Five Bold Predictions For The 2023 Six Nations

With fresh faces and returning names to this year's coaching cast, there are heightened expectations for a good showing in this year's Six Nations, as the 2023 Rugby World Cup appears on the horizon.

Here are five bold predictions for the 2023 Guinness Six Nations.

It is incredibly close at the top of the predicted tree for this year's Six Nations Championships. The formidable French will be riding a wave of momentum, after their flawless Grand Slam success of 2022. Les Blues are considered by many to be the front-runners once again, as Fabien Galthie's men continue to build their strength, culminating in an expected World Cup 'Triomphe' on home soil.

If the star attractions in Dupont, Jalibert, Ntamack and co, can avoid any unexpected injuries, and play with the same 'jouer' flair which brought them the title last year, then stopping them will be a tall order. However, Ireland's recent Autumn series success over the All Blacks, saw them overtake France at the top of the World Rugby rankings. Andy Farrell has built a unit together which in any other year, would be expected favourites to take the Six Nations title, if the French weren't playing such standard-bearing rugby.

The latest summer tour of Japan saw France return as expected victors, but continued to impress throughout the Autumn. A memorable Marseille victory over the titans of South Africa established expectations that France are the best International rugby side today. The opening match of Round 2 sees this potential title decider happen in the early stages of the competition. February 11th is the date to remember, in what may be the closest contest of the competition.

When Italy's Ange Capuozzo set off along the right wing in the 78th minute, the sand timer was started for Wayne Pivac. Capuozzo's breath-taking run before finding Edoardo Padovani, to win Italy's first Six Nations match since 2015, is an undoubted highlight of last year's competition, but is one that Wales want to erase entirely from history.

Following an Autumn of losses that included a 12-13 defeat to Six Nations applicants Georgia, Pivac was removed from his post. Warren Gatland was confirmed to the vacancy, in hopes that he will bring back the glory days to Welsh rugby. Gatland is a proven winner with Wales, having orchestrated four Six Nations titles, three of which were Grand Slams.

This is not necessarily stating that Wales will go all the way, but they will almost certainly strive to perform better than the fifth placed finish they managed last year. Gatland's familiarity with the current Welsh players is a certain bonus. Just two summers ago he was re-united with the likes of Alun Wyn Jones, Liam Williams and Dan Biggar on the closed-door Lions Tour of South Africa.

This Lions Tour also introduced Gatland to Wales' recent break-out talent, Louis Rees-Zammit. Expected to return from injury for the clash with England, Gatland already knows how to manage the young star that is 'Rees-Lightning', and can bring the best out of him once again.

This will also be an opportune time for Gatland to trial some more of Wales' young stars, to look towards a future generation, with his current favourites all coming to the twilight of their careers.

It was confirmed by the newly appointed Head Coach, that Dan Cole has made a return to the England conditioning camp. Cole has not been a part of an England set up since the 2019 Rugby World Cup Final loss against the Springboks, but the 35-year-old could be back in the mix for a comeback after Borthwick's appointment.

Cole was a pivotal leader in the Leicester Tigers squad who won the 2021/22 Gallagher Premiership, in what was Borthwick's crowing moment at the club. Tigers had a dominant scrum set-up throughout the season, pillared by the partnership of England teammates Dan Cole and Ellis Genge, prior to the 'Baby Rhino's' departure to Bristol.

It is unclear what Cole's involvement is in the camp, and whether he will make an on-field return. However, his experience will no-doubt be valuable tutelage to the fresh-faced front rowers, and tighten up an area of England's game that has come under recent scrutiny. England fans would hope to have a toughened up set-piece at scrum time under their new Head Coach.

Borthwick knows how to build a solid forward foundation at international level. His knowledge helped orchestrate the famous 2015 Japan victory over South Africa, coincidentally however, as the assistant coach to one Eddie Jones.

4. JVP Shines under Borthwick.

Sticking with the newly appointed Borthwick, young scrum half Jack Van Poortvliet could certainly prosper for England this coming Six Nations. The Leicester connection with his coach could put the 21-year-old in good stead for selection, and he will gain valuable experience alongside Tigers teammate, and all-time leading England capped player Ben Youngs.

Like a bolt of electricity striking across the pitch, Van Poortvliet quickly gained the approval of England supporters. Marking his debut with a try, in the 2022 Summer Series against Australia, JVP has made an excellent early impression.

Van Poortvliet could be the natural heir to Young's number nine England jersey, with the succession taking place following the World Cup. Youngs will expectedly be included in the squad to go to France, as his experience will be useful for England's youthful stars at their first major tournaments. In what could be a 'passing of the torch' at the World Cup, this Six Nations can act as the essential preparation stage for Van Poortvliet.

England fans are hopeful that Borthwick will give opportunities to those players who his predecessor Eddie Jones refused to, or simply overlooked at the time. Yet with Borthwick's knowledge of Van Poortvliet's capabilities, the Leicester Tigers academy graduate has the perfect environment to grow.

5. Italy and Scotland out to upset the favourites.

Italy finally broke their Six Nations curse, after upsetting Wales in Cardiff last year. The 'Azzurri' have continued to build an exciting team of talented young players, spearheaded by their technician Paolo Garbisi. The Montpellier fly half has elevated his nation to believe in themselves once again, and instill the fight to finally pass on the dreaded wooden spoon.

The incredible Autumn series win over Australia cements this new-found Italian identity, and the arguments for their removal from the Six Nations are growing ever quieter. Over the past three years, Italy have been strengthening their squad through residency and ancestry eligibility. Australian-born Monty Ioane, and Gloucester's Welsh-born Stephen Varney have bolstered the ranks in the backs, with New Zealand-born Toa Halafihi adding a powerful presence at number eight.

Italy have proven that on their day, they could provide the upset of the competition. The neutral fans will hope to see them climb from the table's bottom rung when the 2023 Six Nations is wrapped up. Scotland find themselves in an interesting position heading into the competition. Their opening match is against England at Twickenham, and they could not be more excited.

The Calcutta Cup is a fixture which in recent years, England fans have watched from behind the sofa, and they will leave everything on the pitch to once again get the better of their old enemy.

With Finn Russell pledging himself to Bath next season, the teams charismatic fly half will be eager to prove that he is worth every penny, of his reported record breaking wages at the Rec. Stuart Hogg's involvement is uncertain after he missed out on Exeter's recent trip to South Africa, which if serious will leave a big opportunity in the back field.

After Worcester Warrior's dissolvement, Duhan van der Merwe is settling into life north of the border at Edinburgh, and will enjoy the opportunity to represent Scotland, who are the dark horse of this years competition.