6 Nations Preview Ireland, Scotland & Wales

We've already looked at England and the two continental teams (France & Italy) in the first part of this Preview. Now it's time for the Celtic Nations.

Ireland

Who replaces POC?

Double champions, they're favourites in a lot of people's eyes, despite their catastrophic collapse against Argentina in the World Cup Quarter Finals. However it's not plain sailing for Irish Rugby at the moment, they've lost their long standing talisman in Paul O'Connell, no Irish teams made the knockout stages of the Champions Cup, and Jonathan Sexton is once again struggling with concussion related issues. The injury issues don't stop in their on-field general, they are also missing the tough as stone O'Mahony at flanker, Iain Henderson who is seen as O'Connell's replacement, prolific try scorer Tommy Bowe, and Luke Fitzgerald has been ruled out too. Not to mention three front rowers out of action.

It's not all doom and gloom across the Irish Sea, Joe Schmidt has spent much of his tenure developing considerable squad depth in practically every position - except maybe at half-back. So they are more than capable of plugging these holes with quality, it's just the number of first choice options missing that could scupper their chances this year. Most importantly Schimdt needs to find a centre partnership that could provide some midfield threat, Ireland have become the biggest exponents of choking the life out of a game over recent years, rather than being known for scoring tries they prefer to deny the game many points. In the end it's what let them down during the World Cup. This system can be seen forthright in Schmidt's selection at centre with Henshaw and Payne, two players who before putting on the green shirt were more accustomed to the fullback position. Typifying the kicking game so perfectly executed by Schmidt & Sexton. With many teams talking about taking a lead out of the Southern Hemisphere book, it might be time for Ireland to try youth and exuberance instead, Henshaw can stay he's shown his qualities as a tough strong centre in the mould of Jamie Roberts, I would like to see the introduction of Ulsterman Stuart McCloskey who has been terrorising defences in the PRO12 this year. Big and powerful, with a deft boot and soft hands incredibly capable of pulling out the offloads which can unpick defences.

Stuart McCloskey is going to be a future star for Ireland, will he feature this year?

Other than the Ireland team picks itself, the bullocking Sean O'Brien and the professional Heaslip slot into the backrow, Toner adds height to the lineout and captain Rory Best lead's the pack from the front. Murray and Sexton continue their world class partnership, the wing berths have half a dozen players wanting to fill them, and Rob Kearney will look to rule the skies with his excellent catching ability.

Starting against Wales in Dublin promises to be a tasty encounter to round out the first weekend. It's been a ding-dong battle between Wales and Ireland over the last decade or so, neither team able to consistently beat the other. Ireland will hope home advantage will count for plenty - even if Wales won the last time in Dublin - and kick off their title defence with a win. If not it could be a long year with both France and England away after Wales, which will be very tricky places to restart the title defence at.

Star Player: Jonathan Sexton

Player to Watch: Stuart McCloskey

Scotland

What a World Cup Scotland had: they beat giant killers Japan in a second half rout, succumbed to the physicality of South Africa, and then almost flunked out the tournament against Samoa. All before having the game of their careers against eventual runners up Australia, yes they should have won, but that's in the past and Scotland have to move on from that heart-ache. Wales have shown what can happen after a team have a wonderfully successful World Cup campaign (see 2011), and use the heartache in the following 6 Nations, Scotland should follow suit.

Bennet back form injury just in time

There is plenty of hope for Scotland in this tournament, they're not struggling with a lot of injuries, only really at centre, but Mark Bennett has made a timely return to ease concerns and Duncan Taylor is having a great time playing for table topping Saracens in the Aviva Premiership. In the PRO12 both Scottish teams are having considerable success, Edinburgh currently sit in the play-off positions, and Glasgow have been playing strong rugby despite sitting in 8th (although they do have two games to play). They possess talent across the board, WP Nel became a fan favourite for his scrummaging ability in the World Cup, Finn Russell is becoming an assured fly-half who makes few mistakes, John Hardie provides them with serious breakdown firepower, and the Gray brothers are a fantastic partnership in the engine room. Stuart Hogg is their biggest attacking threat, always looking to run the ball back and incredibly good at scything through would-be tacklers with regularity. And that's before you mention his siege cannon of a boot, which provides a safe exit route from their 22, and can knock over 50+ meter penalties should it be needed.

