By Bruce Lowe
February 1, 2025
Dear Six Nations Followers and Supporters:
It’s become apparent that Guinness is now the “cool” drink of choice in the UK, so much so that they can’t brew it fast enough to keep pace with demand, and pubs are constantly running out! So it’s no surprise that this year’s edition of the tournament is now entitled “The Guinness Six Nations” Competition – it certainly means that you shouldn’t have much trouble getting one if you are attending one of the matches in person!
The first weekend is a salivating entrée into the competition, and I will begin my (mercifully, you will all think) brief preview with an even briefer short half-liner on each team’s prospects:
Ireland: Some kinks to work out, but still powerful
Wales: Struggling, seriously need to re-group
Scotland: Will brilliance be undermined by injuries?
Italy: Now tough for anyone to handle, home or away
France: An absolute powerhouse, especially at home.
England: Can flair finally mesh with physicality to triumph?
And so, to the matches:
France v Wales (Paris) 3:15 pm EST
It may not quite be “lambs to the slaughter,” but Wales – with many hallowed veterans now recently retired, some unproven replacements, plus an extended mostly losing streak, need to seriously reload and reverse recent trends. It’s their misfortune to have to start the campaign by going into the “lions’ den” of the Stade de France on the tournament’s opening evening to face a powerhouse French side, roared on by a very excited and partisan home crowd baying for blood!
France are replete with strength and depth and boosted by the return of world class halfbacks Dupont and Ntamack. The almost uniform success of the French clubs recently against their other five nations’ club representatives in the intra-European club competitions is an ominous foreboding.
Wales still have some terrific players – British and Irish Lions ’stars Josh Adams and Liam Williams return, a lot of Welsh pride is at stake, and they will fight hard … but … I have to be honest, if they can hold the losing margin to under twenty points, they will have done well.
Scotland v Italy (Murrayfield) 9.15 am
In the autumn internationals, Scotland arguably played the most exciting rugby of all the northern hemisphere countries. However, they have suffered injuries to key players eg tough centre and Captain Sione Tiopolotiu; second row Scott Cummings and backup flyhalf Adam Hastings.
Nonetheless, they still have a talented squad and should at home be able to handle a continuously improving Italian side which has gained much confidence and respect from their performances over the past year. The Scots will not take them lightly, even at home, and for that reason, while it could be close for a good part of the game, I expect the likes of wings Duhan van der Merwe and Darcy Graham to be beneficiaries of the flair and creativity of Finn Russell at flyhalf and Blair Kinghorn at fullback, and for Scotland to be comfortably in front by the end.
Ireland v England (Aviva Stadium) 11.45 am
This is a particularly fascinating match to start the tournament with. Ireland have been among the top 4 or 5 teams in the world for so long now, it is hard to think of them as a team of mere mortals!
But in the autumn internationals, they showed some signs of a bit of creaking – the customary full court press in attack and defense with minimal errors or breakdowns was not at times as smoothly in evidence as in the past. The retirement of some key veterans such as Jonny Sexton may have disrupted the accustomed team equilibrium somewhat. So, a few tweaks have been made. Leinster flyhalf Sam Prendergast in to replace his Munster counterpart Jack Crowley; Tagh Beirne to second row from prop to replace injured second row Joe McCarthy; Gary Ringrose in for Rob Henshaw in the centre.
Will the team gel as they have done for so long? On the other side of the equation, could England, after, in my humble opinion, too many years of consistently underachieving given their available talent and depth, finally get it right?
I truly think it may be their time. In the autumn, they were a whisker away from beating each of the top three southern hemisphere sides, albeit at home. The new captain is the formidable and relentless second row Maro Itoje.
It is worth remembering that over the past 40-50 years some of the most successful teams have been led by second rows: New Zealand had Colin Meads; Wales had Alan Wyn Jones; Ireland had Paul O’Connell. England have had Bill Beaumont and Martin Johnson; giants of men who have all had a huge influence in leading their teams to success.
Maro leads a team with a strong, physical pack, with the Curry twins in the back row; with tremendous attacking flair at half back in scrum half Alex Mitchell and flyhalf Marcus Smith (hard to believe Smith is only 25 and already has 42 caps); speed on the wings; and a rock-like fullback in Freddie Steward. I could be more excited about Lawrence and Slade as the centre combo, but perhaps with the flair around them their solidity and stability together as links aptly complements the surrounding talent.
This is very hard to call. Ireland are at home and I might just give them the nod, but it’s going to be very, very tight.
And so, on the eve of battle, “we few, we happy few, we band of brothers … etc, etc” (Henry V) enjoy! Eve of Agincourt or Eve of 2025 Six Nations? Take your pick!
*Bruce is a partner Taft, Stettinius & Hollister LLP, and a Board Member of the 1964 Rugby Foundation.
PS: Venues: for eastsiders without a passport, the Millard Fillmore Presidential Library pub in Collinwood (owned by the former eastside rugby Caldwell brothers) will host (they probably can’t replicate the delicious tater tots at the Fox & Hound, but donuts in the mornings are a possibility!). For those with passports, Gormley’s is still the alternative. Then for the hermits or recluses, there’s always streaming on Peacock. It’s definitely more fun watching with a group though.
PPS: Finally, thanks to everyone who signed up for the 1964 Rugby Foundation’s 50 Club. The first drawing is today, but there’s still time to pick up a ticket for the rest of the entire year. Don’t hesitate to contact Mike Gorjanc or Jack Nece. This does so much good for local rugby at all levels.
Best regards,
Bruce
Bruce Lowe
*Bruce is a partner Taft, Stettinius & Hollister LLP, and a Board Member of the 1964 Rugby Foundation.
