Formidable France and evolving England eye title – Six Nations talking points

Ireland and Wales meet in Dublin on February 5 to launch the penultimate Guinness Six Nations before the 2023 World Cup.

Here the PA news agency examines five talking points heading into an event that sees France or England as favourites to seize Wales’ crown.

England’s rollercoaster ride under Eddie Jones took another plunge downwards last year in the form a fifth-place finish in the Six Nations, on points difference their worst performance since Italy joined the competition in 2000. The team has been reshaped into ‘New England’ in a genuine overhaul that has seen go-to players of the Jones era such as the Vunipola brothers and Elliot Daly culled. A clean sweep of autumn victories over Tonga, Australia and South Africa has restored confidence but another finish near the wrong end of the Championship table would be unacceptable.

At the heart of the excitement building around England’s new direction is Marcus Smith, the highly gifted playmaker who has yet to put a foot wrong in five caps. He showed real maturity in a 27-26 victory over world champions South Africa in November, emerging from his toughest test yet with his reputation enhanced. The 22-year-old’s flair in attack has always been obvious, but it is his generalship that has shown the greatest improvement. A first Six Nations provides a new challenge, however, as Smith must prove he can deliver at the highest level when the distance is a marathon and not a sprint.

Of all the teams involved, it is France who have the greatest capacity to animate the tournament as they continue building for the 2023 World Cup they are hosting. In Antoine Dupont they possess the world’s finest player who has redefined the role of a scrum-half, while an array of attacking