Perhaps most important to the Scotland cause if scrum-half and captain Greig Laidlaw. He had his doubters going into the World Cup, that perhaps he should be replaced by the young and impressive Hidalgo-Clyne. He proved all of them wrong, leading Scotland through difficult matches, perfectly running the game, and kicking with a 90% kicking accuracy which constantly kept the scoreboard ticking over. He was arguably the best scrum half at the World Cup, and he needs to take this form into the 6 Nations if Scotland want to succeed.

Laidlaw is the heartbeat of Scotland, his goal kicking will prove crucial too

If Scotland are going to have any problems it is likely to arise from attrition more than anything, while the first choice players provide plenty of talent, the back ups are not of the same calibre. If Scotland suffer any injuries to key players (see Laidlaw, Hogg, Russell or Nel) they could begin to falter. The opening weekend provides the perfect chance to start strong, the Calcutta Cup is the best way to get the Scottish players excited for the first match and give it their all. After that is two away games in Cardiff and Rome, tricky but not impossible, win at Murrayfield and momentum will start to build.

Star Player: Greig Laidlaw

Player to Watch: Sam Hidalgo-Clyne

Wales

Settled, confident and pundit's favourite. Wales know what they're doing in the 6 Nations, the most successful team in the last decade they know what it takes to win this championship. They are practically back to full strength, with the exception of missing Leigh Halfpenny and Rhys Webb from the starting team. And thanks to the most horrific run of injuries during the World Cup have built up significant strength in depth. Perhaps most importantly they have Test Lion Jonathan Davies back and playing excellent rugby for his club - Clermont. He has been a linchpin in the Welsh set up for years, and his partnership with Jamie Roberts is important, especially in defence, the style which Wales defends involves the outside centre rushing hard, and reading the opposition attack, allowing Wales to shut them down deep behind the gainline if possible. 

Jonathan Davies' timely return could help Wales reclaim their title

Warren Gatland has been attacked quite extensively in the last few weeks for Wales' attacking system, and that it lacks creativity and the ability to score tries. This may be true, as such Gatland and Howley (Wales attacking coach) have promised a new arrow to the Welsh attacking quiver alongside infamous "Warrenball". With Liam Williams back from injury and looking lethal, Hallam Amos provides much needed finishing ability and footballing ability out wide too, and Jonathan Davies has shown again and again what he brings in attack. At fly-half Dan Biggar became a super-star during the World Cup and will be looking to continue his form and be the "Governor" of Gatland's side, at scrum half there is a fight between all three players, Gareth Davies is the man in possession but there are questions over his game management and the fact that rival Aled Davies has kept him on the bench at the Scarlets this season. Then there is Lloyd Williams who I've always seen as the best tactical scrum-half in Wales and could play an important role through the tournament.

In the pack Sam Warburton lacks game time, but has always proven his ability at Test Level and should not be taken lightly because of it. Once again the debate rages whether to select Tipuric or Lydiate alongside the captain. Each provide widely different qualities and it could become a horses for courses selection along the road and it could provide a challenge for Wales' opponents not entirely sure what type of game Wales will bring to the game. Samson Lee wasn't at his best in the World Cup but with a couple of months of game-time under his belt he looks ready to become the replacement to Adam Jones he was touted to be. In the locks they have the world class Alun Wyn Jones, who

Fan favourite Tipuric is set to start against Ireland

literally never takes a backwards step, alongside either enforcer Bradley Davies or the giraffe like Charteris. Wales are well covered in all positions in the scrum and will not be concerned about injuries to the point that other teams might be. 

If Wales' campaign is going to fall down anywhere, it will be in the first week. With some crucial players still coming back from lengthy lay offs they could struggle in Dublin against and Irish team who will be looking to win three championships in a row. Ireland are huge exponents of the kicking game and the Welsh back-three will need to be fit and raring to go ready to dog-fight across the skies for most of the game. It could be an issue. After that it's two home games on the bounce against Scotland and France, two games the players should be confident of winning especially in the (newly named) Principality Stadium.

Star Player: Alun Wyn Jones

Player to Watch: Hallam Amos