Six Nations 2007 Team profiles.

[align=center]England

Stadium: Twickenham
Capacity: 82,000

Coach: Brian Ashton

Captain: Phil Vickery

Prospects:

England have finally broken their link with Andy Robinson but is it all too little too late as far as this season’s Six Nations is concerned. Perhaps the fresh approach of a new captain and coach will restore something to England that has been sorely missing since their world cup triumph in Sydney. The one thing in England’s favour is the fixture list with their first 2 fixtures being their easiest although they’ll take Scotland likely at their peril if last year is anything to go by, but still it should be 2 wins before they arrive in Dublin and who knows what state Ireland will be in following their start in Cardiff. It could all come into place for England or go tits up as it has in the last 3 championships.

Form Guide

2006 International Record: P11, W3, L8

England 14-25 South Africa
England 23-21 South Africa
England 18-25 Argentina
England 20-41 New Zealand
Australia 43-18 England
Australia 34-3 England
England 24-28 Ireland
France 31-6 England
Scotland 18-12 England
Italy 16-31 England
England 47-16 Wales

France

Stadium: Stade de France
Capacity: 80,000

Coach: Bernard Laporte

Captain: Fabien Pelous

Prospects:

France enter the 2007 Six Nations Tournament having endured an indifferent year. Following their sluggish start to last seasons tournament in Edinburgh the French turned on the style against Ireland in the opening 40 minutes only to retreat into their shell in the second 40 and never really hit those heights in their remaining games but like all great teams they were still able to win the championship on points difference from Ireland. A successful Summer tour to South Africa was followed up by 2 heavy defeats to the All Conquering All Blacks and again against Argentina les Bleus started superbly only to let the Pumas back into a game where they only won by a point. Like all teams they’ll be looking to build for the world cup with this year’s tournament but with the added pressure that being hosts brings them.

Form Guide

2006 International Record: P10, W7, L3

France 27-26 Argentina
France 11-23 New Zealand
France 3-47 New Zealand
South Africa 26-36 France
Romania 14-62 France
Wales 16-21 France
France 31-6 England
France 37-12 Italy
France 43-31 Ireland
Scotland 20-16 France

Ireland

Stadium: Croke Park
Capacity: 83,200

Coach: Eddie O'Sullivan

Captain: Brian O'Driscoll

Prospects:

Ireland go into the 2007 Six Nations on the back of a very successful Autumn series and that confidence has been buoyed by the form of the provinces in the Heineken Cup. A very different pressure now on Ireland this season as they start the championship as favourites. Plus there is also the realisation of Ireland playing their home games at Croke Park as Lansdowne Road undergoes its redevelopement. Will Ireland lose the edge they get from playing at Lansdowne or will the support rise to a new level when the French arrive on February 11.

Form Guide

2006 International Record: P11, W7, L4

Ireland 61-17 Pacific Islands
Ireland 21-6 Australia
Ireland 32-17 South Africa
Australia 37-15 Ireland
New Zealand 27-17 Ireland
New Zealand 34-23 Ireland
England 24-28 Ireland
Ireland 15-9 Scotland
Ireland 31-5 Wales
France 43-31 Ireland
Ireland 26-16 Italy

Italy

Stadium: Stadio Flaminio
Capacity: 24,000

Coach: Pierre Berbizier

Captain: Marco Bortolami

Prospects:

Italy will come into this season’s tournament in reasonably good confidence following their performances in last year’s competition. A season of firsts for the Italians with them picking up their first point away from home following their draw in Cardiff, which may have even been more, had they not settled for the result with the last penalty. As ever a hugely physical battle awaits teams facing the Italians with their formidable pack but as ever doubts remain as to whether their backs can support them, if the Autumn internationals are anything to go by then there’s still a long way for them to go.

Form Guide

2006 International Record: P11, W7, L4

Italy 41-6 Canada
Italy 16-23 Argentina
Italy 18-25 Australia
Italy 83-0 Portugal
Russia 7-67 Italy
Japan 6-52 Italy
Italy 10-13 Scotland
Wales 18-18 Italy
France 37-12 Italy
Italy 16-31 England
Ireland 26-16 Italy

Scotland

Stadium: Murrayfield
Capacity: 67,500

Coach: Frank Hadden

Captain: Chris Paterson

Prospects:

Scotland go into this seasons tournament on the back of their most successful championship performance since they won the final 5 Nations tournament in 1999. With 3 wins last year including a notable Calcutta Cup victory and a win that ultimately denied the French a grand slam the mood is bound to be good going into 2007. Given what they did last season they’ll be looking for at least a repeat performance and should be looking to win their home games and on their form of last season if they can bring that form on the road then a win against one of the big 2 isn’t out of the question, starting with the opening day Calcutta Cup match at Twickenham.

Form Guide

2006 International Record: P10, W5, L5

Scotland 15-44 Australia
Scotland 34-22 Pacific Islands
Scotland 48-6 Romania
South Africa 29-15 Scotland
South Africa 36-16 Scotland
Italy 10-13 Scotland
Ireland 15-9 Scotland
Scotland 18-12 England
Wales 28-18 Scotland
Scotland 20-16 France

Wales

Stadium: Millennium Stadium
Capacity: 74,400

Coach: Gareth Jenkins

Captain: Stephen Jones

Prospects:

Wales’ prospects for the 2007 Six Nations Tournament are certainly far better than they were this time 12 months ago, with the setup in turmoil following the fiasco over Mike Ruddock’s situation and a hefty injury list the Welsh were never in a position to repeat their efforts of 2005 and were promptly thumped by both England and Ireland. Pride was almost restored though in the final game as they pushed the French all the way to the wire in a pulsating final game. It wasn’t the best of Autumns for the Welsh with a draw against Australia when the win was certainly there for taking a big disappointment while nobody could say they were surprised by the All Blacks match. Given the improved form that the Welsh sides have shown in Europe and the return of some key players expect a much improved season from Gareth Jenkins’ side.

Form Guide

2006 International Record: P11, W3, L6, D2

Wales 10-45 New Zealand
Wales 61-26 Canada
Wales 38-20 Pacific Islands
Wales 29-29 Australia
Argentina 45-27 Wales
Argentina 27-25 Wales
Wales 16-21 France
Wales 18-18 Wales
Ireland 31-5 Wales
Wales 28-18 Scotland
England 47-13 Wales
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I can't wait, I'm itching for the games! We're going to all the home matches at Murrayfield. Wales and Ireland have sold out and there's still tickets left for the Italy match.

Too bad I have to wait til March to see Ireland, I REALLY want to see them live!!

Hehe, things are so confusing about other stuff like me getting accomodation for University, etc, I am going to leave going to 6 Nations matches until next year.

I'll be glued to the telly though