The 2014 RBS 6 Nations launched in London today as coaches and captains convened at the Hurlingham Club. Wales, led by victorious British & Irish Lions captain Sam Warburton and coach Warren Gatland, will seek to make history by becoming the first side to win a third successive RBS 6 Nations title.
rbs6nations
The defending champions will get the competition underway when they host Italy, who finished fourth last season, at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday February 1.
“I always look forward to the RBS 6 Nations, that’s what you are measured on, even a few weeks prior to the announcement it’s the one that you really look forward to,” said Warburton.
“It’s been a great experience over the last three years, particularly the last two. I think this is my fifth RBS 6 Nations now, it’s in fantastic stadiums, with great players and a great atmosphere.
“Warren has created an environment that all the players love, we got together on Monday and the focus is purely on trying to win the RBS 6 Nations.”
England finished second in both 2012 and 2013 but with captain Chris Robshaw and coach Stuart Lancaster again working in tandem they will hope to go one better this year.
The Red Rose begin with a testing trip to Paris – the second Saturday game of the opening weekend – before making the journey to Scotland on the second weekend, their first home game at Twickenham coming on Saturday February 22 against Ireland.
“Of course it was very disappointing to go down there and not get over that final hurdle. Wales have beaten us on the last two occasions now,” said Robshaw.
“But every game in this tournament is a massive occasions, we start away to France and we are looking forward to going over there.
“Two away games to start will be challenging but Stuart and coaches have it under cotnrol, we know that we need to hit the ground running.”
The final match of the opening weekend sees Ireland face Scotland in Dublin, when the home side will bid to gain revenge for last season’s 12-8 defeat at Murrayfield.
Joe Schmidt is preparing for his first RBS 6 Nations as Ireland coach and arrives at the championship off the back of an autumn series that saw them agonisingly beaten 22-24 by a last-gasp All Blacks try.
“I think we achieved a lot of things we had been working on in that game, it’s difficult under a new coach, there are new ideas, new ways of doing things,” said captain Paul O’Connell.
“It takes a while to become second nature but after three four weeks we were hitting a good level against New Zealand, it’s a shame we didn’t close out the game like we should have but it gives us confidence.
“Scotland first up will be a very tough game, obviously we were beaten by them last time.”
This year’s RBS 6 Nations will also mark Brian O’Driscoll’s last for Ireland with the 35-year-old set to retire from the game at the end of the season.
“Brian is still going strong,” added O’Connell. “He is in good shape and as hungry as ever, he trained yesterday and is still driving the standards, he has a lot of respect across the whole tournament but particularly in our squad.”
Last year’s RBS 6 Nations witnessed Italy win two games for the first time since 2007 to finish fourth but they have been handed a daunting opening to the tournament this time, starting as they do with back-to-back away games in Wales and France.
“For us as a team this is a very difficult competition, we try every year to improve because the RBS 6 Nations is very hard,” said captain Sergio Parisse.
“Three matches away and only two in Rome mean of course it will be difficult. But we are confident and working to improve as a team, every match you want to show for yourself and the squad that you are a good team.”
Scotland finished third in 2013 and will again be coached by Scott Johnson, with incoming coach Vern Cotter due to take over in the summer.
Under Johnson they enjoyed back-to-back victories in last year’s tournament, beating Italy in round two and Ireland in round three.
Captain Kelly Brown said: “We have a very tough challenge first up, and then only a six day turnaround after that so no doubt it is a test, but that is the challenge for us.
“I think Scott and Vern have been speaking about things, making a lot of plans so I’m sure when Vern starts in the summer I think things will be very smooth.
“There is no doubt we need to work on scoring tries but I think it’s more than that, need to work on our game management. If we can improve that then the tries will come.”
France ended up bottom of the pile in 2013 after winning just one game, beating Scotland on the final weekend, and drawing with Ireland in round four.
Les Bleus will have to make do without inspirational captain Thierry Dusautoir for the 2014 RBS 6 Nations after he suffered a biceps injury but stand-in skipper Pascal Pape is confident they can cope.
“France v England is a mythical game for France, it’s a game that means a lot historically,” he said.
“Last year was not very good but we do expect 2014 to be great. Even with the defeats we learned a lot with a young group, they gained a lot of experience and drew lessons.
“We hope to bring a lot this year I’m convinced that 2014 will be a better year. Thierry is a very important member of the team so of course we will miss him and we wish him well, it’s hard for the young players because he has a lot of experience. But we have young players arriving on the scene, and we trust them.”
The launch also celebrated the start of the women’s RBS 6 Nations with Ireland looking to defend the crown they claimed in style last season by completing the Grand Slam.
Captain Fiona Coghlan said: “It has been a long time coming. It started with a tough one against Wales and things just kind of steamrolled from there.
“We always knew we were close enough – it was just that extra 20 minutes in a game, fitness and a couple of positions that we probably lacked.
“Everyone wants to hold that trophy at the end of the day and it’s going to be who can be consistent.
“You just never know form season-to-season. It’s your aim to go out and win every game and that’s what you want to do but there are obstacles in the way.”
RBS 6 Nations 2014 captains
From left: Ireland’s Paul O’Connell, Italy’s Sergio Parisse, Wales’ Sam Warburton, England’s Chris Robshaw, Scotland’s Kelly Brown, France’s Pascal Pape
Official 2014 RBS 6 Nations launch video clip
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoamLyUIoKQ[/youtube]