Never mind the weather...the 6 Nations will warm us up !

Robert Kitson's article in the Guardian is a pretty neat summary of my feelings on the battles to come. Injuries have already cut Wales and England to the bone. Domestic progress by Scottish and Italian sides won't be enough to raise the bar at international level. So it's down to Ireland and France. If the trio of O'Brien, Ferris and Heaslip come through tomorrow's revenge mission against what's left of Sam's WC semi finalists, you have to fancy their chances. Overall, however, the French under an intelligent, respected coach such as St Andre are bound to be a force. For too long they have tinkered with selection, paricularly at half back. Now the players have a chance of knowing where they stand, secure in the knowledge that the guy making all the big decisions from the stand has some sort of clue as to what he's doing. With such a powerful player base, and a rich vein of talent on the rise, Les Bleues will be a tough proposition for anyone. Next week's game against O'Connell's buoys will be the key match of this year's 6 Nations, and I have a ticket for what I hope will be the best game - Wales at home to the French on the last weekend. Allez les Rouges !