England are bullish, France are in flux, while Wales will be hoping just to beat Italy and avoid the wooden spoon
Fixtures: 7 Feb, Wales (h); 14 Feb, Scotland (a); 21 Feb, Ireland (h); 7 Mar, Italy (a); 14 Mar, France (a)
Last year’s finish: 2nd
The sense of optimism is palpable in Steve Borthwick’s camp. On a run of 11 straight victories and with more than enough strength in depth to cope with front-row injuries and the attritional nature of a six-week tournament, England have high hopes of a first title since 2020. Starting at home against a desperate Wales side is an ideal way to kick off and the bullishness is reflected in Borthwick’s call to arms to supporters to flood to Paris on the final weekend. It was out of character but traditionally the best England sides have always walked tall. George Furbank’s return to fitness will add another dimension to the back division as the tournament wears on but this is a settled England side and Borthwick is hoping to reap the rewards. If there is one concern about England it is that a few players - Ben Earl being the most obvious one - are out of form and surely feeling some effects of last summer’s British & Irish Lions tour. Borthwick must be ruthless if there is no upturn in the opening rounds.
