There is nothing quite like the Six Nations. Sure, the Tri-Nations represents the peak of rugby union at the moment but there is a mystique surrounding the Six Nations that is absent from the Southern Hemisphere tournament. Perhaps it is the historical rivalries; England have been playing Scotland for the Calcutta Cup in one form or another since 1879. Fast forward to 2011 and this year’s tournament represents quite possibly the most open tournament since its inception as the Home Nations tournament in 1883.
England find themselves on the cusp of a transformation they have been threatening since the 2003 side went its separate ways and only in the recent autumn internationals have they shown signs of being able to move out of the shadows of that team. But how, in a tournament so delicately poised, are they going to exorcise their demons and win their first tournament since 2003?
The first problem facing Martin Johnson is the sheer number of injuries his squad have had to endure. The England head coach will have to do without four of his pack and will find the power in side significantly reduced because of it. The biggest loss of all is Captain Lewis Moody. “Mad Dog†embodies the captain’s spirit of leading by example and puts himself on the line each and every time he plays. England will hope he is fit in time to play the French; the biggest obstacle on their path to victory. The likes of James Haskell, Joe Worsely and Hendre Fourie all offer excellent cover for the likes of Moody and Tom Croft while the returning Louis Deacon will provide Johnson with a timely boost, even if it is at the expense of the banned Dave Attwood.
And what of Jonny Wilkinson? As ever he can be key to England’s success. That is not to diminish Toby Flood’s contribution to England’s recent revival. The Leicester man has emerged as a fine reader of the game and is now able to dictate games in a manner he was unable to do so before. The quick ball provided by Ben Youngs has of course helped him, but his emergence as a World Class fly half has been one of the more pleasant aspects of England’s recent revival. But Wilkinson still represents the best England have to offer in terms of kicking in the form of those famous adidas boots and experience, and if England can accommodate both then they will win more than they lose.
As much as the scrum has been touted weapon for England, it has actually been shown as a weakness at times. South Africa, in the last of the autumn internationals were able to gain a foot-hold in the game after establish superiority in the scrum, and while he is an excellent runner for a Hooker, doubts remain over Dylan Hartley’s power in the scrum. The loss of so many personnel in the build up to the tournament will weaken the pack significantly, so it is up to the men who are there of February 4th to compensate for this loss and provide good ball for the likes of Chris Aston and the revitalised Mark Cueto to exploit.
There are plenty of reasons for England to be looking forward to this tournament. Other squads, notably Ireland and Wales are also suffering with injury while France came off noticeably worse against Australia in their recent tour of the Northern Hemisphere while England excelled. That England gave such a good performance offers plenty of encouragement ; equally the way South Africa manage to topple them after faltering throughout their own tour should worry England supporters. Come February 4th when the first kick of the Wales v England game is taken, rugbyboots.net may note a sudden upturn in business as the Northern Hemisphere is gripped by the Six Nations. the most open tournament in sometime will commence, and England will have as good a chance as any to record a famous win in a famous old tournament.