www.thepapare.com - Northern Hemisphere gearing up for RBS Six Nations

Northern Hemisphere gearing up for RBS Six Nations

Details: Category: Features; Published on Saturday, 28 January 2012 19:22; Written by Sachin David; Hits: 358

The apex Rugby Nations of Europe are preparing to go hammer and tongs for the ultimate prize in Northern Hemisphere rugby, the RBS Six nation’s trophy. England, France, Ireland, Wales, Scotland and Italy battle it out over six weeks of enthralling rugby to stake claim to the RBS Six Nations Grand Slam title.

The tournament will kick off on the 4th Saturday, February with Italy travelling to France and will conclude on the 17th of March with Ireland facing off against England in Twickernham.

Captains are crucial

The Captains of the six squads will be crucial in the performance of the teams over the period of this tournament. A few of the countries have experimented with their skippers whilst the others have stuck with the tried and tested leaders.

England is to be skippered by third row forward Tom Wood. Unfortunately Wood will not be able to play the first two games of the 6 Nations as the England administration has still not announced a replacement for Wood.

France has decided to stick with their World Cup captain and inside flanker Thierry Dusautoir. Dusautoir led an underestimated French side to the finals of the RWC 2011 and was also named the IRB player of the year 2011.

Scotland coach Andy Robinson had asked Kelly Brown to lead the team but unfortunately with Brown expected to be sidelined for between eight and 10 weeks, Robinson turned to Hooker Ross Ford, who has won 53 caps for Scotland.

Welsh flanker Sam Warburton retains his captaincy for the reds after leading the dragons to a 4th place finish in the Rugby World Cup. Warburton is one of the youngest captains around and has proved his keep.

Italy has decided to stick with their long term captain Sergio Parisse. Parisse has led Italy since 2008 and has been a crucial part of the Italian attack occupying the number 08 berth. The big number 8 has a total of 83 caps for Italy.

Towering Irish lock forward Paul O’Connell has been named as the leader for Ireland. O’Connell has led the Irish on many an occasion previously also having led the British and Irish Lions. His 88 test caps will be a huge boost to the Irish.

Blend of Young and old in all six squads

All six of the coaches have gone with a good blend of young and old players in the squads. The coaches have realized that this transition period and post World cup is crucial in the constructing of teams for the future.

England- England have had issues with regard to discipline in the past and have now got a new look to the out-fit. The Red Rose is going in with a very young side with the conclusion of the Jonny Wilkinson era. With the likes of Steve Thompson, Lewis Moody and Mike Tindall all announcing their retirement the Brits will have to build a team for the future.

The Squad- Mouritz Botha, Calum Clark, Alex Corbisiero, Dan Cole, Tom Croft, Louis Deacon, Phil Dowson, Dylan Hartley, Courtney Lawes, Joe Marler, Lee Mears, Ben Morgan, Tom Palmer, Chris Robshaw, Matt Stevens, Rob Webber, David Wilson, Tom Wood (c), Chris Ashton, Brad Baritt, Mike Brown, Lee Dickson, Owen Farrell, Toby Flood, Ben Foden, Charlie Hodgson, Joe Simpson, Charlie Sharples, David Strettle, Maanu Tuilagi, Jordan Turner-Hall and Ben Youngs.

France- Known as the most unpredictable team in world rugby the French have time and again put in some stunning performances like in the quarter-finals and Finals of the RWC 2011. On the other hand Les Blues have also put up some very mediocre performances like in the early stages of the World Cup.

The Squad- Fabien Barcella, Vincent Debaty, Luc Ducalcon, Nicolas Mas, Jean-Baptiste Poux, William Servat, Dimitri Szarzewski, Yoann Maestri, Romain Millo-Chluski, Pascal Pape, Julien Pierre, Imanol Harinordoquy, Thierry Dusautoir (captain), Fulgence Ouedraogo, Yannick Nyanga, Louis Picamoles, Julien Bonnaire, Morgan Parra, Dimitri Yachvili, Lionel Beauxis, Francois Trinh-Duc, Yann David, Wesley Fofana, Maxime Mermoz, Aurelien Rougerie, Vincent Clerc, Julien Malzieu, Alexis Palisson, Maxime Medard and Clement Poitrenaud

Ireland- Ireland are coming into the 6 nations after a good performance in the World Cup with the highlight being their win against the Australians in the group stages. The Irish have great potential in their squad with a very strong front row and a well balanced back line.

