A look at the prospects of the competing nations in this year's championship:

ENGLAND

Ten defeats out of 19 since winning the World Cup, five defeats out of their last 10 in the Six Nations, England returned to basics of sorts in pulverising the Wallaby scrum and taking on the All Blacks pack in the autumn, while also cramping all but Daniel Carter's style. Look mean and hungry, if not pretty or well prepared after latest rift with clubs.

Key man - Josh Lewsey. The only ever-present since the World Cup and regularly pangs, publicly, for a more expansive style, his intrusions into the line, pace and finishing could be the best means of achieving it. Victim of his own versatility on the Lions tour, could yet find himself at centre, where he's been playing for Wasps.

Prospects - They'll be big, strong and powerful, they'll have a good lineout, a rumbling maul and a good scrum, they'll smash a fair few opponents in contact, and they might well run up the biggest score of the championship somewhere along the way, but will they have the creative spark, especially in midfield, to win in Paris? Unlikely. Will they outmuscle Wales and Ireland in Twickers? Probably. Perhaps.

Five-year formguide - 1st, 2nd, 1st, 3rd, 4th.

Odds - Championship: 15/8. Grand Slam: 7/2.

Triple Crown: 1/2.

Forecast: Second.

FRANCE

Found their rhythm midway through last season's championship with an infusion of new blood, summered well and autumned even better, they arrive with a spring in their step. Drawn almost exclusively from their own big three, all their frontliners appear to be in prime form, the likes of Jean-Baptiste Elissalde and Frederic Michalak are more mature and they have power, pace and flair.

Key man - Yannick Jauzion. Even more influential than the mercurial Michalak, Jauzion is in the form of his life and is the Daddy, or Big Brother, of a back line featuring four fellow Toulouse players. When in doubt, they give it to Jauzion. He makes the plays, the breaks, offloads or passes, to open up defences.

Prospects - Crunch game could be the opener. Murrayfield used to be a graveyard, the Scots will be primed big time, and Les Bleus traditionally start slowly; hardly surprising when you think of the club demands placed on their leading players. But if they get through Sunday, they have three home games in a row to leave them with a tilt at a Slam in Cardiff.

Five-year formguide - 5th, 1st, 3rd, 1st, 2nd.

Odds - Championship: 4/5. Grand Slam 6/4.

Forecast - First.

IRELAND

In an anti-climactic campaign last year, a missed opportunity in the summer and a dismal autumn, Ireland appeared increasingly predictable, over-structured and unenthusiastic in their rugby, but the return to fitness and form of Brian O'Driscoll and Paul O'Connell in spearheading Leinster and Munster's European Cup qualification has rejuvenated spirits.

Key man - Brian O'Driscoll. The effect of his return and cathartic return to form against Bath cannot be quantified. He is easily the most talismanic, galvanising figure in the squad, not only because of his brilliance, but because he seems to have more licence from the coach than anyone to play what he sees.

Prospects - Probably ideal start at home to the Azzurri, with which they can go to Paris without too much pressure on their shoulders. Pivotal game at home to injury-ravaged Wales will in large part depend on confidence of both teams, but should travel to England with at least a Triple Crown in the offing.

Five-year formguide - 2nd, 3rd, 2nd, 2nd, 3rd.

Odds - Championship: 9/1. Grand Slam: 25/1.

Triple Crown: 16/1.

Forecast - Third.

ITALY

A change of coach - with the more understated Pierre Berbizier replacing the highly-vocal John Kirwan - is unlikely to see a seismic change in style from their mauling, strong scrummaging, close-in game, though Berbizier has shifted some of the balance towards the backs. A 39-22 home defeat to Argentina perhaps put their summer win over the Pumas into perspective - although that 30-29 win in Cordoba is one of the Azzurri's stand-out wins of all time.

Key man - Ramiro Pez. Outhalf has been a problematic position since the talismanic Diego Dominguez was on the wane. The latter's preferred successor, also Argentinian born, was temperamentally and defensively flaky, in his first stint, but plucked from obscurity while holidaying in Cordoba returned a rejuvenated, more confident figure.

Prospects - Traditionally start well, but England are their only home tie in first four rounds before most winnable game against the Scots on the final weekend, whom they have beaten on three of their past four treks to Rome. They possibly have less resources and belief to withstand the defeats en route.

Five-year formguide - 6th, 6th, 5th, 5th, 6th.

Odds - Championship: 1,000/1.

Grand Slam: 1,000/1.

Forecast - Sixth.

SCOTLAND

Blaming the outsider Matt Williams for all their ills, the Scots have regrouped under the more benign Frank Hadden, giving the districts their heads and seen improved performances in the Celtic League. Not nearly as decimated by injuries as they were a year ago, and buoyed by gutsy showing against the All Blacks, nonetheless they were beaten by Argentina and barely scraped past Samoa in the autumn. And, ironically, the flaky, non-tackling Aussie-born Dan Parks - most closely identified with Williams - has been retained.

Key man - Jason White. Unluckiest Scot not to make initial Irish and British Lions' cut, White has now assumed the captaincy as well as providing the ultra physical presence, big hits and ball carrying which often inspire a team. More than anybody in a strong back five, if he gets rumbling so too might Scotland.

Prospects - Will be fired-up and will need a big performance against France tomorrow afternoon to provide momentum, but their itinerary (England are the only other visitors to Murrayfield) suggests they might have to wait until Rome on the final day for their only win.

Five-year formguide - 3rd, 4th, 4th, 6th, 5th.

Odds - Championship: 50/1. Grand Slam: 300/1. Triple Crown: 40/1.

Forecast - Fifth.

WALES

Ravaged by injury - Ceri Sweeney became Mike Ruddock's 14th casualty of the season last week - the reigning Grand Slam champions are effectively missing a third or more of their first-choice team. Yet, they have vowed to continue playing "sexy rugby" and rebounded from autumnal thrashing by All Blacks to ruffle Boks and beat Australia. Unsurprisingly, Wales passed the ball at a higher rate than anyone else in last season's championship, notably so amongst their forwards. They scored more tries from their own half than England, Ireland and France combined. And they also scored more tries from opponents' handling errors and kicks than the other five combined.

Key man - Dwayne Peel. Perhaps the most complete scrumhalf in Europe. Sorely missed in the autumn, Peel looked back to his best for Llanelli two weeks ago against Toulouse. His quick taps, snipes and link play ignited much of Wales' best rugby last year.

Prospects - If they repeat the Slam it really will be one to tell the grandkids about. Straight to Twickenham where they haven't won since '88 and have conceded 187 points on their last four visits. Must travel to Dublin, while hosting France in the final tie. Three wins would be a decent return, but, then again, most of us said that a year ago. . .

Five-year formguide - 4th, 5th, 6th, 4th, 1st.

Odds - Championship: 8/1. Grand Slam: 40/1.

Triple Crown: 10/1.

Forecast - Fourth.