The RBS Six Nations Championship is launched on Wednesday, with England buoyed by their remarkable victory over New Zealand. World Cup winner and Sportsmail columnist Ben Kay analyses the key issues facing coach Stuart Lancaster.
Leaders: Pascal Pape (France), Chris Robshaw (England), Sam Warburton (Wales), Jamie Heaslip (Ireland), Sergio Parisse (Italy) and Kelly Brown (Scotland) at the Six Nations trophy launch at The Hurlingham Club in London
Ambition: England's captain Chris Robshaw and coach Stuart Lancaster Will England stick with their All Black conquering heroes to face Scotland? England have injury doubts over three players who were part of that win. Prop Alex Corbisiero has a knee injury, full back Alex Goode has shoulder trouble and centre Manu Tuilagi an ankle knock. It looks certain that Corbisiero will at least miss the Scotland game, but Joe Marler is playing really well for Harlequins again, having lost his place in the autumn games due to injury.
He’s always in the thick of things, which the coaches like. Hopefully, Goode will be fit and he should start, despite the claims of Northampton’s Ben Foden, who is back after injury.
In charge: Sergio Parisse (Italy), Jamie Heaslip (Ireland), Kelly Brown (Scotland), Pascal Pape (France) Holders: Wales captain Sam Warburton and coach Rob HowleyBen should be made to fight his way back into the team. It will be a close call, although it was a policy sometimes used by Clive Woodward - leave a big name out to build competition. Goode has an advantage over Foden, he can be used as a second receiver backing up the fly-half.
The other possible switch for Lancaster is to play Foden on the left wing in place of Mike Brown, who did well against the All Blacks. There are worries over Tuilagi, who did not start Leicester’s win over Toulouse on Sunday. If he does not pull through I can see Jonathan Joseph of London Irish at outside centre.
What’s the biggest selection issue facing Lancaster?Fly-half. It’s always fly-half. The biggest thing blocking Owen Farrell’s re-selection is that he has not been Saracens’ regular fly-half since the All Blacks match. That must give Toby Flood a chance of regaining his position. Both are playing well. The other option is to play Flood outside Farrell at inside centre to bring more experience. I would not be surprised if Lancaster took that option.
Doubts: England have injury concerns about Alex Corbisiero (left), Manu Tuilagi (right) and Alex Goode (below)What about hooker? Should Dylan Hartley replace Tom Youngs?
Tom has been an exceptional find and had a good autumn series, but Hartley is the No 1 hooker in the Premiership in terms of his accuracy at the line-out and his leadership qualities. Youngs could well be used as an impact sub. It’s good for England they have two really good hookers. I think the back five in the pack will remain the same as those who took on the All Blacks and produced what Lancaster said was ‘organised violence’ at the breakdown.
Best: Ben Kay thinks Dylan Hartley should be England's first choice at hookerHas the win over the All Blacks put new pressure on England?
Things have changed dramatically because of that win. It’s always easier as the ‘chaser’ rather than leading. Everyone will be out to get England - more than usual!. The match against Scotland is a potential ‘banana skin’ due to Scotland’s habit of producing one big performance every season.
Everything points to an England win, but everything pointed to an All Blacks win last November.This first game against Scotland is huge. Having beaten the All Blacks, England have to become used to winning when they are expected to. It’s a different focus and they have set the pace.
Scotland will thrive on errors and the longer they are in the game, the more they will believe in themselves. England need to go at them from the start. If they do then England should win fairly comfortably at Twickenham.
Favourites: Kay says England should be wary of underdogs Scotland after Lancaster's side were outsiders themselves against New ZealandAfter that it’s Ireland away, France home, Italy home and then Wales away . . .
It’s a tough competition, as always. Ireland and Wales away are difficult games, which makes it hard for England to win a Grand Slam. Both are not on top form. Ireland are regrouping and England should have a big advantage at the scrum again, like last March at Twickenham. France are certainly the in-form team but they have to go to Twickenham.
What could be England’s downfall?
The team’s inexperience and trying to develop the ability to ‘get up’ every week for the Six Nations. That’s why they may look to bring in players like Hartley and Flood. There’s far more pressure in this tournament because of its history and standing.
Every game counts for something and it’s more like playing knock-out rugby. It’s a real challenge and it’s something that England have never quite got right.
Wales have got the Six Nations right - three Grand Slams since 2005. England last won the Slam in 2003!
HOW ENGLAND'S SIX NATIONS RIVALS ARE SHAPING UP - by Rob Wildman Scotland-Saturday Feb 2 (Twickenham, 4pm)
-Head coach: Scott Johnson Captain: Kelly Brown
Andy Robinson has gone after 10 defeats in 15, leaving his flamboyant deputy, Scott Johnson, as temporary head coach. The Australian will be assisted by former England back-rower and Gloucester coach Dean Ryan. Johnson has shaken up the squad by calling up new faces led by New Zealand-born wing Sean Maitland. They have injury doubts over back-row forwards David Denton and Johnnie Beattie.
Ireland-Sunday Feb 10 (Aviva Stadium, 3pm)
-Head coach: Declan Kidney Captain: Jamie Heaslip
New captain Jamie Heaslip leads a team fired up by the potential of an exciting back three in fit-again full back Rob Kearney supported by two flyers in wings Simon Zebo from Munster and Ulster’s Craig Gilroy. If the trusted centre partnership of Brian O’Driscoll and Gordon D’Arcy hits form, Ireland could challenge favourites England and France. Paul O’Connell and Stephen Ferris will be missed in the forwards.
France-Saturday Feb 23 (Twickenham, 5pm)
-Head coach: Philippe Saint-Andre Captain: Pascal Pape
France’s trip to HQ could decide the title. France have strength in depth and are confident after autumn wins over Australia, Argentina and Samoa. Saint-Andre, now also chief selector, has brought back Toulon’s battering ram of a centre in Mathieu Bastareaud who last played a Test in March 2010. Pape retains captaincy ahead of World Cup leader Thierry Dusautoir, back from injury.
Italy-Sunday March 10 (Twickenham, 3pm)
-Head coach: Jacques Brunel Captain: Sergio Parisse
-Hints of a brighter future came in the autumn, when Italy tested Australia and New Zealand. Brunel starts his second Six Nations predicting Italy are on the ‘right road’. No sign of the long-serving Bergamasco brothers. Wing Mirco is injured and flanker Mauro is out. Experienced flanker Paul Derbyshire and centre Gonzalo Canale return. Brunel believes his team have yet to give a complete 80-minute performance.
Wales-Saturday March 16 (Millennium Stadium, 5pm)
-Head coach: Rob Howley Captain: Sam Warburton
-Despite a run of seven defeats, Wales can mount a fierce title defence. A talented back line needs ball and former captain Ryan Jones may have recovered from injury to start at lock against Ireland. Warburton may switch to blind side to enable Justin Tipuric to start at No 7. With Rhys Priestland out, fly-half will be contested by Dan Biggar and James Hook.
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