The World Cup is over, Heineken Cup quarter-finals decided, and that can only mean one thing; The 6 Nations. Teams have a chance to either build on their momentum from New Zealand, or start afresh and consign those experiences to distant memories.
The opening weekend is almost upon us. The cliche, you can't win a tournament in the opening round but you can certainly lose it, is perfectly applicable here. And with Ireland entertaining their Welsh counterparts in a grudge game at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday next, a pre-tournament favourite looks destined to receive a huge setback. England meanwhile, will travel to Murrayfield in what promises to be a passionate yet drab affair. The Scots themselves are seeking revenge for their World Cup elimination, and will quietly fancy themselves to put one over on the Old Enemy. Both these games could prove decisive in the destination of the title. Only once before has a team lost on the opening weekend and gone on to win the tournament (France in 2006).
Declan Kidney's squad suggests that there will be no major change to the shape of the team that reached the quarter-final in New Zealand. Injuries aside, the pack will remain the same, with the possibility of Donnacha O'Callaghan being replaced by Donnacha Ryan. The age-old half-back debate will rage on throughout the tournament, and most likely not be solved. In the absence of talisman Brian O'Driscoll, the number 13 shirt can filled by numerous players, most likely Keith Earls or Fergus McFadden. This year is the first time ever that 3 Irish provinces have reached the knockout stages of the Heineken Cup. Munster and Ulster were both awesome in their disposal of Northampton and Leicester Tigers respectively. Leinster were their usual selves, powering into the last eight without moving out of second gear. This provincial success is certainly a reason for optimism, but this has not always been automatically converted to international form in the past. This competition is all about momentum, and if they can beat Wales on the opening weekend, they can head for Paris with a spring in their step, and an air of confidence that they can come with a result from the French capital for the first time since 2000.
This is a turbulent time for English rugby. With all the stories that have emerged about the camp after their trip to New Zealand, their timid exit at the hands of the French, and only Saracens in the last eight of the Heineken Cup, it is clear that it is on a low ebb. But with a new year brings a new start, and their build up the 2015 World Cup on home soil starts here and now. They have a strong pack with an exciting young backline. They have the makings of a great team, but it is felt that they have a lot of maturing to do in order to compete at the highest level. First up is a tricky trip to Edinburgh, and they finish by entertaining Ireland in Twickenham, which has been a happy hunting ground for the Irish in recent years. They will be competitive, but it is felt that it will take one or two more years for Stuart Lancaster's charges to fully click and gel.
Wales are difficult to predict. It cannot be denied that they blew a massive chance against France in October, as they caught Les Bleus on an off-day. The retirement of Shane Williams has heralded the end of an era, but the start of what could be a prosperous time for Welsh rugby. They are presented the challenge of playing away in Dublin and London, which could well end their interest in the championship for this year. But nevertheless, if they get four wins or four four losses heading into the final weekend, France's visit to the Millennium Stadium on the 17th March has been marked in their diary all winter. Nothing spectacular is expected of Wales this tournament, and that is when they are at their most dangerous.
France, the great enigma of world rugby. Will they push on from their fiery display against New Zealand in the showpiece of the World Cup? The answer is probably not. Anything will be an improvement on their campaign last year, they will seek to lay down a marker by beating Italy with ease on their home patch, before launching an assault on the championship. It is set up nicely for them too. With both Ireland and England traveling to Stade de France, they will be optimistic of heading into St. Patrick's weekend in pursuit of the Grand Slam, and it would take a brave man to bet against them.
Things have certainly picked up for Scotland this season. They were desperately unlucky not to emerge from their group at the World Cup, narrowly losing to both Argentina and England. Andy Robinson has named an interesting squad, mixing youth with experience. They have made Murrayfield an unpleasant ground to visit for opposing teams over the last few seasons, and both England and France will have to be on their guard to avoid a potential slip-up. Scotland can put their woes from recent years behind them to start afresh, with a realistic aim of two wins, which would definitely be progress, building on the fine form of Edinburgh in the Heineken Cup.
Unfortunately it appears that there is another 'wooden spoon' in store for Italy. The Azzurri start a new era under the guidance of Frenchman Jacques Brunel.They are making progress, highlighted by their famous win over the French last year, but you cannot see them causing such a scalp this time around. Their home game against Scotland is realistically their only chance of picking up a win over the six games.
All in all, there is a mouth-watering feast of top class rugby just a week away. There will be rejoice, restlessness, and reset scrums. But at the end of the day, there is only one 6 Nations; and we'll love every bit of it.