France, the reigning champions, and Ireland, the top-ranked team globally, are strong contenders, but the tournament is known for unexpected results.
Mike Brown's predicted Six Nations table:
#6. Italy
Brown wrote: "Their final game in Edinburgh could be the wooden spoon decider, but Scotland will have the home advantage,"
Brown's player to watch: Ange Capuozzo
#5. Scotland
Brown wrote: "They can have a world of a game and then be hopeless the following week,"
Brown's player to watch: Ruaridh McConnochie
#4. Wales
Brown wrote: "They've got an ageing squad but I don't necessarily see that as a problem,"
Brown's player to watch: Jac Morgan
#3. England
Brown wrote: "I expect them to come in re-energised and full of enthusiasm, like you always see when sports team has a change at the top."
Brown's player to watch: Cadan Murley
Try Celebrations for Cadan Murley of Harlequins as he goes over for a try during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Exeter Chiefs and Harlequins at Sandy Park on 25th September 2022. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
#2. France
Brown wrote: "They've got such big ball carriers who are hard to stop and X-factor guys who thrive off that gain-line ball,"
Brown's player to watch: Yoram Moefana
#1. Ireland
Brown wrote: "If Johnny Sexton stays fit then they are the team to beat."
Brown's player to watch: Tadhg Beirne
Munster player Tadhg Beirne during the European Champions Cup Match between Wasps and Munster at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry on December 12th - PHOTO: Steve Bond/PPAUK
"I was chuckin' a rugby ball about as soon as I could walk."
From playing alongside his father at Brynamman RFC, to lining up beside Alun Wyn Jones and Justin Tipuric for @WelshRugbyUnion.
🖤 Jac Morgan of @ospreys has been on quite the journey.
#HeinekenChampionsCup