The Tri-Nations, who needs it? With twice the variety, at last the oldest tournament in the world game is decorated by the world champions. Always up there to be shot at, England will carry that tag even more for the next four years, particularly this year.

Lest we forget, it was the Six Nations that helped mould England into the relatively humble and hungry world champions they would become after annual defeats to Wales, Scotland, France and Ireland in turn.

And from overcooking the Test goose, the World Cup has merely heightened the profile of this Six Nations. Even Rome's Stadio Flaminio has been a sell-out for weeks in advance of England's game there tomorrow against the Azzurri.

Mindful of the contrived Anglo-French finale, as England's five-year search for their holy grail underlined, the Big Two are as likely to slip up against someone else as they are against each other. It was impossible to imagine England winning the World Cup without the remarkable Martin Johnson, player of the tournament and player of the final, and the prodigious Jonny Wilkinson, easily the game's biggest match-winner, so equally they cannot be the same force over the next seven weeks without them.

Neil Back, whom Phil Larder readily concedes has been the linchpin of England's famed defence, has also been unceremoniously and ruthlessly omitted. Clive Woodward also couldn't resist the temptation to tinker with Jason Robinson, who, like all their frontliners, has looked out of touch.

Although they can take the hits more than anyone, and Lawrence Dallaglio is an inspiring leader, a tougher opener than people anticipate in Rome will be a foretaste of what's to come. Even if they get to Paris unbeaten, that will only motivate a vengeful France further.

As second favourites, France look better value, as their frontliners don't look as weary. The key, in many respects, to a good Six Nations is momentum, as Eddie O'Sullivan is wont to say, and France's itinerary is arguably perfect for them, back-to-back home games against Ireland and Italy getting them over their customary rustiness in readiness for trips to Wales and France, before les Rosbifs come calling.

After their stirring, give-it-a-lash tilts at the All Blacks and England in the World Cup, which Wales will turn up now? If it's the free-running Welsh of the quarter-finals, then usurping Ireland is, at the least, plausible. But one can't forget the stodginess of their earlier displays, nor the concession of seven tries to the All Blacks.

The impending departure of Steve Hansen, compared to the four-year contracts enjoyed by all the other head coaches bar Italy's John Kirwan, does not on the face of it seem ideal, and how did they end up with only two Llanelli players in today's squad of 22?

The Matt Williams effect makes Scotland no less interesting, especially hereabouts.

In Scottish and Welsh papers this week Brian O'Driscoll was surely not alone in forecasting that the ex-Leinster coach would immediately bring more shape and structure to Scotland's game, and will make them a force in two or three years' time.

But, given that the remodelled and inexperienced Scottish back line are probably that far away from a top-notch performance, will he be granted that time?

With only the Big Two at home, and a daunting six-week tour to Australia in the summer, patience may well be required. But for the time being he should at least make them better-organised defensively.

The Italians, after their scandalously unfair schedule of four games in 14 days at the World Cup, must begin by playing England and France six days apart, prompting Kirwan to quip: "We've actually applied to the Six Nations to see if we can play everyone on the opening weekend."

The visit of Scotland again looks a targetable win, whatever about trips to Ireland and Wales. The Azzurri have a fiercely physical pack but overcommit to rucks and recycle ad nauseam while struggling for tries.

And what of Ireland? Eddie O'Sullivan yesterday spoke of continuing to play a ball-in-hand game, yet statistics from the World Cup showed Ireland kicked the ball more (36 times per match) than any of the other 19 participating countries.

This, he added, came with the rider that Ireland had their best players available, and they start the campaign without their three paciest and most potent backs.

Furthermore, Niall O'Donovan has done a fantastic job with the lineout but it looks a big ask for a former number eight to repeat the trick with the scrum now that Tony D'Arcy has been let go and Roly Meates remains out of the loop.

With two teams, Munster and Leinster, carrying the can Ireland might also be wearier than most.

If there was a season for Ireland to miss out on the top three for the first time in four campaigns, then the first year in O'Sullivan's new four-year deal is probably the one to do it in.

That said, Ireland have the all-round experience to fill the Keith Wood void with a more collective leadership, and with the pack's competitiveness and the return of O'Driscoll (and perhaps Geordan Murphy) three home wins still seem feasible.

Forecast: 1st France, 2nd England, 3rd Ireland, 4th Wales, 5th Italy, 6th Scotland.

Betting (Paddy Powers): 8/13 England, 11/8 France, 20/1 Ireland, 25/1 Wales, 66/1 Scotland, 2,500/1 Italy.