A new decade of rugby will kick off in Cardiff on the 1st of February and the 2020’s also brings with it a fresh look to all of the participants in this years tournament.
With an eye on the next Rugby World Cup in France in 2023, there has been numerous changes in players and management for all the teams. Furthermore, British and Irish players will be keen to stake their claims for a spot on last years Grand Slam winning coach Warren Gatland’s Lions tour to world champions the Springboks in two years-time.
Last years undefeated winners Wales will open the tournament against Italy, who finished bottom of the championship last year claiming their 14th ‘Wooden Spoon’ in 20 tournaments since their inception in 2000.
The Welsh are one of four nations with a new head coach in Kiwi Wayne Pivac. No stranger to Welsh rugby, Pivac coached the Scarlets to a Pro 12 title in 2017 and took charge of Wales in an uncapped fixture against the Barbarians in November. He has brought in a number of new coaches including former Grand Slam winners Sam Warburton, Martyn Williams and Stephen Jones.
Wales will be looking to overcome their World Cup semi-final defeat in Japan. Inspirational skipper, 2019 World Rugby Player of the year nominee and 2019’s player of the tournament Alun Wyn Jones returns, the only player in Pivac’s squad to represent a coach other than Warren Gatland for Wales.
Welsh fans will also be excited to see the World Cup top try scorer Josh Adams, who will no doubt be looking to add to his impressive scoring rate. There were reports Adams would start in the 13 jersey against the Italians following Jonathan Davies’ omission due to a knee injury sustained in Japan. However, Wales’ midfield options have been given a massive boost by the selection of former England u16, u18, u20 and ‘A’ Team star Nick Tomkins. Currently one of Saracens crop of outstanding talent, Tompkins qualifies through a grandmother from Wrexham. We may still see Adams or even George North appear at 13 in the championship but as a natural outside centre Tompkins will be a welcome coup for Pivac.
Tompkins isn’t the only exciting name on Welsh supports lips. Another English based player in 18-year-old speedster Louis Rees-Zammit is fast becoming the most talked about player in Welsh rugby. Cardiffian ‘LRZ’ has been on fire for Gloucester this season scoring 5 tries in the Gallagher Premiership and despite some calls for him to be left in the Under 20’s side to develop, Pivac has shown faith in the youngster using the old saying “if you’re good enough you’re old enough” when asked about his selection.
Wales will be more than confident of defeating an Italian side also going through a transitional phase, with a new head coach and captain in Franco Smith and Luca Bigi respectively. Two tough away trips in Dublin and London follow with the small matter of the French in Cardiff in between. Former Wales defence guru Sean Edwards will be returning to the Principality Stadium for the first time after taking up the same role with the French RFU and Wales will know that they won’t have it easy in Cardiff that day. If they manage to get through these fixtures then a final day showdown with Scotland at home will be instore. Scotland’s attacking style running rugby will always be a threat but with the passionate support in Cardiff Wales would expect to beat the Scots.
My prediction: 1st Place (But, without a Grand Slam).
Haydn Evans 