The Squad- Rory Best, Tom Court, Sean Cronin, Leo Cullen, Stephen Ferris, Cian Healy, Jamie Heaslip, Shane Jennings, Sean O'Brien, Donncha O'Callaghan, Paul O'Connell, Mike Ross, Donnacha Ryan, Tommy Bowe, Gordon D'Arcy, Keith Earls, Rob Kearney, Fergus McFadden, Conor Murray, Ronan O'Gara, Eoin Reddan, Jonathan Sexton, Andrew Trimble and Paddy Wallace

Italy- Renown as the dark horses of the six Nations the Italians have often come up with upsets in the tournament. Italy are the only team that has not staked claim to the coveted title and this year will look to put forth a positive challenge for it

The Squad- Tommaso D'Apice, Leonardo Ghiraldini, Martin Castrogiovanni, Lorenzo Cittadini, Alberto de Marchi, Andrea Lo Cicero, Marco Bortolami, Quintin Geldenhuys, Antonion Pavanello, Cornelius van Zyl, Robert Barbieri, Mauro Bergamasco, Paul Derbyshire, Simone Favaro, Sergio Parisse, Alessandro Zanni, Edoardo Gori, Fabio Semenzato, Kristopher Burton, Luciano Orquera, Tommaso Benvenuti, Gonzalo Canale, Luca Morisi, Alberto Sgarbi, Angelo Esposito, Giulio Toniolattiv, Giovambattista Venditti, Andrea Masi and Luke Mclean

Scotland- With the retirement of the highest Scottish point’s scorer Chris Patterson it will be very interesting to see how the Scots combine. Scotland have not put up any great performances in the recent past and were rather insignificant in the World Cup.

The Squad- John Barclay, Kelly Brown, Geoff Cross, David Denton, Alasdair Dickinson, Ross Ford, Richie Gray, Dougie Hall, Jim Hamilton, Rob Harley, Allan Jacobsen, Alastair Kellock, Scott Lawson, Moray Low, Fraser McKenzie, Euan Murray, Ross Rennie, Alasdair Strokosch, Richie Vernon, Joe Ansbro, Mike Blair, Chris Cusiter, Simon Danielli, Nick De Luca, Max Evans, Stuart Hogg, Ruaridh Jackson, Lee Jones, Greig Laidlaw, Rory Lamont, Sean Lamont, Rory Lawson, Graeme Morrison, Dan Parks, Steven Shingler and Duncan Weir

Wales- with a great blend of youth and experience in the line up the Welsh were unlucky not to make the finals of the World Cup after having displayed some clinical rugby in the early stages of the tournament. The Dragons have a complete all round out-fit and Warren Gatlands side is possibly the best side of the six on paper.

The Squad- Craig Mitchell, Adam Jones, Ryan Bevington, Gethin Jenkins, Paul James, Rhys Gill, Rhodri Jones, Matthew Rees, Huw Bennett, Ken Owens, Bradley Davies, Ian Evans, Lou Reed, Ryan Jones, Dan Lydiate, Sam Warburton, Justin Tipuric, Toby Faletau, Andy Powell, Mike Phillips, Lloyd Williams, Rhys Webb, Rhys Priestland, James Hook, Jamie Roberts, Jonathan Davies, Scott Williams, Gavin Henson, Ashley Beck, George North, Leigh Halfpenny, Alex Cuthbert, Harry Robinson, Liam Williams and Lee Byrne

Players to look out for

The tournament will have some the best players in the world on display with the flair of the youth in full swing whilst the senior men will resort to their experience to out-play their opponents. It will be interesting to see how the coaching staff puts together their combinations with many youngsters coming into the sides.

