England v Wales live: Hosts look to spark Six Nations title charge in clash with rivals

For Ireland, meanwhile, it was a damaging night, revealing a few harsh truths about their decline.

How good were France on Thursday night? The defending champions got their campaign started in style by taking apart Ireland, cementing themselves as title favourites again.

Squad depth is going to become even more important in this Six Nations, you’d say, with the removal of the first rest week making it even faster and more furious than before.

Here are our picks for a few new faces to watch over the course of the Six Nations:

Wales flanker Alex Mann admitted he likes getting "under people's skin" ahead of his back-row battle with England at Allianz Stadium.

Mann found himself the centre of attention after being gouged by South Africa lock Eben Etzebeth during Wales' autumn campaign.

Etzebeth claimed his actions were a reaction to being struck by Mann and that the gouge was not intentional, and the Cardiff back-rower is relishing coming up against the likes of Guy Pepper, Sam Underhill, Tom Curry and Henry Pollock in today’s Guinness Six Nations opener.

"I quite like trying to get under people's skin and I'm sure people try to do it to me as well," said Mann.

"That stuff is just part of the game and I'm just looking forward to what's ahead.

"They're really good players, we know that, but I don't really think we put too much energy into that.

"It's all on us now and what we can do rather than what they're bringing. That's the exciting bit for us as a group."

Jamie George insists England must evolve in the wake of a triumphant 2025 or risk seeing their Six Nations title ambitions crumble.

Steve Borthwick’s team are viewed by bookmakers as second favourites behind France to be crowned champions, with the rivals colliding in the climax to the tournament on 14 March.

A run of 11 consecutive wins – dating back to the start of last year’s Six Nations – sees England enter their opener against Wales on Saturday week with a swagger, but George knows they can not afford to stand still.

“We’re in a good spot, there’s no hiding that,” said George, who last week announced he would retire after the 2027 World Cup.

“There’s a lot of confidence in the group and a lot of enjoyment about being in camp. That’s a good indicator that you will go on to play good rugby.

Steve Tandy wants to savour the "unbelievable experience" of winning at Allianz Stadium again as Wales bid to shock England in their Guinness Six Nations opener.

Wales are huge underdogs having not won a Six Nations game since March 2023, while Steve Borthwick's England have won 11 games in a row.

But Tandy has fond memories of Twickenham from his time as Scotland defence coach and being part of famous Six Nations victories in 2021 and 2023.

"Winning at Twickenham, at such an iconic stadium, is incredible," said Wales head coach Tandy.

"It's an unbelievable experience and the best thing is when you see what joy it brings to outside the dressing room as well.

"I can remember going back up (to Scotland) on the Monday, and Gregor (Townsend, head coach) had put messages up from people what it meant to the nation.

"The Six Nations as a whole is the biggest tournament in the world outside of the World Cup and we are fortunate to be a part of it.

"Going up to England I find it exciting. For our group I know intimidating and daunting are words which people will throw out which is understandable.

"But we have to be excited about how we can go and attack this game."

Technology could play a huge role in England’s Six Nations in a different way, too. Our guru Andrew Griffin went behind the scenes at their training camp in Girona to find out how.

England’s next generation have forged a new identity of late, matching confidence on the pitch with expression off it. Steve Borthwick is harnessing the natural personalities within his squad well, too:

And what about Wales’s chances? Clearly, Steve Tandy’s side are at an low ebb, but the ever diligent Luke Baker has gone in search of some positives.