Defending champions Ireland will fight to set the standard again, while England will be desperate to atone for last year’s fifth-place finish.
Here, Press Association Sport looks at five players to watch ahead of another compelling Six Nations championship.
Billy Vunipola, England
James Ryan, Ireland
Aaron Wainwright, Wales
Finn Russell, Scotland
Romain Ntamack, France
?? Voici les 31 Bleus qui défendront nos couleurs pendant le tournoi des @SixNations_FR ! #XVdeFrance #NeFaisonsXV pic.twitter.com/EieIwYXsjG
— FF Rugby (@FFRugby) January 9, 2019
Not satisfied with the burden of his famous name, this rookie 19-year-old will be charged with leading France’s backline, as and when his Test debut comes. The son of ex-Les Bleus wing Emile, Ntamack has already helped France to the 2018 World Rugby Under-20 Championship crown. Regular action at top club Toulouse has now also propelled him to Jacques Brunel’s 31-man squad. The time to justify the hype and expectation appears nigh.
