The Six Nations tournament launches in London next week and the majority of the pre-tournament talk are based on England, the French squad and the current cup holders Wales. However, what chance does the other British Isles representatives have?
Ireland are believed to have a fairly reasonable chance to come out victorious at the Six Nations as they are third favourites with only the favourites England and France ahead of them. However, as Wales showed last year, anything can happen at the Six Nations. There preparation took a twist last week when they announced that Jamie Heaslip would retain the captaincy. The announcement means that it would be Heaslips’ first captaincy at the Six Nations at comes very much as a shock as talisman Brian O’Driscoll made a return to fitness and was hugely expected to skipper the National side next month. However, although O’Driscoll has not been selected as captain his recovery will give the Irish squad a huge boost.
Scotland on the other hand aren’t given a chance by the bookmakers. There has been wholesome changes within the squad with Interim head coach Scott Johnson bringing in no fewer than 10 new players. The 35 man squad is made up by 19 Glasgow Warriors players. Johnson will replace Andy Robinson who left after a poor summer which included disappointing defeats against Tonga and South Africa.
The first Six Nations match for Ireland will be against Wales at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on February 2nd at 13:30pm. Scotland will face a tougher game and will travel to Twickenham to face England on February 2nd at 4:00pm.
