The Six Nations gets underway in Paris in just under a week’s time with France hosting Wales under the lights at the Stade de France.
Spectators are guaranteed thrills and spills over five rounds of nail-biting action as many of the greatest heavyweights in the sport lock horns again.
Ireland have been made the favourites by the bookmakers with France hot on their coat tails. England, meanwhile, have been tipped to finish third.
But who better to ask for their predictions than a former player who has years of experience at the very top of the game, including at the Six Nations?
Here, DAN BIGGAR reveals how he believes the tournament will play out…
The Six Nations is set to get underway and Ireland are the favourites for many punters
England could be challengers if they win one of their early games against Ireland or France
ITALY
The thing that impresses me most about Italy is their centre partnership of Juan Ignacio Brex and Tommaso Menoncello.
As a midfield combination they are probably the best in the Six Nations. Italy had a really good campaign last year but they struggled again in the autumn.
Their game in Rome feels like a shootout for the wooden spoon and I’m tipping Wales to have the edge on them.
Key man: Menoncello. He’s the reigning player of the tournament and he’s their most important player since Sergio Parisse.
Breakthrough star: It sounds like they won’t be blooding many new players so I’m backing Ange Capuozzo to go up a level.
Prediction: 6th
Tommaso Menoncello is Italy’s key man and their most important player since Sergio Parisse
WALES
It’s a really bleak picture for Welsh rugby and I hope that can change with a win or two in the Six Nations. Warren Gatland is under heaps of pressure and I can’t see how he survives unless they end the run of defeats.
I think the game plan needs a bit of a shake-up. Wales don’t have the size and power to compete physically with the best teams in the Six Nations, so I’d like to see them move the ball a bit more and go less direct.
Key man: Tomos Williams. There’s a lot of inexperience at No 10 so they’ll really lean on him. He’s playing with real tempo and zip at Gloucester.
Breakthrough star: Eddie James. Wales have been struggling to win the gain-line and he can operate a bit like Jamie Roberts.
Prediction: 5th
A bleak picture for Welsh rugby could be changed with a win or two in the Six Nations
SCOTLAND
Losing Sione Tuipulotu was the worst possible preparation for Scotland.
He was a shoo-in for the Lions midfield and has been their standout player over the last 12 months. They’ve had England’s number for a while now but I think they’ll struggle without Tuipulotu.
There’s been a bit of hope around them for a while now but if things don’t go well there will be some pressure on Gregor Townsend.
Key man: Zander Fagerson. There’s a lack of scrummaging depth behind him and they really need him to last 70 minutes a match.
Breakthrough star: Fergus Burke. He’s done the basics really well for Saracens and he offers a really nice alternative to Finn Russell from the bench.
Prediction: 4th
Scotland have a lack of scrummaging depth and need Zander Fagerson to last 70 minutes
ENGLAND
There’s a fair bit of pressure on Steve Borthwick but I think he’s got so much talent at his disposal that England will do OK.
Because they’ve got so much depth, there isn’t one player who is really indispensable to them and that’s a strong position to be in.
I think Marcus Smith will start at No 10 but he really needs to start turning performances into victories. If they can win one of their opening games against Ireland or France they will be challengers, but I don’t think they will.
Key man: Maro Itoje. He’s captain now and he really sets the standards with his play.
Breakthrough star: Asher Opoku-Fordjour. I played him at the weekend and he was excellent. He can help the team move on from Dan Cole and Joe Marler.
Prediction: 3rd
Marcus Smith could start at No 10 for England but must turn displays into victories
FRANCE
They are a joy to watch. They have the best defence coach in the world by a country mile in Shaun Edwards and their attack comes alive in transition play.
You don’t need to understand the intricacies of the game to appreciate guys like Damian Penaud, Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Antoine Dupont in full flight.
Their squad is oozing with talent but they don’t have the easiest run of away games and that’s why I think they’ll be pipped.
Key man: Antoine Dupont. Without a shadow of a doubt. Look how much they missed him when he was at the Olympics.
Breakthrough star: Josh Brennan. He’s been a revelation for Toulouse and he’ll get a look in with some injuries at lock.
Prediction: 2nd
France are a joy to watch and Antoine Dupont will undoubtedly be their key player again
IRELAND
Not having Andy Farrell around because of his Lions coaching commitments could have an impact, but they’ve got so much experience so I think it will be relatively smooth sailing.
They look so strong on paper, with guys who have been there and done it. Everyone knows the game plan down to a tee and it’s hard to stop.
For years, it’s always been about Johnny Sexton but now they’ve got a red-hot battle for the No 10 jersey between Jack Crowley and Sam Prendergast.
Key man: Tadhg Furlong. There’s a bit of a drop off if they lose him because he’s such a rock at the scrum.
Breakthrough star: Prendergast. As a fly-half he looks exciting, always attacking the line and playing killer passes.
Prediction: 1st
