Your guide to the health of each side heading into this year's Six Nations - and what our BBC pundits predict will happen.

Your guide to the health of each side heading into this year's Six Nations - and what our BBC pundits predict will happen.

Coaches may need to call on more players and there might be fewer underdog stories as a new Six Nations schedule is launched.

In the professional era, there is a common denominator that suggests France and Ireland might be worth backing for 2026

England are bullish, France are in flux, while Wales will be hoping just to beat Italy and avoid the wooden spoon

Plus: who will referee the Test, the squads named by Fabien Galthié and Andy Farrell and what happened last year

Injury-hit Ireland face the unenviable task of trying to stop returning captain Antoine Dupont and France in Thursday's Six Nations opener in Paris.

England have strength in depth, but France have history on their side, a returning hero, and hosting duties for the potentially decisive finale