WALES
History beckons for the defending champions as they go in search of a third straight title — something no side has yet managed in all this Championship’s guises. They may still be coming up short against the southern hemisphere ‘big three’, as indeed are most of their European rivals, but that’s no reason to think they will be any less of a force in this Six Nations.
Under the influence of coach Warren Gatland, Wales have developed an all-round game few of their Championship opponents can match and even when things go wrong, as they did in last season’s opening defeat by Ireland, they have had sufficient mental resilience to bounce back and finish strongly, wrecking England’s Grand Slam bid with a 30-3 demolition job in Cardiff.
Even the fact captain Sam Warburton could miss next week’s opener against Italy because of nerve damage in his shoulder, which has kept him sidelined since November, is offset by the fact his likely replacement, Justin Tipuric, is himself a top-class back-row forward.
Behind the scrum, Wales will again look to Toulon-bound full-back Leigh Halfpenny, last season’s man of the tournament and then man of the series for the British and Irish Lions, coached by Gatland, in their victorious tour of Australia for both points and penetrating runs from deep.
George North has already made the move away from Wales to join English Premiership side Northampton.
But the Six Nations offers Wales fans the chance to enjoy North doing what he does best, terrorising opponents with his speed and strength, as well as a fair share of guile, when given a chance to attack.
Form since 2013 Six Nations: W (JPN), L (JPN), L (RSA), W (ARG), W (TGA), L (AUS)
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