a number of years, so Russell's emergence will come as a relief to Vern Cotter.
Scotland will continue to struggle in the Six Nations and won't likely make much of an impact this year, but Russell adds a fear factor to their side, one they've lacked in recent times.
Sergio Parisse, Italy
Italy's talismanic No. 8 will need to be at his usual best to help Italy avoid the dubious honour of "winning" their 10th wooden spoon.
Italy have been slowly and steadily improving as a team over recent years, but remain firm underdogs going into the tournament.
Sergio Parisse, capped 108 times for the Azzurri, has consistently been a shining light for his side.
Alastair Grant/Associated Press
Parisse is Italy's biggest threat, and can drive the Azzurri forward with his incisive passing and powerful runs.
His remarkable array of passing and indomitable spirit command attention, despite featuring in an often disappointing team.
Parisse fits well into Jacques Brunel's expansive style, and he will use his powerful ball-carrying and ability to offload to good effect.
Unfortunately, it will be the same old story for the 31-year-old. He'll put in all the effort in the world, but it won't be enough to overcome Italy's lack of quality or depth.
Camille Lopez, France
Camille Lopez is one of the most exciting talents emerging in the France squad.
The fly-half is the fourth-highest points scorer in the Champions Cup this season with 67 and has scored 37 points in four starts for France.
The 25-year-old is as skilful as he is audacious, as you can see below inClermont Auvergne's match against Sale Sharks in October.
Les Bleus' quicker players will benefit from Lopez's service, as he looks to bring others into play and create space for the forwards.
Lopez will be crucial to France's efforts as they look to improve on last year's mediocre fourth-place finish.
He will dictate their play and, if allowed time and space by the opposition, will do this to devastating effect. Whether the other nations wise up to this will play a large part in determining how well France fair in the tournament.
Predictions
England kick off their Six Nations campaign with one of their hardest matches. When the two sides met in Cardiff in 2013, Wales inflicted a 30-3 humbling on their visitors.
England will be eager to avoid a repeat performance, so expect the game to be a much narrower, but extremely hard-fought affair. Ultimately, having to travel to Wales and Ireland will likely take its toll on Stuart Lancaster's men, so another second-place finish is a likely outcome.
Ireland, meanwhile, will undoubtedly win with ease in the StadioOlimpico. It would take a huge upset for anything other than this result, and Ireland's quality will see them through.
Maintaining their form through 2014, the Irish can see off England's challenge and win a successive Six Nations title and can go one further by reaching the Grand Slam.
The winner of France against Scotland could well decide which team finishes higher, as the pair will be unlikely to mount a serious challenge for the title. Both have promising players in Russell and Lopez, but lack the overall quality or star power of the other sides.
Article Source:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2342703-six-nations-2015-fixtures-tv-info-prediction-preview-and-players-to-watch
http://www.six-nations-guide.co.uk/2015/scotland-v-wales.html
http://www.six-nations-guide.co.uk/2015/england-v-italy.html
http://www.six-nations-guide.co.uk/2015/ireland-v-france.html
The 22-year-old looks set to use the tournament to cement the stand-off position and develop his own game. Scotland have struggled in this position for a number of years, so Russell's emergence will come as a relief to Vern Cotter.
Scotland will continue to struggle in the Six Nations and won't likely make much of an impact this year, but Russell adds a fear factor to their side, one they've lacked in recent times.
Sergio Parisse, Italy
Italy's talismanic No. 8 will need to be at his usual best to help Italy avoid the dubious honour of "winning" their 10th wooden spoon.
Italy have been slowly and steadily improving as a team over recent years, but remain firm underdogs going into the tournament.
Sergio Parisse, capped 108 times for the Azzurri, has consistently been a shining light for his side.
Alastair Grant/Associated Press
Parisse is Italy's biggest threat, and can drive the Azzurri forward with his incisive passing and powerful runs.
His remarkable array of passing and indomitable spirit command attention, despite featuring in an often disappointing team.
Parisse fits well into Jacques Brunel's expansive style, and he will use his powerful ball-carrying and ability to offload to good effect.
Unfortunately, it will be the same old story for the 31-year-old. He'll put in all the effort in the world, but it won't be enough to overcome Italy's lack of quality or depth.
Camille Lopez, France
Camille Lopez is one of the most exciting talents emerging in the France squad.
The fly-half is the fourth-highest points scorer in the Champions Cup this season with 67 and has scored 37 points in four starts for France.
The 25-year-old is as skilful as he is audacious, as you can see below inClermont Auvergne's match against Sale Sharks in October.
Les Bleus' quicker players will benefit from Lopez's service, as he looks to bring others into play and create space for the forwards.
Lopez will be crucial to France's efforts as they look to improve on last year's mediocre fourth-place finish.
He will dictate their play and, if allowed time and space by the opposition, will do this to devastating effect. Whether the other nations wise up to this will play a large part in determining how well France fair in the tournament.
Predictions
England kick off their Six Nations campaign with one of their hardest matches. When the two sides met in Cardiff in 2013, Wales inflicted a 30-3 humbling on their visitors.
England will be eager to avoid a repeat performance, so expect the game to be a much narrower, but extremely hard-fought affair. Ultimately, having to travel to Wales and Ireland will likely take its toll on Stuart Lancaster's men, so another second-place finish is a likely outcome.
Ireland, meanwhile, will undoubtedly win with ease in the StadioOlimpico. It would take a huge upset for anything other than this result, and Ireland's quality will see them through.
Maintaining their form through 2014, the Irish can see off England's challenge and win a successive Six Nations title and can go one further by reaching the Grand Slam.
The winner of France against Scotland could well decide which team finishes higher, as the pair will be unlikely to mount a serious challenge for the title. Both have promising players in Russell and Lopez, but lack the overall quality or star power of the other sides.
Article Source:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2342703-six-nations-2015-fixtures-tv-info-prediction-preview-and-players-to-watch
http://www.six-nations-guide.co.uk/2015/scotland-v-wales.html
http://www.six-nations-guide.co.uk/2015/england-v-italy.html
http://www.six-nations-guide.co.uk/2015/ireland-v-france.html
