What we have learnt from the Six Nations teams named for the opening round

All the Six Nations teams for the opening round of action are now in and we’ve taken a look at what we learned from the head coaches’ selections.

The Championship kicks off with a blockbuster fixture between France and Ireland in Marseille on Friday before Italy and England clash in Rome and Wales and Scotland collide in Cardiff on Saturday.

Here’s six things we learnt from the team announcements.

France will take the direct route

While France are renowned for their attacking brilliance, flair and entertaining play, that is not possible without setting the platform up front with an abrasive pack.

Ahead of the clash against Ireland, Fabien Galthie has not hidden his intentions at all with a heavy ball-carrying pack and some abrasive backs. His approach is aptly highlighted by the selection of centre Yoram Moefana on the wing.

“Yoram is in very good shape at the start of the season with his club, and he has physical potential for penetration, contest, an ability to do chain tasks and put pressure on the rucks,” assistant coach Patrick Arlettaz explained.

Effectively, they have preferred the centre for his repeat involvement and physicality against a side that thrives on their breakdown work.

Paul Gabrillagues packing down alongside Paul Willemse in the second-row further highlights France’s tactic of looking to outwork Ireland and taking the direct route into and through Andy Farrell’s side in close quarters. They are set to continue in that fashion with Posolo Tuilagi on the bench and if it opens up the likes of Paul Boudehent and Cameron Woki adding energy and pace in the latter stages. It’s clear, France don’t want an arm-wrestle, they want war.

Ireland adapt after 2023 disappointment

There isn’t much optional change overall to Ireland’s matchday 23 compared to the one that New Zealand defeated in the World Cup quarter-finals last year, but there have been some notable tweaks.

Calvin Nash is a similar player to Mack Hansen on the wing, while Robbie Henshaw’s inclusion in the centres is hardly a drop-off in quality with Garry Ringrose out injured.

But the big change is in the tight five, with Joe McCarthy slotting in alongside Tadhg Beirne. The Leinster heavyweight second-rower has been in fine form and is just the kind of tighthead lock Ireland has been screaming out for. While Andy Farrell has made minimal changes throughout his tenure, this shows that he is willing to make a big call when a player forces his hand.

Another big change is Ireland reverting to a 6-2 split on the bench, having been reluctant to do so last year, even when fronted with a 7-1 against South Africa in the pool stages. With the number of breakdown entries modern-day forwards have to hit, it makes sense to add more heavies among the replacements and with the depth Ireland has in their pack, it is a straightforward call, particularly against a mammoth pack like they are up against this week.

While it is all well and good to trust your systems and back your playing squad, Farrell has spoken about an evolution rather than a revolution, and while his initial squad for the Championship didn’t suggest much change, his matchday 23 does.

Steve Borthwick rewards form and looks to the future

England fans rued Eddie Jones’ reluctance to reward form when naming his squad, but that is far less of a concern with Steve Borthwick at the helm.

The former lock named several form players in his initial squad and again rewarded those playing well with spots in the matchday 23 for the first team of the year, including five potential debuts.

Ethan Roots has certainly put his hand with his thunderous form with Exeter Chiefs and is the kind of grafter on the flank that any former forward can appreciate. After 10 previous call-ups to the squad, Fraser Dingwall finally gets a first cap and rightly so. On the bench, Chandler Cunningham-South, Fin Smith and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso are all eased into Test rugby.

What Borthwick has managed well is giving some of these young talents their chance but also pairing them up with experienced heads to make the jump up to international rugby less intimidating.

The England boss could well have followed Warren Gatland’s example, but his approach is likely to result in more gradual growth that is sustainable.

Gonzalo Quesada to build on Kieran Crowley’s foundation

Italy made the interesting move of hiring former Stade Francais and Jaguares head coach Gonzalo Quesada to replace Kieran Crowley. The new boss has resisted the temptation to make sweeping changes despite a poor World Cup.

In fact, there are just two changes in the backline from the one that the France hammered 60-7 and two in the front-row.

It indicates that Quesada is keen to build on what his predecessor built rather than tear it down and start all over. The Argentine has even backed the same man to skipper his side.

This is great news for the Azzurri on the whole, as too often in the past has a coach come and made sweeping changes, which has stifled development and made it difficult to get any consistency in performance or results.

🎓 Cameron Winnett to make Wales debut v Scotland! #WALvSCO

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Check out Warren Gatland's team for Saturday. #GuinnessM6N pic.twitter.com/02KX8j3oIp

— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) February 1, 2024

Next-gen Warren Gatland

It’s a new era in Welsh Rugby, even if Gatland is still running the show as he overturns his squad following a host of retirements in 2023.

While World Cup captains Dewi Lake and Jac Morgan are injured, the Wales boss’ choice to select Dafydd Jenkins clearly indicates that he is looking to the future. Gatland could have quite easily turned to the more experienced heads of Adam Beard, Ryan Elias or Aaron Wainwright to lead the side but instead backed the youthful option.

With no Dan Biggar, Alun Wyn Jones, Justin Tipuric, Leigh Halfpenny, Liam Williams and many others in the squad, it certainly is a changing of the guard, and while pundits and bookies have largely written them off, Gatland has a knack for getting Wales on track and this time won’t be any different, it just might take a bit longer.

Gregor Townsend backs his regulars

The Scotland boss often tinkers with his side unnecessarily but has seemingly turned a corner in 2024 with only one change in his pack that is not entirely injury-enforced. Matt Fagerson starts in the number eight jumper with Jack Dempsey named on the bench, while in the backs, Kyle Rowe and Kyle Steyn come in for the injured Darcy Graham and Blair Kinghorn.

After a disappointing World Cup campaign, consistency in selection may just be what Scotland requires, especially if they hope to get consistency in their performances.

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