Key storylines ahead of the Six Nations

Editor

Scotland's decade-long wait, the Jackson-Sexton debate and more ahead of the third weekend of the Six Nations. Here are the major narratives to follow this weekend.

1) Scotland's long wait to beat Wales

Pre-Six Nations we documented the longest losing streaks for teams away from home, and Scotland featured heavily, but perhaps a greater surprise is the fact that in their rivalry with Wales it has been ten years since Scotland last triumphed.

That was hardly a classic, seven penalties from Chris Paterson outdoing three from Stephen Jones, but that's all Scottish fans have had to cling on to ever since.

Surely this is the best chance Scotland have had for many years to end that run, not because Wales are in a rut – after all, they were very close to breaking England's run – but because Scotland and Vern Cotter have a group of players bonded under a system that seems to work and that has been implemented by the right coaches, working with a wealth of playing talent.

Greig Laidlaw will of course be missed, but Ali Price's form for Glasgow Warriors warrants a start. What a turnaround too for John Barclay, who couldn't crack the squad a couple of years ago and now will captain them at Murrayfield.

2) Pressure on Johnny Sexton

When we asked you earlier this week who should start against France, more of you (narrowly) favoured Paddy Jackson to get the nod after far from disgracing himself in the opening matches against Scotland and Italy.

Sexton however is back to face France and the selection of course makes sense, with the fly-half a vital player for Ireland throughout this decade and with a series of big wins under his belt for both Ireland and the Lions.

Is Jackson unlucky? Yes, because over the last year and especially on the South Africa tour, which Sexton missed, he proved that now at 25 he is fully capable of doing more than just keeping the shirt warm.

He also knows, based on recent years, that Sexton staying fit for a run of matches is no longer a certainty; in fact he has only played 130 minutes since November. And should he suffer another knock, Jackson will be waiting.

3) Half-back consistency for France

Tucked into France's team release on Thursday among the notes regarding three changes to the side – two being injury-enforced, these are no longer than roulette wheel days of Philippe Saint-André – was that half-backs Baptiste Serin and Camille Lopez will start the third match in a row for France, the first time that has happened under Guy Novès.

That fact that this has been highlighted is a reminder of just how often France have chopped and changed over the years in this department, to the incredulity of those watching on. Talent has never been the issue, Jean-Marc Doussain's mad moments aside, but the outrage has come because if history has proven anything, it is to not tamper unnecessarily with your half-backs if you want to achieve success.

Serin, an outstanding talent, and the ever-improving Lopez have done little wrong in the opening matches and unshockingly therefore keep their places. Although not selecting a replacement fly-half might be a little drastic…

4) Tommaso Allan a true improvement on Carlo Canna?

England's open training session last Friday at Twickenham was a big success, and as observed by many in attendance featured those backs not set to start, running drills against the chosen backline with one adopting a replica of Carlo's Canna scrum cap in order for England to familiarise themselves.

England and the wider world expected Canna to keep his spot but instead, Conor O'Shea has plumped for Tommaso Allan, to try and mix up Italy's attack.

Our analyst broke down where Canna was struggling, and that change alone is unlikely to turn Italy's Six Nations around and produce a win at Twickenham currently priced at 50/1. 

5) Moriarty keeping out Faletau

The outrage at Ross Moriarty being subbed off despite being the best player on the pitch against England has just about evaporated, just in time for him to be selected to start at number eight against Scotland and therefore keeping Taulupe Faletau on the bench.

Rob Howley's decision benefits Wales in two ways. Firstly, it keeps Faletau on his toes, making him aware that he will not walk back into the shirt he has (quite brilliantly) made his own ever since he made his international debut back in 2011.

And secondly, unlike the Jackson/Sexton situation, it proves to Moriarty that outstanding displays will be rewarded, with the caveat that Faletau is on hand to step in if Moriarty fails to make an impact. Dropping him would have been an almighty confidence killer.

6) Where best to play Elliot Daly

Plenty of talk over the last two weeks since Wales was that Elliot Daly would at last get a run at outside centre, which was only amplified when Jonathan Joseph was left out of England's final squad back on Wednesday.

Daly may well end up in the 13 channel at some stage against Italy all going well, but for now Ben Te'o starts in that role and Daly finds himself once again out on the wing. 

While perfectly capable of playing on the wing – see his pace and finish against Wales – his best position would appear to be either 13 or full-back, and it's the latter where Jones might be tempted to use him as an alternative for Mike Brown in the long run. Essentially, while Daly might start on the wing on Sunday, don't expect him to stay there.

by Ben Coles