Gladiators- The 2025 Guinness Six Nations

They gathered in Rome last Tuesday for the official launch of the 2025 Guinness Six Nations, and as the captains and coaches gathered in the Colosseum for the official photoshoot, the setting could not have been more appropriate.

The gladiatorial nature of rugby these days is given the thumbs up or the thumbs down depending on how you like to see the game played, but there is no doubting the size and strength of the athletes on show over the next few months, as winter turns to spring with the backdrop of this wonderful tournament to entertain and excite us.

It is twenty-five years since five became six, and Italy joined the fun to create a Six Nations tournament, so it was appropriate that the Azzuri were the hosts of a launch that featured opera singers and a catwalk. La dolce vita could not have been more evident.

So what will this year’s tournament bring ? For the 2019 winners Wales, they hope and pray for a win, a win of any kind, against any team, any way, and any how, an extremely limited ambition, but one which emphasises the state of the game in my home country.

Italy, who once had a hold on the single win desire, have moved on, their aspirations are now much greater, and they are looking to compete with greater optimism that is justifiable after some of their performances over the last two seasons.

Reigning champions Ireland are aiming for a third title in a row something that has never been achieved in Six Nations history.

The match in Dublin against France on 8 March already has the makings of a championship showdown.

For Scotland and their golden generation, is this the year it all comes together ? Losing Captain Sione Tuipoloti for the entire tournament is a huge loss, but any team that has Finn Russell pulling the strings is always in with a shout.

England have such depth and talent it seems incredible witnessing the lack of success they have achieved, but if they can put together for eighty minutes the cameos they performed against the All Blacks and the Springboks in the Autumn, who knows what they could achieve.

They open their campaign against Ireland in Dublin, with plenty of injury concerns, as tough a start as you could possibly imagine.

And finally France, they are a joy to watch, and with Antoine Dupont back as scrum half and Captain it would be no surprise if they were to go all the way. They have to go to Twickeham and Dublin, but a squad filled with Stade Toulousain and Union Bordeaux Bégles players can surely negotiate those tricky hurdles.

So, let the games begin. Whether you are watching from the stadium, the pub, the rugby club or the sofa, I hope your Six Nations is filled with moments that last a lifetime, and may the memories of past encounters with friends and family, many of whom are no longer with us, light up those very special dark winter weekends.