Rugby 6 nations to dazzle the world

Dilanka MANNAKKARA

It is the next colossal global event in Rugby, the European battle for glory in the northern hemisphere. It is the Rugby six nations. England, France, Ireland, Wales, Scotland and Italy will battle it out over six weeks of enthralling rugby to stake claim to the RBS Six Nations Grand Slam title.

Englands Captain Chris Robshaw (R) tackles Scotlands Nick De Luca (L) during the Six Nations International rugby union match between Scotland and England. AFP

The tournament kicked off on last Saturday, February with Italy traveling to France and will conclude on the 17th of March with Ireland facing off against England in Twickernham and you will be witnessing some grueling matches filled with intensity,passion,immense skill and epic rivalry.

Lets take a look at the squads of the six teams this week. An interesting fact is that after the World cup,teams have gone about with changes to their sides,young blood infused after the retirement of old warriors.

England

The battered and bruised English side who had a mediocre World cup will try to regain their lost glory in this edition of the six nations.

With the likes of Steve Thompson, Lewis Moody and Mike Tindall and superstar Johnny Wilkinson all announcing their retirement the Brits will have to build a team for the future. England will be skippered by Tom Wood.

The Squad- Mouritz Botha, Calum Clark, Alex Corbisiero, Dan Cole, Tom Croft, Louis Deacon, Phil Dowson, Dylan Hartley, Courtney Lawes, Joe Marler, Lee Mears, Ben Morgan, Tom Palmer, Chris Robshaw, Matt Stevens, Rob Webber, David Wilson, Tom Wood (c), Chris Ashton, Brad Baritt, Mike Brown, Lee Dickson, Owen Farrell, Toby Flood, Ben Foden, Charlie Hodgson, Joe Simpson, Charlie Sharples, David Strettle, Maanu Tuilagi, Jordan Turner-Hall and Ben Youngs.

France

The World cup runners up side surprised the rugby world by producing some stunning performances to enter in to the finals and almost pulling it off against the common man’s favorite the “All Blacks”.

France has decided to stick with their World Cup captain and inside flanker Thierry Dusautoir. Dusautoir who had a magnificent World cup both as Captain and as a Flanker led an underestimated French side to the grand finals of the RWC 2011 and was also named the IRB player of the year 2011.

The Squad- Fabien Barcella, Vincent Debaty, Luc Ducalcon, Nicolas Mas, Jean-Baptiste Poux, William Servat, Dimitri Szarzewski, Yoann Maestri, Romain Millo-Chluski, Pascal Pape, Julien Pierre, Imanol Harinordoquy, Thierry Dusautoir (captain), Fulgence Ouedraogo, Yannick Nyanga, Louis Picamoles, Julien Bonnaire, Morgan Parra, Dimitri Yachvili, Lionel Beauxis, Francois Trinh-Duc, Yann David, Wesley Fofana, Maxime Mermoz, Aurelien Rougerie, Vincent Clerc, Julien Malzieu, Alexis Palisson, Maxime Medard and Clement Poitrenaud

Ireland

The Irish side are in great form after a heartening World cup performance and stole the limelight after beating a strong Wallabies side in the group stages,a win which will echo in the Irish hearts forever.

Towering Irish lock forward Paul O’Connell has been named as the leader for Ireland. O’Connell has led the Irish on many an occasion previously also having led the British and Irish Lions. His 88 test caps will be a huge boost to the Irish.

The Squad- Rory Best, Tom Court, Sean Cronin, Leo Cullen, Stephen Ferris, Cian Healy, Jamie Heaslip, Shane Jennings, Sean O'Brien, Donncha O'Callaghan, Paul O'Connell, Mike Ross, Donnacha Ryan, Tommy Bowe, Gordon D'Arcy, Keith Earls, Rob Kearney, Fergus McFadden, Conor Murray, Ronan O'Gara, Eoin Reddan, Jonathan Sexton, Andrew Trimble and Paddy Wallace

Italy

The minnows of the tournament,Italy will look forward to create some upsets. Italy has decided to stick with their long term captain Sergio Parisse.

Parisse has led Italy since 2008 and has been a crucial part of the Italian attack occupying the number 08 berth. The big number 8 has a total of 83 caps for Italy.

The Squad- Tommaso D'Apice, Leonardo Ghiraldini, Martin Castrogiovanni, Lorenzo Cittadini, Alberto de Marchi, Andrea Lo Cicero, Marco Bortolami, Quintin Geldenhuys, Antonion Pavanello, Cornelius van Zyl, Robert Barbieri, Mauro Bergamasco, Paul Derbyshire, Simone Favaro, Sergio Parisse, Alessandro Zanni, Edoardo Gori, Fabio Semenzato, Kristopher Burton, Luciano Orquera, Tommaso Benvenuti, Gonzalo Canale, Luca Morisi, Alberto Sgarbi, Angelo Esposito, Giulio Toniolattiv, Giovambattista Venditti, Andrea Masi and Luke Mclean

Scotland

The Scots are a bit high than Italy and with a disappointing World cup,they will go on with all guns blazing to reclaim some lost pride.Scotland coach Andy Robinson had asked Kelly Brown to lead the team but unfortunately with Brown expected to be sidelined for between eight and 10 weeks, Robinson turned to Hooker Ross Ford, who has won 53 caps for Scotland.

The Squad- John Barclay, Kelly Brown, Geoff Cross, David Denton, Alasdair Dickinson, Ross Ford, Richie Gray, Dougie Hall, Jim Hamilton, Rob Harley, Allan Jacobsen, Alastair Kellock, Scott Lawson, Moray Low, Fraser McKenzie, Euan Murray, Ross Rennie, Alasdair Strokosch, Richie Vernon, Joe Ansbro, Mike Blair, Chris Cusiter, Simon Danielli, Nick De Luca, Max Evans, Stuart Hogg, Ruaridh Jackson, Lee Jones, Greig Laidlaw, Rory Lamont, Sean Lamont, Rory Lawson, Graeme Morrison, Dan Parks, Steven Shingler and Duncan Weir

Wales

The “side” of the World Cup 2011 was undoubtedly the courageous Welsh side.They were unfortunate not to make it to the World cup finals after playing with 14 men sans their Captain for almost 60 minutes of the game. They have a side who is aggressive, skillfull and will attack from the word go.

Welsh flanker Sam Warburton retains his captaincy for the reds after leading the dragons to a 4th place finish in the Rugby World Cup.

The Squad- Craig Mitchell, Adam Jones, Ryan Bevington, Gethin Jenkins, Paul James, Rhys Gill, Rhodri Jones, Matthew Rees, Huw Bennett, Ken Owens, Bradley Davies, Ian Evans, Lou Reed, Ryan Jones, Dan Lydiate, Sam Warburton, Justin Tipuric, Toby Faletau, Andy Powell, Mike Phillips, Lloyd Williams, Rhys Webb, Rhys Priestland, James Hook, Jamie Roberts, Jonathan Davies, Scott Williams, Gavin Henson, Ashley Beck, George North, Leigh Halfpenny, Alex Cuthbert, Harry Robinson, Liam Williams and Lee Byrne