Jhe annual Guinness Six Nations launch, like the first daffodil, is one of the traditional harbingers of spring. The oldest annual rugby championship in the world rarely disappoints and provides instant color to the gray canvas of winter. This year, his imminent arrival is more welcome than ever, with the widespread return of full stadiums and traveling supporters already boosting the spirits of players, punters and publicans.

Was there an added thrill as the 2022 coaches and captains laid out their respective ambitions? It was hard to tell over the various video links, but there was absolute agreement on one point. Everyone involved is anticipating a cracking tournament, with high hopes that the chills and spills of last fall will be faithfully replicated when the fur starts flying Saturday week.

As Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend was quick to point out – “it makes a difference” – England will not step into a silent echo chamber in Edinburgh when they will head north. New Wales captain Dan Biggar felt the same – “hopefully the benefit of playing three games at home with a full crowd will be a huge plus” – although a decent performance also helps. Wales, contrary to many predictions, won last year’s title without a single mass choir or bouncy leek in sight.

The other universally recognized truth is that teams that start very often thrive. In this case, with Ireland and France both beating New Zealand in November, and Scotland and England also in promising autumn form, the two opening weekends will be particularly important, as the discovered the English when the Scots surprised them at Twickenham last year. “The first two weeks are crucial as to how the campaign will play out for you,” Biggar confirmed. “If you start off on the right foot, everything becomes much easier.”

As things stand, with France’s Covid problems appearing to fade, it is England who still have the most to resolve before the curtain goes up. Even before a fire near their hotel in Brighton on Tuesday night forced the whole squad to move to a nearby pub, injuries were already a problem. With Owen Farrell now out of the tournament, Jonny May facing knee surgery, Jonny Hill questionable for Scotland and Joe Marler still in isolation with Covid, Eddie Jones has a lot to do.

Footage of his side training on a cold, pebbly beach in Brighton and passing weights to each other in freezing seas was also a stark contrast to the hot-weather Portuguese camps of years past, although arguably better preparation for a cold wet day in Murrayfield. Townsend, however, is taking nothing for granted as Jones weighs his leadership, midfield and fullback five-pack options. “Whoever England team is, we know they will be strong,” said Townsend, suggesting the visitors would pose a more attacking threat with 10-year-old Marcus Smith. “If he is selected England will play differently. They are going to have to bring Marcus into the game and show his strengths so we have to deny that. You have to play close to your best to beat a team of the quality of the England.

Something similar, however, is true of France with Italian coach Kieran Crowley openly hailing them as the team to beat. “For me, France is the team of the moment in world rugby,” said the former All Black full-back. “I think they are the favorites for the next World Cup.” With the Azzuri heading for Paris on Sunday week, deliberate post-puffing of smoke is involved, but few people at this time would dispute his general assertion.

Fabien Galthié, still channeling his inner Roy Orbison with those black-rimmed tinted glasses, has had his players train at the Foreign Legion base near Marseille and expects his unavailable 14 to be back in the mix. here on Sunday. Italy, meanwhile, have not entirely given up hope of seeing Sergio Parisse play later in the Championship once he is fit again after a broken hand and a dose of Covid.

In some ways, however, no one approaches the annual game of Cluedo wearing a mouthguard more enthusiastically than Ireland’s revved-up green machine. After beating New Zealand, expectations are high enough and recent displays from the Irish provinces have further bolstered that optimism. Unlike England, they are going to soften in Portugal and Andy Farrell challenges his team to ‘push new limits’ and aim high. “It makes me laugh when coaches say they want to finish second or third,” Farrell said. “I don’t know anyone who doesn’t want to finish first.”

His captain Johnny Sexton also looks motivated for the opener against Wales when he and Biggar could set a collective all-players record for most talkative pair of captains in history. “Over the years they’ve been quick to say they’re not crazy about the Irish,” Sexton said. “They are different players when they play for Wales and they will be 100 per cent ready to play. They won the Championship last year, they were about to win another Grand Slam and this is a team with which to reckon.

Wales manager Wayne Pivac, however, is missing a senior squad through injury and is not inclined to wallow in the past or dwell on his reigning league status. . “It’s a good tag to have but that was last year,” he pointed out, suggesting his side might be “a bit undercooked” in terms of preparation. “The challenges probably aren’t much bigger…but we’d like to think we have some champion players.” Relief from a dark, Covid-strewn winter is almost here.