Our team of BBC rugby experts have predicted the winner of every match in the forthcoming 2008 RBS Six Nations Championship.
Last year Jerry, Keith and Jonathan all predicted 10 of the 15 matches correctly, with Andy lagging behind with only seven.
All four picked Ireland to win the title last year, but this year they vary between France, champions for the past two years, and England in what looks a very open tournament.
Andy Nicol predicts Scotland to upset France and England at Murrayfield, as they did two years ago, and be one of five teams to finish with three wins apiece.
Jerry and Jonathan also predict an opening-weekend loss for the defending champions, while Keith is struggling to call England-Ireland on the final day.
See what you make of their selections and then give us your own predictions on 606.
Ireland v Italy
England v Wales
Scotland v France
Wales v Scotland
France v Ireland
Italy v England
Wales v Italy
Ireland v Scotland
France v England
Ireland v Wales
Scotland v England
France v Italy
Italy v Scotland
England v Ireland
Wales v France
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I think England will probably lose in Paris, but they have rediscovered the knack of winning games even when they are not playing that well.
I think they've got the power up front and the confidence to take the title, with France and Ireland also in the mix.
Ireland don't take huge risks but should win their home games, while Scotland have improved under Frank Hadden.
Wales need to sort out their line-out and unfortunately I think Italy will be last again.
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VERDICT: ENGLAND WIN TITLE ON POINTS DIFFERENCE
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P
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W
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D
|
L
|
Pts
|
England
|
5
|
4
|
0
|
1
|
8
|
France
|
5
|
4
|
0
|
1
|
8
|
Ireland
|
5
|
3
|
0
|
2
|
6
|
Wales
|
5
|
2
|
0
|
3
|
4
|
Scotland
|
5
|
2
|
0
|
3
|
4
|
Italy
|
5
|
0
|
0
|
5
|
0
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Back to top
Ireland v Italy
England v Wales
Scotland v France
Wales v Scotland
France v Ireland
Italy v England
Wales v Italy
Ireland v Scotland
France v England
Ireland v Wales
Scotland v England
France v Italy
Italy v Scotland
England v Ireland ?
Wales v France
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I hate making predictions before the start for the simple reason you have no idea how these guys are going to play.
I have gone for France to win it even with a lot of new faces because they have huge strength in depth, and can win away from home.
I think Ireland can win their home games, but I think they will probably lose in Paris.
But I still have a question mark over England v Ireland - I want to say Ireland, but I just can't really call it.
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VERDICT: FRANCE TO WIN GRAND SLAM
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P
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
Pts
|
France
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5
|
5
|
0
|
0
|
10
|
Ireland
|
5
|
3/4
|
0
|
1/2
|
6/8
|
England
|
5
|
2/3
|
0
|
3/2
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4/6
|
Wales
|
5
|
2
|
0
|
3
|
4
|
Scotland
|
5
|
1
|
0
|
4
|
2
|
Italy
|
5
|
1
|
0
|
4
|
2
|
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Back to top
Ireland v Italy
England v Wales
Scotland v France
Wales v Scotland
France v Ireland
Italy v England
Wales v Italy
Ireland v Scotland
France v England
Ireland v Wales
Scotland v England
France v Italy
Italy v Scotland
England v Ireland
Wales v France
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I've gone for France to lose their opening game as I think they will not have clicked while Scotland are settled.
In recent times, you always look at where France play England as a guide for the championship.
The winner of that game normally wins the title and I've gone for France on points difference.
But there are so many permutations and it promises to be the best championship we have had in years.
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VERDICT: FIVE-WAY TIE - FRANCE ON PTS DIFFERENCE
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P
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
Pts
|
France
|
5
|
3
|
0
|
2
|
6
|
England
|
5
|
3
|
0
|
2
|
6
|
Wales
|
5
|
3
|
0
|
2
|
6
|
Ireland
|
5
|
3
|
0
|
2
|
6
|
Scotland
|
5
|
3
|
0
|
2
|
6
|
Italy
|
5
|
0
|
0
|
5
|
0
|
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Back to top
Ireland v Italy
England v Wales
Scotland v France
Wales v Scotland
France v Ireland
Italy v England
Wales v Italy
Ireland v Scotland
France v England
Ireland v Wales
Scotland v England
France v Italy
Italy v Scotland
England v Ireland
Wales v France
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I can see a shared championship between England and France, with France possibly sneaking it.
I reckon they could lose their opener against Scotland, but win their other four games.
The first game is crucial for Wales - if they beat England they will believe they can go on to win the championship.
Ireland need to improve, the Scottish teams are playing with confidence, and with three new coaches there is a great air of uncertainty.
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VERDICT: FRANCE OR ENGLAND ON POINTS DIFFERENCE
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|
|
P
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
Pts
|
France
|
5
|
4
|
0
|
1
|
8
|
England
|
5
|
4
|
0
|
1
|
8
|
Ireland
|
5
|
3
|
0
|
2
|
6
|
Wales
|
5
|
2
|
0
|
3
|
4
|
Scotland
|
5
|
1
|
0
|
4
|
2
|
Italy
|
5
|
1
|
0
|
4
|
2
|
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Back to top
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