It used to be like flipping a coin to try to predict a Six Nations champion. Nonetheless, Ireland is aiming to become the first men’s team to win three straight Six Nations championships after dominating the previous two years.
Will that streak be derailed, however, by the resignation of Ireland’s head coach Andy Farrell to coach the British and Irish Lions? Does France become the favorite now that Antoine Dupont is back? Can England make a comeback after suffering close defeats in November? Or will it be Scotland’s first Six Nations championship? Wales’ top priority will be to snap a 12-game losing skid, but can the campaign be successful? Will upsets from Italy continue?
The return of key fly-half Romain Ntamack and captain Dupont, who skipped last year’s event to concentrate on winning Olympic sevens gold, is a huge boost for France as they spearhead their team’s title challenge.
“Philippa Tuttiett, a former Wales player, thinks France is the favorite now that the 2022 Grand Slam-winning half-backs are back. “Out of 19 Six Nations games Dupont and Ntamack have started together, the pair have won 16 matches,” she stated.”
“That stat alone puts France as leading contenders for me.” Following a mixed Autumn Nations Series season in which New Zealand defeated Ireland, Simon Easterby takes over for Farrell.
“We don’t know how much of an impact losing Farrell will have. There will be challenging selection issues, something Ireland hasn’t seen in a long time, despite Simon Easterby’s long tenure and skill.”
“I believe France will win the Six Nations, even though Ireland is aiming for a third straight victory. Dupont shown that he is not only the team’s talisman but also its unifying factor.”
“They have important away games against England and Ireland. Are they going to win the Grand Slam? That might be a bridge too far, in my opinion.