There is every chance France may run riot here as they have too many classy players, with Antoine Dupont in particular widely considered as the world’s best.
Scotland take on Italy and, despite losing their captain Sione Tuipulotu to injury, will no doubt prove to be too strong.
Ireland host England. Not at their best in the Autumn but Ireland’s club stars are hitting form.
It is hard to look beyond France as Six Nations winners. Their away fixture in the second round against England may determine the outcome of the tournament.
Meanwhile, the final Gallagher Premiership, Top 14 and URC games before the Six Nations tournament yielded mixed results last weekend.
Six Nations squads are finalising their preparations with players not yet selected hoping a good performance at club level may force them into a place in the Lions squad.
Then there is the sword of Damocles which hovers over all players - the risk of injury. For some it is catastrophic, for others it opens a door to selection. The emotional impact of sport can never be underestimated.
In the URC, Leinster have a 10-point lead in the table. They are the dominant team and provide most of Irelands national squad.
In the Top 14, last season’s play-off finalists head the table with Bordeaux 3 points clear of Toulouse. Both are nearly international standards.
In all three major competitions club squads are really being stretched because of international call ups. Clubs can benefit from having a development program that trains skilled 18–20-year-olds to compensate for international departures.
In the Gallagher Premiership, Harlequins scrambled to a 22-19 late win over a Northampton side missing 17 players, leaving them unlikely to make the top four. Gloucester beat Leicester 38-31 in the Slater Cup, exposing Leicester’s defensive frailties. Exeter, who have only won one game this season overcame a much-weakened Saracens 31-22. Sale lost at home for only the second time to Bath 32-23. Bristol thumped Newcastle 55 v 35.
In the URC Leinster strolled passed the Stormers 36-12 to maintain their lead at the top of the table. The Sharks easily overcame Cardiff 42-22 to remind everyone that there is a mounting South African threat in the water.
In France, Toulouse and Bordeaux had mixed fortunes, with most of their players in the French squad, Toulouse accounting for Montpellier 27-17 and Bordeaux falling 20-22 to Lyon.
The Global Rugby Coach, Mike Penistone, is a globally renowned professional rugby coach based in Phuket who is also an ambassador for the Asia Center Foundation, a charity for disadvantaged children. For more information visit: www.rugbycoachingconsultancy.com.