GUINNESS SIX NATIONS 2020 PREVIEW T
he annual Rugby Union competition between England, France, Wales, Scotland, Italy and Ireland begins this February. The tournament was first played in 1883 as the Home Nations Championship between England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales and became the Five Nations with the addition of France in 1910. Italy joined in 2000 to create what we now know as the Six Nations. After a disappointing World Cup for all the teams – despite an appearance in the final for England and semi-final for Wales – all six teams will look to rebuild and move on at this years’ Six Nations. Let’s look at all six teams before the tournament kicks off.
ENGLAND Eddie Jones’ England haven’t got a lot of work to do. The team that reached the World Cup final are still together; however, he will hope for stronger performances than the one in the final at the World Cup when they were outplayed and ultimately beaten by a strong, but uninspiring, South Africa side.
WALES Warren Gatland has left, and Wayne Pivac has come in as head coach. He says he is planning an evolution of Wales’ playing style. Gatland’s Wales were built on a strong defence, something not lost on Pivac who will concentrate on the transition between attack and defence. Will this be a more attack-minded Wales than we’ve seen recently?
The annual Rugby Union competition between England, France, Wales, Scotland, Italy and Ireland begins this February
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PROPERTY NEWS
The 21st Six Nations Championship kicks off on the 1st February with Wales looking to defend their Grand Slam
SCOTLAND Scotland had a disappointing World Cup. Besides two good halves – one against Japan and one against England – this current squad seems to lack in morale. With some of their best coaches being poached by Union squads, there is a lingering doubt that the current coaches will get the best out of the squad. The big question is: will Gregor Townsend be able to motivate his team and get them fired up for the Six Nations?
IRELAND Andy Farrell has come in as head coach after a successful stint as defence coach. The players are trying to get the disappointment of the World Cup off their chests with their respective teams and most them have been performing well. The question now is: will Farrell blood a new generation or stick with the tried and tested players such as Johnny Sexton and Cian Healy?
FRANCE With the new joint head coaches, Raphael Ibanez and Fabien Galthie, France are aiming to muster a challenge for the title this time after last year’s fourth place finish. They produced some moments of brilliance at the World Cup, only to end up holding onto games, so will have to gain confidence to see out important games.
ITALY Conor O’Shea has left over six months early, leaving Franco Smith as interim head coach. Will Smith use the Six Nations to press his case to be given the job full time? Will the cancelled match against New Zealand at the World Cup still be on their minds? With Italy, you never know.
The Six Nations kicks off on the 1st February with matches live on ITV and the BBC.