A host of missing stars has given teams tough decisions in finding balance between building for future and winning now
If this year’s Six Nations follows the recent pattern then it is shaping up to finish with another grand slam. It would be a third in succession and history shows us every championship after a World Cup – with the exception of the Covid-hit tournament in 2020 – has ended in a clean sweep.
That is fascinating because when there is a Six Nations at the start of a World Cup cycle, every team is effectively starting from zero. Last year we had France and Ireland as the two standout teams, both very settled and looking to fine-tune, sustain and maintain in the leadup to the World Cup. Scotland were in a similar position but then there was England and Wales, both teams were trying to play catch-up having recently appointed Steve Borthwick and Warren Gatland respectively. Italy were on the up, too.