Team-by-team guide to the 2015 Six Nations

Geoffrey Riddle's analysis of each of the squads for the 2015 Six Nations tournament, beginning on Friday when England play Wales.

Jonathan Sexton and Ireland won the 2014 Six Nations tournament. Peter Muhly / AFP

Ahead of the 2015 Six Nations northern hemisphere rugby showcase, Geoffrey Riddle breaks down each squad.

England

2014 season: England showed in four matches against New Zealand that when everything goes to plan they are a match for the best in the world. They did not beat the All Blacks, however, and although they signed off with an impressive win against Australia in November, the impression is that England are still a work in progress.

2015 chances: England have been runners-up in the Six Nations for the past three years, but have only lost three tournament matches in that time. Their opening fixture in Cardiff against Wales on Friday is make or break. Their chronic injury worries may have alleviated slightly by the time they travel to Dublin to meet Ireland on March 1.

The big question: England have a huge injury list, but this is a World Cup year and dealing with such setbacks is part of the modern squad-based game. Do England have the players to fill the breach? It is arguable that some of the stand-ins such as fly-half George Ford are stronger anyway.

Star player: How Ford performs at fly-half in the absence of Owen Farrell is crucial, and could have a huge say in how England tackle the World Cup in September. Farrell can also fill the inside-centre slot, whereas if Ford makes the No 10 jersey his own it would help cement who plays outside him at 12 and 13.

Point to prove: Danny Cipriani is box office. The fly-half has been ripping up the turf in the English Premiership this season, playing some of his best rugby for years. He has not played for England since 2008; will he scale the heights or flatter to deceive once more?

The National's verdict: England can reach for their excuses if they lose on Friday, but coping with the loss of 12 players should be within the compass of any leading rugby side in the modern era. Stuart Lancaster's squad need to win in Cardiff. Do so, and they can travel to Ireland on a tide of optimism. Lose, and the Championship is likely to once again evade them.

Key statistic: 51 – England have won more Six Nations matches than any other team.

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France

2014 season: There was no dishonour in losing to Wales and Ireland in last season's tournament, but getting beaten hollow by Australia on tour in the summer and capitulating to Argentina in November displayed a soft underbelly. Again.

2015 chances: France may have one of the easier assignments first up hosting Scotland on Saturday, but trips to Ireland on Valentine's Day and England on the final day of the tournament make things look very tough.

The big question: France are ranked a lowly seventh in the world, but French teams are flying in European competition so whether they can harness that confidence in a squad that lost more than it won last season will be a significant factor.

Star player: France have lacked a true fly-half that can control the tempo of a rugby match for years, and have relied too long on the scrum-half to beat the heart. In Camille Lopez, they have a player who survives on instinct, and is not scared to improvise. Ireland's No 10 Jonathan Sexton is a fan, perhaps you might be too by the end of the tournament.

Point to prove: Philippe Saint-Andre may have steadied the French vessel after Marc Lievremont's chaotic tenure but the brilliant club coach has yet to prove himself at the helm of Les Bleus. He has a frustratingly difficult job as his options are narrowed due to the influx of foreign players in the Top 14 domestic league, but he has talented players and France must do better.

The National's verdict: Inconsistent and intermittent, France's campaign is likely to be largely inconsequential. Last year France's strike-rate kicking at goal in the Six Nations was a measly 68 per cent. Raise the accuracy and they may close out more games, but France look destined for another season of mediocrity.

Key statistic: 10 - The number of tries France conceded in last season's tournament – only the second time in the Six Nations they have conceded more tries than they scored.

Ireland

2014 season: Ireland's 13-10 defeat to England at Twickenham was the only blot on an otherwise flawless campaign. Ireland rattled off nine wins in 2014, which included the prized scalps of Australia and South Africa.

2015 chances: Ireland host France and England at the Aviva Stadium, and Cardiff has been a rich source of success down the years. Barring a slip up this Saturday in Rome's magnificent Stadio Olimpico or in Edinburgh in the final round, Ireland look pencilled in for another title.

The big question: Can Ireland be as clinical as last season? In coach Joe Schmidt's first Six Nations season Ireland conceded the fewest penalties and turnovers. Schmidt has constructed a simple, but effective game plan. The element of surprise is gone, however.

Star player: Jonathan Sexton has been off games since he experienced his third concussion in eight months against Australia on November 22. He is due to return next week against France and Ireland need him to hit the ground running without the retired Brian O'Driscoll.

Point to prove: Mike Ross is not even considered good enough to play for Leinster in European competition, so quite why he is in the Ireland squad and clinging on to the No 3 jersey is a mystery. The 35-year-old prop replaced the evergreen John Hayes as the cornerstone to the Irish pack and Ross must show that Schmidt's faith in him is not misplaced.

The National's verdict: Three teams have successfully defended their title since Italy joined the Six Nations in 2000 – England, France and Wales. Ireland are the form team, they have a good draw, and they have the easiest start against Italy. They look the most likely to be lifting the new Six Nations Trophy on March 21.

Key statistic: 10 - Ten of Ireland's 16 tries in last season's tournament were scored in the second half and five of those were in the final 20 minutes.

