It's that time of year again.

Since the Olympic and Paralympic Games concluded last summer, we've been somewhat starved of world-class sport. But the Six Nations is back and this year it's a particularly difficult tournament to predict.

Standard procedure in the build-up to sporting occasions like this is to select one obvious candidate to become champion and watch the action unfold. However, it's not that simple this time round.

Firstly, last year's Grand Slam Champions Wales stormed through the Six Nations of 2012 following a fine Rugby World Cup run. But a misfiring squad turned up for the summer and autumn internationals and they've slipped to the third tier of the international rankings and are lingering in rather gloomy waters as the 2013 Six Nations approaches. However, as long as their preparations have been intense and they have the right mindset they could be potential champions again.

Players to watch: Toby Faletau will be pushing for a place on the Lions tour and youngsters George North and Alex Cuthbert will be hoping to prove they are the real deal. Prediction: 2nd place



England are still somewhat of an enigma. They dismantled the All Blacks to round off a relatively impressive autumn series but they didn't make much of an impression in the summer. The 12-time Grand Slam champions were runners up last year and are capable of winning but should, at least, be in the top two.

Players to watch: Joe Launchbury and Billy Twelvetrees are two youngsters who've broken into this year's squad and Tom Wood, who has missed out on a lot of international action through injury, will be one to keep an eye on. Prediction: Champions



Scotland, well, aren't in a good place. They've had a terrible time recently and after collecting the Wooden Spoon last year, their new coaching team will be looking for improvement. Scott Johnson, Scotland's interim head coach, will be joined by forwards coach and popular TV analyst Dean Ryan for this year's Six Nations campaign.

Players to watch: Tim Visser recorded two tries against New Zealand in the autumn and the try-scoring-machine should be on fire during the Six Nations. Prediction: 5th place

A ball of unpredictability, Italy will no doubt offer some surprises. Despite the odds of them winning the Grand Slam being at 1000-1 they are a team who could pull off a big upset on their day. However, their backs have always lacked the flair you would expect from a diverse rugby nation like Italy and the forwards have always been relied on to perform but the back line is a necessity to offer the pack a reward for their efforts.

Players to watch: Francesco Minto, a powerful back rower, made his debut in November against New Zealand and adds power to the pack. Prediction: Wooden Spoon

Ireland have always been criticised for their lack of creativity and confidence in their selection of younger players but breakthrough performances in the past year from Simon Zebo and Craig Gilroy offer some reasons to be cheery. Declan Kidney's men in green have only won two Grand Slams in Six Nations history and often lack some consistency.

Players to watch: Simon Zebo is a promising young winger from Munster and should be shredding European touch lines for the duration of the tournament. Prediction: 4th place



Another unpredictable team from the continent is France. Having come second in the World Cup of 2011 and after a strong run of wins in the autumn you'd expected France to be the outright favourites but you never know what to expect from Philippe Saint-Andre's men. Disappointments such as a loss to Italy in last year's tournament are what could hold them back but second or third place is a likely finish.

Players to watch: Frederic Michalak was resurrected as France's first choice fly-half recently and he will have to perform upon returning to his former role. Prediction: 3rd place



Final table prediction:
1. England
2. Wales
3. France
4. Ireland
5. Scotland
6. Italy

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