You have got a new coaching team in Wales, a lot of change in England with the old guard retiring after the World Cup and new players coming in, and also a complete revamp in France - they have picked some players that even Philippe Saint-Andre has not heard of.

When you think that France and England are the two sides that you usually look to lead these tournaments and Ireland have come back from a very disappointing World Cup campaign, while Italy have a new coach - so Scotland are the only ones with any continuity - which is really quite unusual for them.

I think it is a brave move from Marc Lievremont - he is obviously prepared to take on the women of France by leaving out Sebastien Chabal as he is such an icon and celebrity.

They have such strength in depth in their playing resources that you discount them at you peril - I would be very surprised if they win every game this year. I think whoever wins the championship will lose a game.

I thought Ireland were probably the most disappointing side at World Cup. Although they were in a difficult group, they had the potential to go through to the quarter-finals and even further than that.

If you were going to give me a hundred quid I would probably put it on England - they have good strength in depth with players coming through but it depends on who they pick in the play-making roles. I would expect them to be in the top two.

Italy ran Scotland very close during the pool game in the World Cup but they will miss Marco Bortolami, perhaps it is a little bit early for Nick Mallett to stamp his authority but if he can find a scrum-half and fly-half to shape games they will be competitive.

Scotland met their expectations in the World Cup but I think some people were a bit disappointed that they did not set them higher because they could easily have met them. Scots never get too excited about things but I am cautiously optimistic.