Yes there will be a lot of close games this year that's for sure. Even though I predict Italy to finish bottom they have had some great results the past twelve months and will not be push overs by any means. Wales have been unlucky with injuries in the past but with a great coach like Warren Gatland in charge will be tough to beat. I would fancy England to beat Wales if the game was at Twickenham but in Cardiff it's never an easy place to win. I thought Italy's win over Wales last year was the stand out match of the tournament ( sorry Misswolf that was one result you would prefer to forget. )
There are a few things I'd like to forget but that's life
This year more than most is going to be a very interesting one, an up and coming Italy alongside two of the big teams with new coaches, albeit Wales has a returning coach but still a change so close to a tournament like this is always a risk.
I never had faith in Pivac, he wasn't great at club level IMO so why they thought he could step up to national level I have no idea. The interesting thing is that returning coaches don't have a great history of repeating their initial success so I hope Gatland can buck the trend, he is already looking outside of the 'favorites pool' for talent which can only be a good thing but takes time to develop, his eye I think is on the WC and the 6 nations is just a practice run.
I'm keen to see how the England changes will play out, I think imo the main issues around the English team are again the favourites pool and the attitude, Farrell is imo an excellent player but his sulky little boy persona needs to go and he needs to put on his big boy pants when things aren't going his or England's way.
Interesting times Mr Bluesky 🤔