2024 Six Nations Preview - What We Need To Know Before Friday - Champions Travel Blog

2024 Six Nations Preview - What We Need To Know Before Friday
2024 Six Nations Preview - What We Need To Know Before Friday

 

Following a Rugby World Cup that was dominated by the Southern Hemisphere sides, with South Africa coming out on top, attention now turns to the 2024 Six Nations.

With huge changes in the offing for France, England, Wales, and Ireland heading into this year’s tournament, it is arguably one of the most open Six Nations in recent memory.

However, all 6 sides will believe that they can enjoy a successful tournament ahead and with European rugby as hotly contested as it ever has been, it should be a Six Nations to remember.
 

2024 Team Previews
 

Ireland

Defending Six Nations Grand Slam champions Ireland will certainly have a target on their back in 2024 and they do have the look of a side ready to kick on at this level.

With head coach Andy Farrell having been confirmed as the coach of the British & Irish Lions for 2025, Ireland will be feeling full of confidence ahead of their Six Nations defence.

Changes in the playing personnel will need to be dealt with, as talismanic fly-half Johnny Sexton has stepped away from the Irish side and it remains to be seen how they will cope without their key number 10.

However, Ireland have been the side to beat in the Six Nations over the past few years and they will be raring to go from the off here.

France

Failing to deliver when it mattered most in their home World Cup in the Autumn will continue to haunt France but the quality within their ranks is undoubted.

As one of the most exciting young sides in world rugby, France are capable of beating anybody on their day and they will be desperate to clinch back the Six Nations title they claimed in 2022.

Antoine Dupont will be missing throughout the campaign for the French, and how they will cope in his absence is the key question but there is no doubting their strength in depth.

Gregory Alldritt will be leading the side in the absence of Dupont and his steady pair of hands could prove vital in their Six Nations pursuit.

England

Reaching the semi-finals of the Rugby World Cup was a super return for England, who remain a side struggling for an identity under head coach Steve Borthwick.

That said, England have dug in throughout recent Six Nations campaigns and beating them at Twickenham is the ultimate carrot for every other side in the competition.

England will also be adjusting to life under new leadership, with Owen Farrell taking an extended break from international rugby and Jamie George being given the armband.

A new look England side though can always be dangerous and with plenty of young talent in their ranks, they are somewhat of an unknown quantity in the 2024 Six Nations.

Wales

It has been a tumultuous couple of seasons for Wales, who are readjusting to life under Warren Gatland ahead of the 2024 Six Nations.

A disappointing defeat to Argentina at the Rugby World Cup will still rankle with some Welsh fans and they feel like a change of personnel and ideas is needed.

The likes of Alan Wyn Jones have stepped away from the fold, with Dafydd Jenkins taking on the mantle of Welsh captain, at the tender age of just 21.

Elsewhere, flying winger Lewis Rees-Zammit has opted to move away from Welsh rugby and to the NFL, presenting new opportunities to those coming through the fabled Welsh system.

Scotland

A steady upward curve has been trending within Scottish rugby in recent seasons and they will be hoping that the 2024 Six Nations could be their breakthrough year.

Solid results in recent seasons haven’t necessarily translated into climbing up the Six Nations table but their group will surely be better for those experiences.

Gregor Townsend has opted for a co-captaincy approach for the 2024 Six Nations, with flanker Rory Darge stepping into the leadership group.

He will work alongside talismanic fly-half Finn Russell and the duo will be looking to plot a route to Scottish success at the 2024 Six Nations.

Italy

Perennial outsiders Italy are always the side that are written off before any Six Nations campaign has begun but Italian rugby as a whole is certainly on the up.

Club rugby success for the likes of Benetton has been noted and with many of Italy’s squad plying their trade at some of the biggest sides in European rugby, they won’t have any fear here.

Continuity has been kept within the squad, as Michele Lamaro remains as captain – the only skipper to maintain their role from the 2023 Six Nations.

A change has been made in the managerial department however, as Gonzalo Quesada has stepped into the breach, with the simple task of avoiding the wooden spoon, again.

 

Ireland Six Nations packages, including coach transfer packages and hotel packages, available HERE from Champions Travel.

Ireland v Italy – 11th Feb, 2024

Irland v Wales – 24th Feb, 2024

Ireland v Scotland – 16th March, 2024

 

 




Author: ChampionsTravel
2024-01-31
Category:
Rugby

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