State of the unions: Six Nations 2022 team-by-team prospects

The disruption that has blighted England’s buildup must be seen in the context of the size of the player pool available to Eddie Jones, but the fact that more than half the backs in the training squad – not to mention a handful of forwards – have never played in the Six Nations demonstrates the uncertainty with which their campaign begins.

On one hand, it gives Jones the chance to assess inexperienced players in the heat of battle but on the other England finished fifth last year and a repeat in 2022 would leave the Rugby Football Union running short of excuses as to why it should continue to back him.

Jones is having to strike the right balance, then, but there is optimism and excitement about his “New England” following uplifting autumn victories, notably over South Africa. Much of that comes from the anticipation that greets Marcus Smith’s every touch and the excellence of Freddie Steward but how those two, and other callow members of the side, perform when the rain is coming in sideways at Murrayfield could define England’s tournament.

A trip to Rome follows and England could be sitting pretty with two wins from two and bolstered by the expected return of Manu Tuilagi and, maybe, Joe Launchbury. Defeat, however, puts England under the pump from the onset.

Player to watch Alex Dombrandt. With no Sam Underhill in the squad, you’d expect Tom Curry to move to flanker, meaning an opening at No 8. Sam Simmonds is in good form but Dombrandt is the coming man.

Key match The trip to France on the final weekend could be a mouth-watering decider but this weekend in Murrayfield feels so important for England’s fortunes.

They start as favourites and there is undoubtedly a sense that now is the time for France to turn all of the