The madness that is the 6 Nations Rugby Tournament kicks off this weekend.
 Luckily, I will be able
to watch England-Wales live on BBC America. My buddy Jacques should be along as
a neutral South African observer to take in the game from Twickenham. The other
two games this weekend will have Ireland hosting Italy and Scotland hosting
France.

It might easy to read too much into results from the past year, particularly the
November internationals. Ireland had a year for the ages in winning their first
Grand Slam in over 60 years, and finished undefeated in all internationals, with
only the home draw to Australia being the only game that the men in green did
not win in 2009.

Perennial Wooden Spoon candidate Italy must feel like the jilted girlfriend with
something to prove, after the Celtic League recently rebuffed a proposal to add
two Italian clubs to the Magner's League. Italy's strong front row might create
a few problems for the Irish, but with Ireland playing at home, and with a
formidable group of backs including the incomparable  O'Driscoll, it is
tough to imagine Ireland finding a way to lose the match.  I think the Italians
can keep it close the first 20-30 minutes, but the Irish just have too many
weapons to use in front of the green-clad faithful at the Irish temple of sport,
Croke Park.

With all of England's troubles during the November internationals, it is easy to
forget that they did actually finish second in last years edition of the 6
Nations. England gets Delon Armitage and Riki Flutey back from injury-they were
sorely missed in November. England Coach Martin Johnson has signaled that this
England side will be a more attack-minded side against the Welsh by picking
Matthew Tait at Outside Center and Danny Care at the number 9 jersey to play the
scrum half role, as England looks to win it's first 6 Nations since 2003.


Wales, Grand Slam winners two years ago, got some bad news before the England
match with Lions prop Gethin Jenkins being ruled out for Saturday's clash at
Twickenham. Warren Gatland, the Welsh Coach, did get some good news in that
fullback Lee Byrne had a potential two week suspension rescinded this past week
in Glasgow. This gives the Welsh a vital cog in their red machine as it goes for
4 wins in a row against the English.

Scotland has never won the 6 Nations tournament. Their last win was in the last
year of the 5 Nations Tournament was in 1999, when Wales' Scot Gibbs' late try
broke English hearts and handed the 5 Nations Trophy to the Scots. This weekend
the Scots get to host France- my pick to win this years tournament after their
stellar play in the autumn internationals and the very robust form of French
Clubs in the Heineken Cup.

Just because France will be heavily favored at Murrayfield does not mean that
the Scots cannot present a notable Banana peel to Marc Lievremont's side.
Glasgow is atop of the Magner's League, with 9  Glasgow players lining up for
Scotland on Saturday, including captain Chris Cusiter, who knows a thing or two
about French rugby after having played a couple of seasons at Perpignan. He also
has pegged the French as the team to beat in this 2010 Six Nations tournament.

French Coach Marc Lievremont had to replace Toulouse's injured Jean-Baptiste
Ellisalde with his teamate, Freddie Michalak on the roster. He also won't have
Racing Metro caveman-in-residence Sebastien Chabal at his call, as he is out due
to a back injury. Uncapped Toulouse lock Yoann Maestri will start in place of
the bearded one. France will start with Clermont scrum half Morgan Parra and
Montpellier fly half Francois Trinh-Duc. Stade Francais' center Mathieu
Bastareaud will be welcomed back to the squad and will bring his unique physical
gifts to the French back-line.  Lievremont will also have some weapons that he
did not have at his disposal back in November, with Poitrenaud, Rougerie and
Ouedraogo will be back at Fullback, wing, and flanker, respectively.

In spite of the injuries, France still has, on paper, a very formidable looking
side. France has a bad habit of playing to the level of their opposition, and
Scotland can turn a running game into a street fight, like they did in their
shocking win over Australia back in November. I think if France can get by this
potential banana peel of a match, a win in Edinburgh will give them the
confidence they will need the rest of their way. A loss will give the French
those recurring self doubts that has kept them from winning the Six Nations
since 2007.

My Predictions for 2010:
1. France
2. Ireland
3. England
4.Wales
5.Scotland
6.Italy