Six Nations set for big kick-off

By Phil Harlow

2008 RBS SIX NATIONS Dates: 2/3 Feb, 9/10 Feb, 23 Feb, 8/9 Mar, 15 Mar Coverage: Live on BBC Television and BBC Radio 5 Live, live streaming on BBC Sport website (UK users only). Highlights on BBC Sport website (UK users only). Watch in full on BBC iPlayer for seven days from Sunday (UK users only)

The 2008 RBS Six Nations promises to be the most open in years as Europe's showpiece rugby union tournament gets under way on Saturday.

Big-name retirements and coaching changes have marked a fresh start for most of the six countries involved.

World Cup finalists England and last year's champions France are the bookmakers' favourites for the title.

But with Wales, Ireland and Italy all hoping to atone for poor World Cups, the event may defy predictions again.

And with Scotland arguably enjoying the most stable build-up of any of the teams, the stage is set for the Celtic countries to challenge the traditional heavyweights of England and France.

Last year, France edged out Ireland for the title in the dying moments of their final match, and there is every chance that this year's tournament will be just as close.

England's run to last year's World Cup final has raised expectations after four years of underachievement in the championship, with third place their best finish since winning the Grand Slam in 2003.

WHY THE SIX NATIONS MATTERS It's not just a game of rugby. It's nation against nation and bragging rights - not for a few days, but for a whole year Wales coach Warren Gatland It's one of the great sporting events - it's all about the passion and emotion Former Wales star Ieuan Evans The wonderful thing is that it's more than just a game - it is the nationalistic fervour, the warmth of the spectators, the mutual respect and the fluctuating fortunes Italy coach Nick Mallett It's the best tournament in the world. It's the envy of the southern hemisphere and throws up surprises every year Wales legend & BBC pundit Jonathan Davies

Head coach Brian Ashton has kept faith with an experienced core of players, while taking the opportunity to bring the likes of James Haskell, Danny Cipriani and Lesley Vainikolo into the squad.

And Ashton has promised to add some flair and creativity to the defensive solidity that took them so close to glory in France.

"We played a certain type of rugby (at the World Cup) because that was what was required in a knock-out competition," he said.

"But I want to see us now expand our game and play more rugby. That doesn't mean a Sevens-style approach, but I do wish to see our players expressing themselves more and enjoying their rugby."

This year's tournament sees the introduction of plenty of new blood in the shape of three new coaches - Wales' Warren Gatland, France's Marc Lievremont and Italy's Nick Mallett - and exciting young talent across the board.

Gatland has taken on the challenge of restoring Wales' fortunes, and his decision to bring in Rob Howley and Shaun Edwards as his assistants has given the Principality a much-needed shot in the arm.

The former Ireland coach has shaken things up, installing Ryan Jones as his new captain, tempting flanker Martyn Williams out of a brief international retirement and selecting a record 13 players from one club side, the Ospreys, for the opener against England.

"We are going on a giant-killing mission," said Gatland.

606: DEBATE It should be the best Six Nations ever T-Toon

"We're like a first division club going to Manchester United in a cup tie. But we do have the self-belief to think we're in with a chance."

The relatively inexperienced Lievremont was a surprise choice as France's new coach, and the former flanker has wasted no time in freshening up his squad, with four news caps in the side to face Scotland.

Lievremont, assisted by former France winger Emile Ntmack, looks set to restore France's traditional flair after previous coach Bernard Laporte's emphasis on set-pieces and defence.

"(The coaches) talk about risks, initiatives, the right to make mistakes and I like it because one cannot take initiatives without taking risks," said France's flanker Thierry Dusautoir.

Dusautoir says France will let their creative instincts flow

"If you want players to play a bold and beautiful game, you have to accept that sometimes they will drop the ball, there will be turnovers, intercepts and even defeats.

"They are telling us we'll be allowed errors and off days without fear of exclusion."

Mallett has taken the Italy job on from Pierre Berbizier, and will be looking to build on the Azzurri's superb 2007 campaign when they won two games for the first time.

"It will be key for us to be 100% for the entire 80 minutes - from the first match to the end of the tournament we play teams that are above us in the rankings and we can't allow ourselves lapses in attention," he said.

Scotland, who claimed last year's Wooden Spoon, gave coach Frank Hadden a new rolling contract and there is genuine optimism that the improved performances of Glasgow and Edinburgh could herald a successful campaign.

"There have been more people in the mix and more genuine competition for places than I've ever come across before," said Hadden.

SIX NATIONS ODDS: France - 5-4 England - 2-1 Ireland - 5-1 Wales - 8-1 Scotland - 12-1 Italy - 66-1 (odds on 1 Feb 2008, courtesy of Ladbrokes)

"I'm not saying we've got as many options as the England coach has, but I would say we have as many as Wales and Ireland now, and that's a nice place for us to be."

Ireland go into the tournament with the most to prove after a disastrous World Cup in which they were arguably the biggest disappointment of the entire tournament.

Head coach Eddie O'Sullivan has decided against wholesale changes, but the players will need to rediscover the form they showed in finishing runner-up in four of the last five championships.

"There's no stand-out team in the Six Nations - everyone is looking at each other wondering what will happen," he said.

"That makes for an interesting tournament and it's become more and more competitive. Traditionally the Six Nations has been a happy hunting ground for us and we have always managed to get our best foot forward.

"We've had our setbacks along the way but we've always managed to get on with it."