England can pay a compliment to Rugby World Cup final conquerors South Africa in the upcoming 2020 Six Nations Championship.
As the first major tournament featuring top tier rugby union countries at the start of a new cycle, bookmakers have naturally made the Red Rose favourites for the title among Europe’s elite.
That run to the Rugby World Cup final which included scalping the mighty All Blacks of New Zealand on route was a memorable if ultimately frustrating one for England and their Australian head coach, Eddie Jones.
No Northern Hemisphere winter off to recover for the Red Rose. We won’t see South Africa and the other top rugby nations south of the equator in international action again until June.
The 2020 Six Nations gets underway on Saturday, 1 February when Wales – who the Springboks beat in the World Cup semis – hosting Italy. England, meanwhile, are in France on the opening weekend. Ireland entertain World Cup Pool Stage opponents Scotland in an all-Celtic clash.
Both the Welsh and Irish have new head coaches in place after long-serving duo Warren Gatland and Joe Schmidt departed. That makes it tough for the Dragons who are holders of the Six Nations Championship to defend their crown.
Ireland, meanwhile, haven’t just loss their boss but on-field leader with captain and hooker Rory Best calling time on his playing career. With the familiar tale of Wales being hampered by injuries, England would probably be hot rugby union betting favourites to win the tournament anyway.
Joining Andy Farrell and Wayne Pivac as new Six Nations head coaches is Fabien Galthie. He was promoted from within the France national setup as a replacement for Jacques Brunel.
The Irish have done something similar with Farrell. While their major rivals make coaching changes, England are embarking upon a fifth calendar year under Jones but he is concerned over the participation of some of his star players from Saracens.
A club versus country conflict over the Premiership points deduction imposed on Sarries for breaking salary cap rules may have a hand in their Six Nations chances. Red Rose captain Owen Farrell and a number of key players in the forward pack play their club rugby there.
Jones believes some may opt to stay with Saracens and battle Premiership relegation rather than take part in England’s Six Nations campaign. The makeup of his squad announced for the tournament will be very interesting reading.
Even if a compromise between club and country is reached, the Red Rose remain firm odds-on favourites for a first championship in three years. England are also evens for a Triple Crown triumph and 6/4 for the Grand Slam.
Those prices are based upon the greater talent pool open to Jones irrespective of what happens with Sarries. It is a stretch to see all of that club’s players not turning up for international duty.
This may all prove to be a storm in a teacup, but it just does give the likes of defending champs Wales and Ireland hope of starting their new eras off with Six Nations success.