With the 2022 Six Nations championship set to get under way on Saturday, here’s a splash preview of what to expect when England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales clash for the European crown.

England
Head coach: Eddie Jones
Captain: TBC – Owen Farrell has been ruled out of the tournament due to a shoulder injury.
2021 finish: 5th

Key players: Given Farrell’s absence, there will be plenty of pressure on both young Marcus Smith and centre Henry Slade to run the backline. There is plenty of experience in the pack, though, where England will depend on both Maro Itoje and Tom Curry to have strong campaigns.

2022 prospects: After a good November, which included a win over the world champion Springboks, you would expect England to grow and improve. However, both France and Ireland are comparatively far more experienced and the loss of Farrell is a blow to a young backline. The opening match against Scotland will be key for England. Lose and it could be another tough campaign, but win and it sets them up nicely to challenge for a top-three finish.

Ireland
Head coach: Andy Farrell
Captain: Jonathan Sexton
2021 finish: 3rd

Key players: Ireland captain Sexton will continue pulling the strings and remains a deadly player on attack despite his age. Utility forward Tadhg Beirne earned a deserved call-up to the British & Irish Lions squad last year and is a powerful ball-carrier and a key player at the breakdown. Tadhg Furlong is one of the best tighthead props in the game.

2022 prospects: Ireland have a squad that can challenge France for the title. However, the big question will be whether Andy Farrell’s team can travel to Paris and topple the French at the Stade de France. A silver medal looks more likely.

Wales
Head coach: Wayne Pivac
Captain: Dan Biggar
2021 finish: Champions

Key players: With Alun Wyn Jones out of action, there will be plenty of responsibility on Biggar‘s shoulders, not only as a playmaker, but also as a leader. He will call on the experience of centre Jonathan Davies as the 33-year-old has been there and done that. Wyn Jones, the 29-year-old loosehead prop, had a solid 2021 and will once again threaten opposing scrums.

2022 prospects: While Wales go into the tournament as defending champions, both France and Ireland have developed significantly since last year, and England have a youthful squad that won’t be playing with fear. Having three games in Cardiff will help Pivac’s team, but it’s unlikely this will be enough for them to avoid being overhauled by their rivals and finish in the lower half of the table.

Scotland
Head coach: Gregor Townsend
Captain: Stuart Hogg
2021 finish: 4th

Key players: Scotland will have a host of British & Irish Lions in their squad, including Hogg, playmaker Finn Russell, scrumhalf Ali Price, centre Chris Harris, flank Hamish Watson and props Rory Sutherland and Zander Fagerson.

2022 prospects: Scotland’s matches against England and France will go a long way in deciding their fate this year. If they can clinch victories in both, they could be in with a shout for the title. However, they will have to travel well, with three games away from Murrayfield, to escape finishing fourth once again.

France
Head coach: Fabian Galthie
Captain: Antoine Dupont
2021 finish: 2nd

Key players: Along with exciting attacking players such as Dupont, Romain Ntamack, Melvyn Jaminet and Damian Penaud, France have solid players who put in the hard yards like lock Paul Willemse, loose forwards Cameron Woki, Gregor Aldritt and Anthony Jellonch, as well as centre Gael Fickou.

2022 prospects: France go into the tournament as title favourites. They gained plenty of confidence from their Australian tour last year and, of course, the historic win over the All Blacks. They have also been handed a favourable draw, starting with two games at home, before playing twice away and then finishing at home.

Italy
Head coach: Kieran Crowley
Captain: Michele Lamaro
2021 finish: 6th

Key players: While Italy will always have exciting backs like flyhalf Paolo Garbisi, their pack has yet to prove they can lay the platform required to keep them moving forwards. In this regard, the back-row trio of Sebastian Negri, Braam Steyn and Michele Lamaro has to produce a consistently high standard of play this season. Zebre Parma props Danilo Fischetti and Giosue Zilocch will also have to hold their own at the scrums.

2022 prospects: Italy will keep evolving and progressing, but it is unlikely that they will finish any higher than sixth. Given the high standard of the other five nations, they will be fortunate to come away with a win this tournament.

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