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1. France (Grand Slam)
2. England
3. Ireland
4. Scotland
5. Italy
6. Wales (Wooden Spoon)
Not making many headlines declaring France champions as they are the bookies favourite. However, I do think this will be a Grand Slam year for les bleus.
I saw someone tweet this week that “watching Toulouse at club level is how it must’ve felt watching the 96’ Chicago Bulls play” and it really resonated with me. A large core of the French team are simply playing the game at a different level at the moment and a certain No.9 definitely has the capability to leave the game in Michael Jordan status ---- I’m calling the grand slam.
The alternating schedule for the Wales with England and Ireland at home its hard to look past the wooden spoon. I wouldn’t fall off my chair if they snatch a win at Edinburgh or Rome but if i’m putting my money somewhere – it’s a spoon for Gatland's men.
Player of the Tournament
Romain Ntamack
Hard to stand out when you’re playing outside Antoine Dupont. His half back partner might be the plat de jour at the moment but I can see this being the tournament where the second generation French superstar puts the world on notice.
Unfortunate injury robbed us of the Dupontamack Axis during the Rugby World Cup and with Antoine at 7’s last year I have a sinking feeling that Romain Ntamack is going to hit a flow state this tournament and take the player of the year.
Top Try Scorer
James Lowe
Like him or loathe him, James Lowe scores tries. In close games, in whitewashes the Kiwi cum Irishman is a 5 point machine. A brief spell off with inury and looking very much recharged in his return game for Leinster I can see this being another tryfest for James Lowe. Sam Prendergrast will have two firm hands on that 10 jersey and loves an open expansive games so imagine a lot of balls in the wide channels and James Lowe on the end of many of them.
The best 7 weeks in the Northern Hemisphere Rugby Calendar is upon us, never devoid of drama and excitement. Cheers to you all and Happy Six Nations.