Long black cloud hangs over championship

A long black cloud hovers over the Six Nations championship opening this weekend - the penultimate tournament before the 2007 World Cup.

The dazzling performances of the New Zealand All Blacks during 2005 showed European coaches what is required if a northern hemisphere side are to lift the trophy for a second time in November 2007.

France coach Bernard Laporte, whose side are overwhelming favourites to win the 2006 tournament, has made it clear where his priorities lie.

"My aim is to have an almost definite 40-man squad by the autumn and I do not see why we are the favourites to win the championship," he told reporters.

The French start their championship against Scotland at Murrayfield tomorrow, the day after grand slam champions Wales play world champions England at Twickenham.

Ireland host Italy in the opening game of the tournament today.

France utility back Thomas Castaignede, who will miss tomorrow's match through injury, said the 2007 World Cup hosts were the only country with the strength in depth to match New Zealand.

"Bernard Laporte is now at the point where he could just about emulate (New Zealand coach) Graham Henry and the All Blacks and change his entire side from one match to another," he said.

"No other northern hemisphere coach is selecting from a position of such strength."

England gave the All Blacks a torrid time at Twickenham with a vintage forward display but looked short of ideas in the backs.

They were caught cold in Cardiff by Wales last year and coach Andy Robinson is taking no chances for today's return match at Twickenham.

Robinson has resisted calls to move Josh Lewsey from fullback to the centres and the creative James Simpson-Daniel has not been selected.

"The important thing for me is that England beat Wales at the weekend and we develop from there," he said.

Former England captain Nigel Melville is one of several pundits urging Robinson to concentrate first on beating the Welsh then experiment in subsequent matches against Italy and Scotland.

"He has to transform a side that would possibly win a World Cup quarter-final into an outfit ready to defend the title," Melville said.

"He can't experiment recklessly, it might cost him his job. But he can't sit back."