England- In the front row for England have senior player Lee Mears who will be the dominant force for the Red Rose. Mears having been the understudy of Steve Thompson for many years will look to fill the shoes of the unyielding Thompson.

Young Lock forward/ Third-rower Courtney Lawes will also be player to watch out for. His lethality at the breakdowns will be crucial for the English. His tireless efforts will often give England quick turnover ball. Lawes will also be the go to man in the lineout.

The combination of Toby Flood and Maanu Tuilagi will also be critical for England with Flood having to create space out wide with his exceptional skills. Flood will also have to fill in the boots of Wilkinson in the kicking department for England. Tuilagi will be Key for the Brits as his darting pace and powerful hits will draw in the extra defenders to create space out wide.

France- The old faithful front-row combination of Nicholas Mas, Jean Baptise-Poux and William Servat will be the first choice front row for new coach Phillipe Saint Andre.

Number 8 Imanol Harinordoquy skipper Thierry Dusautoir and open side flanker Jullien Bonnaire will also be a vital combo for the les Blues. Their crunching tackles and lethal hits will add some much needed power to the lineup. Dusautoir’s lightning speed at the breakdowns will also be key for the Blues.

Morgan Parra and Dimitri Yachvili will be an essential combination at 9 and 10 having the duties of being the distributors to the lethal centers and outside backs. The likes of Maxime Mermoz, Aurelien Rougerie, Vincent Clerc and fullback Maxime Medard will fill in the back line as the finishers for Les Blues.

Ireland- 54 capped Rory Best will play in the position of Hooker and will be the dominant force of the front row. Best will be critical in the set pieces and is handy with the ball in hand.

Skipper Paul O’Connell will have to lead from the front without center Brian O’Driscoll in the squad. O’Connell is lethal at the break-downs and is no mug with the ball in hand. Assisting the skipper will be Aggressive third- row forward Sean O’Brien. O’Brien can make an impact on the open side in defense and can also be a powerhouse ball carrier.

118 capped veteran Ronan O’Gara will compete with youngster Jonathon Sexton for the number 10 jersey with both players having a reliable boot and great skills with the ball in hand. The youngster Fergus McFadden has shown great skills to fill the shoes of the great Brian O’Driscoll.

Italy- Martin Castro-Giovanni will need to use all the experience of his 82 test caps in leading the charge for the Italians.

Castro-Giovanni will be backed by 6 foot 5 inch Sergio Parisse in the number 8 berth. The skipper of the side will be crucial in both attack and defense. Parisse is known to be a parasite around the ball with numerous turnovers to his name.

31 year old Kristopher Burtons performance will be essential for the Italians with the likes of Andrea Masi and new comer Angelo Esposito.

Scotland- Ross Ford will be leading from the front playing in the Number 2 Jersey. Ford’s accuracy at the line outs will decisive for the Scots. Ford will have the advantage of throwing to the 6.08 and 6.10 lock forwards in 30 year old Alistor Kellock and 22 year old Richie Gray.

Assisting the two of them in the line out and the back of the scrum will be 30 year old Third-rower Kelly Brown who incidentally will play in his 50th test on the 4th Of Feb.

Dan Parks will be vital at number 10 as he will have to control the distribution and make sure the likes of Sean Lamont and Max Evans hit the gaps at top pace.

Wales- With an extremely experienced front row Wales will definitely be strong contenders. The threesome of Gethin Jenkinks, Huw Bennet and Adam Jones gives the Welsh a colossal front three.

With the lethal defense of Sam Warburton and Ryan Jones makes the dragons deadly at the breakdowns, ably backed by the power and pace of their number 8 Toby Faletau.

Mike Phillips will be the first choice number 9 with his lightning quick decision making and accurate box kicks. Warren Gatland will have the tough decision on whether to play Rhys Priestland or James Hook in the number 10 jersey.

Lee Byrne, George North, Jamie Roberts and Leigh Halfpenny will slot in to the centers and outside backs Giving Wales a solid out fit on paper.