The head coach and a player from each of the six nations gathered for a virtual launch to share their thoughts on the 2022 Championship with the world’s media.
Reigning champions Wales kick things off when they travel to Dublin on Saturday February 5, while Scotland host England and France play Italy in the other Round 1 matches.
Before they faced the rugby media in individual sessions, the launch kicked off with all six captains or vice-captains interviewed by broadcaster Nick Heath on the virtual main stage for their initial views on the upcoming Championship.
Wales and Ireland preparing for battle
Speaking during the morning session on the stage, fly-half Dan Biggar – who will captain Wales for the 2022 Guinness Six Nations, with usual skipper Alun Wyn Jones out injured – is eager to build early momentum in their title defence.
“It’s a really tough start with the form that Ireland showed in autumn and how impressive Ireland are,” said Biggar. “We know how tough going to Dublin is, we’ve not had much success there in the last few years.
“This Championship hinges on momentum – if you get off to a good start, things flow and things get easier. It’s important for a good start – an away win on the first weekend sets you up nicely.
“The opening couple of weekends are pivotal to how the campaign will go for you.”
Ahead of the launch, Ireland captain Johnny Sexton had joked that with Biggar appointed as Wales skipper for the Championship, he’s “not sure the refs are going to be too happy having to deal with me and him!”
The frivolities continued on the main stage at the launch, with Sexton complimenting the choice of Biggar as captain and going on to say: “I got to know Dan on the Lions tour [in 2013] and we stayed in touch since.
“He’ll do well as captain for Wales. Obviously he’s known for sometimes getting at the ref but now he’s captain I’m sure he’ll be cool, calm and collected, just like I am!”
That prompted laughter from the assembled skippers and vice-skippers, with Biggar responding: “I agree with what Johnny said and hopefully Jaco [Peyper – referee for the Round 1 clash between Ireland and Wales] will get out unscathed!”
For their part, Ireland impressed as they won every game during the Autumn Nations Series and Sexton says the team are keen to extend that form into the 2022 Guinness Six Nations.
“We’ve got a pretty young squad apart from one or two outliers like me,” he explained. “The guys bring great energy, it’s been a great camp over last couple of years, especially in November with better performances than previously.
“We hope to continue that line into the Six Nations. We’ve got the reigning champions first up, so our full focus is on that one.”
The Calcutta Cup is always a special way to start the Championship and with Scotland looking to defend the trophy that they captured with their historic victory over England at Twickenham 12 months ago, skipper Stuart Hogg is relishing the Round 1 rematch at BT Murrayfield.
“It’s the best opportunity to kick off the Six Nations by playing England at home,” he said. “We love that game.
“As a proud Scotsman, and I think I speak on behalf of all of us, playing England in Edinburgh is the game we always look forward to. Then we’re off to Cardiff the week after, so it doesn’t get any easier.”
England enjoyed a perfect Autumn Nations Series with three wins from three and back-rower Tom Curry has promised their new style of play will continue.
“We are a different team from what we were a year ago – not just players but the way we play,” he said.
“We’re probably a bit more attacking, we’re more at teams which is big for us and that’s when we play our best rugby. That’s the big difference, especially what we showed in the Autumn.”
Expectations for France are high after they too notched a 100 per cent record during the Autumn Nations Series and have finished as runners-up in the past two Championships.
Centre and vice-captain Gaël Fickou says his team are ready to front up against the Azzurri in Round 1.
He said: “We are all getting prepared, it will be a very aggressive game against Italy.”
For Italy, Kieran Crowley heads into his first Guinness Six Nations as head coach and captain Michele Lamaro claims a youthful squad are ready to impress.
“Having Kieran Crowley as head coach is still something new, so we still have to adapt,” said Lamaro. “A few new guys have to adapt to the whole system.
“We are a pretty young team, so we have to put our energy in. Most of us played in last year’s Championship, so we have a little more experience around that – we’ll have to put that experience in with the energy.
“France are really in form, so it will be really difficult but we have to bring our energy and our passion and face them with all we have.”
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