Italy

2014 season: A single victory last season does not bode well for 2015. Italy's sole success was against Samoa in November, and still they rely far too heavily on Sergio Parisse, their totemic No 8.

2015 chances: Nil. Italy conceded 21 tries in last year's Six Nations, which is up there with the leakiest defences they have put out since they made Five Nations six in 2000. Head coach Jacques Brunel hardly seems enamoured with the job, and will not renew his contract when it expires in 2016.

The big question: Can Italy get anything out of this year's tournament? A new Six Nations trophy has been designed to finally acknowledge the country's participation in this tournament, but they drew a blank last season and may well make little impact again.

Star player: Sergio Parisse has been a regular for Italy in this section, but Michele Campagnaro could well usurp the captain in time. It is just over a year since the Treviso centre marked his debut against Wales with a brace of tries and his coruscating runs and natural talent shine through the gloom of Italy's squad.

Point to prove: Kelly Haimona is unlikely to be the last New Zealand-born player to turn out for Italy, but where he sits in the standings of Italian imports for them after just three caps is yet to be decided. Haimona, 28, made his debut in the autumn and looked useful against Samoa when he created a try and kicked 14 points to lead his adopted side to its only win in 2014. Haimona may not even be a natural fly-half, as he also plays fullback. We need to know more.

The National's verdict: For bringing the wondrous Stadio Olimpico to the Six Nations table alone the Italians deserve a place in the competition. A weekend in the Eternal City is something every rugby fan should experience and with Ireland, France and Wales all visiting Rome, it is likely only the traveling fans will be celebrating victory.

Key statistic: 17 – Italy conceded 21 tries in the Six Nations last season, 17 of which were by opposing backs.

Scotland

2014 season: Scotland were a turgid side in the Six Nations last season under Scott Johnson, but then found a renewed vigour when New Zealander Vern Cotter took the reins in June. Argentina and Tonga were dispatched in November in high-scoring games and in between they stole 16 points from New Zealand, their second-best effort this century.

2015 chances: Three home games against Wales, Italy and Ireland bodes well, and Saturday's trip to Stade de France is easier than in the past. If Scotland can be more clinical at the breakdown, and cleaner at lineouts, they will build a platform that could result in more than the two points they picked up last year.

The big question: Scotland scored just four tries in last season's tournament – one fewer than they scored against both Argentina and Tonga in November. Scotland have opened up under coach Vern Cotter, but it remains to be seen whether they can continue to play expansively in the heat of the Six Nations.

Star player: If there could ever be a production line for Scottish second-row forwards then the mould would certainly be Richie Gray. The blond, 6ft 10ins lock provides a rallying point for the Scottish pack, and alongside his brother, Jonny, they provide the engine room to Scotland's improving juggernaut.

Point to prove: Assistant coach Matt Taylor orchestrated the defence for Scotland when they leaked 14 tries in the tournament last year. Scotland started their November series by letting Argentina put 31 points past them, but then tightened up to restrict New Zealand to two tries and Tonga tryless. France look more expansive this time around, and first up in Paris on Saturday will be a good run-out for Scotland's defensive systems.

The National's verdict: Scotland regularly promise much in the autumn, to then wither in the spring. Under Vern Cotter Scotland appear to be scoring tries and are defending reasonably well. France are there for the taking on Saturday, but in Paris it will not be easy. Lose that, and Wales next week will look an impossible task.

Key statistic: 47 – Scotland scored just 47 points in the tournament last season, their lowest ever since Italy joined in 2000.

Wales

2014 season: Last year Wales performed in fits and starts, winning five matches but losing six. There were some highs, which included the demolition of Scotland and the victory over South Africa in the autumn, but also lows as the Springboks got away at 31-30, as did Australia, who prevailed 33-28 at the Millennium Stadium in November.

2015 chances: Wales have a settled squad and few injuries. As an illustration of this, coach Warren Gatland sprung a surprise on Monday by naming his side to face England 48 hours early.

The big question: Wales's blitz defence leaves them open to precision tactical kicking. Ireland's Conor Murray has revealed that coach Joe Schmidt has been drilling his backs on box kicks and Johnny Sexton's kicking from hand is nonpareil. It remains to be seen whether any of the other teams can exploit this weakness.

Star player: Jamie Roberts is the lynchpin to the exciting, yet dangerous, blitz defence concocted by Shaun Edwards, the long-standing defence coach. Roberts' abilities going forward are well known but he leads the defensive line. Roberts is in good form for Racing Metro, his club, and has not been overplayed in Paris. A top tournament is expected.

Point to prove: Legendary retired prop Adam Jones has given Samson Lee his blessing, but at just 22 Lee would not be the first rising star of the front-row to be ground into submission in the Six Nations. Jones believes that Lee is a tighthead prop of a generation, but with only nine caps he is yet to prove it.

The National's verdict: Wales have the fixture format that resulted in their fourth Six Nations Championship two seasons ago, and they face an England side on Friday night that has been ravaged by injury. Fixtures against Scotland and France away have the potential to be problematic but Ireland at home could well be a title decider on March 14.

Key statistic: 85 – The kicking strike-rate of Leigh Halfpenny, Wales' goalkicker in the Six Nations last season. Of the leading kickers in the tournament he was the most accurate.

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