From Rugby World reader, Larissa Falls
England:
Positive: Hardest games against Wales and Ireland are at home
Negative: Their game plan! They need one after a lack of ideas in November
Player to Watch: Flutey- if he and Wilkinson click, the backline can start to fire
Banana Skin: Scotland at Murrayfield. Their hoodoo ground
Would love to see: Tries!
Verdict: 3rd
Ireland:
Positive: Consistency in selection and an invaluable sense of self belief
Negative: Their scrum. Held its own but needs more against Wales and France
Player to Watch: Cian Healy- will be looking to cement his place in the team
Banana Skin: France in Paris. Looking more like a possible title decider
Would love to see: Whether the tired bodies from the Lions tour can hold up
Verdict: 1st
Scotland:
Positive: Defence. Play as they did against Oz and they may smother teams
Negative: Inability to run the ball. More defence than attacking driven
Player to Watch: Ruaridh Jackson- may be the complete fly-half they’re after
Banana Skin: Italy in Italy. Looking like it’ll settle the Wooden Spoon
Would love to see: Points on the point from tries
Verdict: 5th
Wales:
Positive: Lions front row will provide a great platform and ball for the backs
Negative: Scrum half. With no Peel and Phillips they lack a general in that role
Player to Watch: Sam Warburton- hopefully gets a chance to showcase his talent
Banana Skin: 1st game. Win and gain confidence, loose and heads will drop
Would love to see: More running and less kicking
Verdict: 4th
Italy:
Positive: Scotland at home may just let them notch up a victory
Negative: Parisse’s absence. Arguably the most influential player in any team
Player to Watch: McLean- goal kicking may well be their only way of scoring
Banana Skin: Lack of self belief without their (regular) captain
Would love to see: A win or two
Verdict: 6th
France:
Positive: Good fixture for them with Ireland and England at home
Negative: Half-back. Need to find a partnership that works
Player to Watch: Dusautoir- awesome to watch and so destructive
Banana Skin: Inconsistency. Amazing one week, awful the next!
Would love to see: The French flair
Verdict: 2nd