January 30, 2024, 07:01 GMT
Updated 20 minutes ago
image source, Getty Images
image description,
Johnny Sexton, Owen Farrell and Antoine Dupont will not take part in the 2024 Six Nations
|
Dates: February 2nd – March 16th |
|
Coverage: Selected games on ` TV and ` iPlayer, with live text on the ` Sport website and app and ` Radio 5 live commentary for every game. |
This year's Six Nations will be full of new faces and personalities.
Regulars Johnny Sexton, Alun Wyn-Jones, Stuart Hogg and Dan Biggar have all retired from Test rugby, while Owen Farrell and Antoine Dupont have ruled themselves out of selection.
The first tournament after a World Cup is usually a time of change, as Northern Hemisphere teams begin another four-year cycle.
So who will fill the void in 2024? ` Sport profiles four young players looking to compete in the Six Nations.
Nolann le Garrec
image source, Getty Images
image description,
Nolann le Garrec could make his Test debut for France in this year's Six Nations
Nolann le Garrec is among two French scrum-halves facing the unenviable task of replacing Dupont, the 2021 World Player of the Year, widely regarded as the best number nine in world rugby.
Dupont is taking a break from XVs play to concentrate on Sevens and competing for host at the upcoming Paris Olympics.
Le Garrec was named in the 2023 Six Nations squad but remains out of action for Racing 92 despite his promising form.
Maxime Lucu was a substitute for Dupont at the World Cup and is likely to start the opening weekend against Ireland, but Le Garrec could prove valuable with his sniping runs, impressive distribution and clever kicking game.
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso
image source, Getty Images
image description,
In addition to rugby, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso is also studying medicine
Fly-half Farrell will be conspicuously absent from England's defense, but could his attacking threat lie elsewhere?
Winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso has shown frightening pace, tackling power and a flair for the tryline in five of 10 Premiership games for Exeter this season.
The Cardiff-born 21-year-old represented Wales at age level level but chose to make himself available to England, for whom he qualifies due to his family background.
Jack Crowley
image source, Getty Images
image description,
Jack Crowley led Munster to the United Rugby Championship title last season
The Johnny Sexton era is over.
The end of the Irish colossus' 14-year international career opens the door for someone else to take up his number 10 jersey and create their own legacy.
Munster fly-half Jack Crowley lifted the United Rugby Championship trophy last season and is likely to earn his 10th cap against France. But will he be able to display the same temperament and game management skills required to control the Irish attack at the highest level? ?
Friday night's opening game in Marseille should give us a good indication.
Sam Costelow
image source, Getty Images
image description,
Sam Costelow has won eight caps for Wales since making his debut on August 5, 2023
Like Ireland, Wales are also looking for a new foothold at 10 after Dan Bigger ended his 15-year Test career in October.
Scarlets full-back Sam Costelow made his Wales debut in last summer's World Cup warm-up against England and, despite his injury-hit season, is fully confident he will make the most of the opportunity.
The 23-year-old only returned to the club on New Year's Day after injuring both his shoulder and hamstring in Wales' win over the Barbarians in November.
But Biggar himself said Costelow had the “X factor” with his solid shooting game, his distribution to keep defenses honest and his acceleration to exploit their weaknesses.
New captains
Retirement and unavailability are often triggers for a change in leadership.
Peter O'Mahony, 34, is no stranger to Test rugby and will lead Ireland's defense of the Grand Slam in Sexton's absence. The experienced flanker has won 101 caps since making his debut in 2010 and has previously captained the Irish national team ten times.
Jamie George will deputize for Saracens clubmate Farrell as England captain. The 33-year-old hooker has played 85 international matches but has never captained a club or country. He is likely to start every game as the only senior hooker in the squad and is well respected by his teammates.
Fly-half Finn Russell is known for his talismanic attacking abilities and reliable boot, but will co-captain Scotland alongside flanker Rory Darge. The pair succeed Jamie Ritchie, who head coach Gregor Townsend said had done an “outstanding” job but could now concentrate on his role as a winger. Russell, 31, has won 75 caps while Darge, 23, has played 15 Tests.
Wales ban Dafydd Jenkins is the youngest captain in this year's Six Nations at just 21 years old. He is also his country's second-youngest captain, after Gareth Edwards led Wales as a 20-year-old in 1968. Although Jenkins only played 12 Tests, he showed exemplary leadership qualities as captain of Exeter Chiefs.
France, in turn, is relying on the experience of number eight Gregory Alldritt after Dupont's withdrawal. The 26-year-old has already enjoyed success as captain, leading La Rochelle to back-to-back Investec Champions Cup titles. He has won 45 caps and was preferred to former captain and Dupont predecessor Charles Ollivon.
Italy's Michele Lamaro is the only captain to retain his role from the 2023 Six Nations, but the Azzurri are under new management.
Former Argentina fly-half Gonzalo Quesada has taken over as head coach from Kieran Crowley and is tasked with avoiding the wooden spoon they ended with last year.
Quesada previously coached Stade Francais and Biarritz, having previously served as an assistant coach for France.
Italy have lost all 24 home games in the Six Nations since beating Ireland in 2013 and will begin their season against England in Rome.
Comments are closed.