#360view: Six Nations - The 6 big questions

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  • Who will triumph in 2017?

    This year’s Six Nations has an air of comforting familiarity about it, with an “arrogant” England side the strongest in the tournament, and by definition the villains of the piece, and the rest of Europe’s finest each possessing attributes to knock Eddie Jones’ smug grin a little out of shape.

    The southern hemisphere may look on with indifference towards a rugby, where set-pieces are sacrosant commodities and laser-like goalkicking a pre-requisite for success, but while it can sometime aesthetically struggle to inspire, it still retains it’s charm and promises to be an open, fluctuating contest.

    Where do England improve?

    This isn’t to say they’re a perfect team, far from it. But within the confines of the Six Nations, are Jones’ team capable of raising their already high levels on 2016?

    Aspects can be refined, from scrummaging to goal-kicking – there is always an extra 5-10 per cent – while there defensive concerns remain. But, based on Jones’ comments in December, the fundamental facet England need to improve on is with the individual.

    “There is not one player who would be automatically be picked in a World XV – that is worldclass,” he claimed.

    It’s a mighty standard but fair comment and Jones will be looking to his most talented: Maro Itoje, George Ford, Jonathan Joseph and Joe Launchbury to deliver man-of-the-match displays across their five matches.

    How significant is Sexton?

    An obvious point but so integral is Johnny Sexton to Ireland, both how he dictates tempo and territory with the ball in hands and keeps the scoreboard ticking over with boot, it’s impossible to ignore.

    The No10 misses today’s match at Murrayfield and will likely be out of next weekend’s trip to Rome. Two ties Ireland should win and Paddy Jackson has an opportunity to prove he can be the heir to the throne after precious gametime since his debut in 2013.

    The Ulster No10 is nowhere near the goalkicker of Sexton, nor carries the same presence when in possession. He is a more varied creator and capable of mazy linebreaks, but once Ireland get to the business end, they surely need Sexton back in the saddle.

    ‘Warren-ball’ or bust?

    With Warren Gatland on Lions watch, Rob Howley takes charge of a talented Welsh team but lacking the reliability of the past.

    But the absence of Gatland can be a cathartic exercise for a team which had become predictable: Leigh Halfpenny and Dan Biggar’s boot upfield; forward pressure; crash runners through the middle; rinse and repeat.

    That can be part of the past if Howley can preach a more flexible approach and maybe go with a few rogue selections like playmaker Sam Davies (where being the main question), flanker Thomas Young or rapid wing Ashton Hewitt.

    Results are paramount in such a short tournament, but it could also turn into in something special.

    How will France play?

    On the one hand, Guy Noves has built Les Bleus around defence-first and a stoic gameplan rarely seen in sides past.

    But on the other he makes claims like: “We are driven by our will to create, to play fast flowing rugby.” That may well be his ultimate aim, but performances in 2016 and the players he has at his disposal imply a safety-first approach.

    French strength lies in forward beasts like Louis Picamoles, Yoann Maestri and Damien Chouly and the relentless work of front row ferrets Guilhem Guirado and the injured Eddy Ben Arous.

    Noves has the talents of Gael Fickou, Noa Nakaitaci and the potential wildcard pick of Baptiste Serin at scrum-half but, for now, it looks like France must play to their best and most reliable attributes.

    How good are Scotland?

    From front to back, this is potentially Scotland’s most talented team since the early 1990s.

    With Glasgow Warriors impressing in Europe, Vern Cotter has unsurprisingly drawn heavily from that pool of players and if the likes of Zander Fagerson, Finn Russell and Alex Dunbar can replicate their club form internationally, Scotland have a very good change of shaking up the expected order.

    Today’s match against Ireland will be an excellent guide.

    Does O’Shea give Italy hope?

    The Azzurri could do with the kind of campaign that kills any debate over their credibility in the competition.

    Wooden spoonists in two of the last three editions, they will target home games against Wales and France to avoid such a fate.

    With Conor O’Shea in charge, the Irishman will be required to extend 60-minute displays, into 80-minute performances. An improved defence is a necessity plus Sergio Parisse must stay fit but there is, for once, some optimism.

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