Irish best bet in wide open Six Nations
PA's Andrew Baldock
February 1, 2007

Just imagine if you received one pound for every time a rugby union pundit said: ``I think this season's RBS 6 Nations Championship is a wide open tournament.''

Yes, you would probably be on a beach somewhere in the Bahamas counting the cash.

But this season, one of rugby's most well-worn (and tedious) phrases would appear to accurately assess the runners and riders just 48 hours beforekick-off.

Thrills, spills and controversy are guaranteed probably in equal measure, so how do the contenders shape up?

ENGLAND

England's new head coach Brian Ashton has already worked a minor miracle, barely six weeks after replacing Andy Robinson in the red rose hot-seat, by restoring a feelgood factor to a camp devoid of inspiration during the dismal autumn Test series.

Training at Bath University this week - even the media were allowed to watch Wednesday morning's two-hour session, for heaven's sake - has been crisp and sharp, while also resembling an advertisement for Friends Reunited.

Old Wigan rugby league chums Andy Farrell and Jason Robinson are team-mates for the first time in more than six years - but perhaps above all else, Jonny isback.

Inevitably, there will be the cynics who expect one JP Wilkinson to end up in a crumpled heap at some point of Saturday's tournament opener against Scotland, but judging by his ``magnificent'' contribution - Martin Corry's word, not mine - since he rejoined the England squad this week, they should be left disappointed.

Yes, a long-overdue England revival will take time - but don't be put off by the short-term doubters. Ashton's men are already up and running.

Prediction: 2nd.

Star man: Mike Tindall.

IRELAND

Coach Eddie O'Sullivan will need to have a fairly impressive list of excuses at his disposal if Ireland do not heavily feature at the business end in a tournament that has seen them installed as firm favourites.

It would appear everything is in their favour, with home advantage - at Croke Park, rather than Lansdowne Road - against possible closest challengers France and England a fundamental factor behind the quest for a first Six Nations crown.

While Ireland's blue-chip provincial teams Munster and Leinster have lost to English opposition during the final round of Heineken Cup pool games last month, don't believe those results will undermine a fearsome challenge for silverware.

With Jonny Wilkinson yet to re-establish himself at Test level, Ireland possess Europe's finest fly-half in Ronan O'Gara - who leads a back division packed with pace, power and panache.

The line-out and back-row unit also provide world-class threats - and although the scrummage could be viewed as an area of weakness, this surely has to be Ireland's Six Nations year.

Prediction: 1st.

Star man: Ronan O'Gara.

SCOTLAND

No one seriously doubts the positive impact Frank Hadden has made since he was appointed Scotland coach, highlighted by Six Nations victories over France and England last season.

But the prospect of launching their 2007 campaign at Twickenham - a ground where they last won in 1983 - and without comfortably their best player, injured captain Jason White, will prove a daunting one for many Scottish supporters.

While the world and his wife await the outcome of Wilkinson's much-heralded return, Scotland are in a similar position with scrum-half Chris Cusiter - who starts against England despite a serious lack of match practice due to injury.

Expect the Scots to be competitive and resilient, but passion alone is not enough for consistent success at Test match level.

Prediction: 5th.

Star man: James Hamilton.

WALES

Wales coach Gareth Jenkins has made an immediate statement of intent by leaving Gavin Henson out of his match-day 22 for Sunday's opener against Ireland - and quite right, too.

Henson's form is regularly outplayed by the hype surrounding him, and Jenkins should be applauded for standing firm. If you are not good enough you don't make the cut.

Wales, frankly, were a disappointment during the autumn.

Yes, they drew with Australia but then suffered a ritual beating against New Zealand - and defeat this weekend could make it a long, even depressing Six Nations campaign.

The 2005 Six Nations Grand Slam champions showed, though, how Wales are a team who thrive with confidence and momentum - and if they can turn Ireland over, then who knows what lies ahead? The margin, it would appear, is that fine.

Prediction: 3rd.

Star man: Ryan Jones.

FRANCE

France, Six Nations champions three times in the past five years, are setting huge stall on their February 11 Croke Park appointment with Ireland. Coach Bernard Laporte believes victory in Dublin would open the door to title success.

You sense, though, that not even Laporte quite knows what to expect from a squad high on ability yet frustratingly low on delivering consistent world-class performances.

Prediction: 4th.

Star man: Sebastien Chabal.

ITALY

Regular wooden-spoonists, Italy's Six Nations adventure remains highlighted by two victories over Scotland and a 2003 success against Wales in Rome.

Captain Marco Bortolami and coach Pierre Berbizier are eager to transfer encouraging performances into tournament wins, but there can be no disguising the fact Italy remain that step or two behind the rest.

Prediction: 6th.

Star man: Mirco Bergamasco.

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