Six Nations 2015: Power Ranking Each Squad's Captain
Some men were born to be leaders; others have leadership thrust upon them. This year's lineup of Six Nations captains brings together a mixture of those both destined and selected, who are in varying degrees of form going into the competition.
We've taken a look at each of the six armband-wearers, examining their impact on both the club and international stage of late to decide who makes for the most fearsome character.
Irrespective of what their nation's targets and chances may be in the 2015 tournament, the six candidates have been ranked in terms of talent and their ability to lead but also, more importantly, their current playing power.
The role each player performs for their respective team is of course pivotal to their ranking; if the side would get along just as well with another player in their place, their chances of figuring highly may well suffer.
Some leaders, though, are considered absolutely crucial by their coaches. That alone isn't enough to clinch top spot, but a mixture of all those factors mentioned makes for a figure worth following into battle.
6. Greig Laidlaw
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In light of Grant Gilchrist's broken arm ruling him out of last year's November series and beyond, Greig Laidlaw filled in as an acceptable second choice for Vern Cotter.
Of all the Six Nations leaders, Laidlaw has the least experience in international captaincy by some margin, but he did previously hold the role at Edinburgh before moving to Gloucester in 2014.
Laidlaw is also the only captain in the tournament who doesn't play in the pack, perhaps an indication that he's merely the best option remaining than the best option outright.
That isn't to belittle his influence on the team. Laidlaw's work as one of the competition's more consistent scrum-halves regularly sees his displays have great bearing on how the back line performs, not to mention his kicking duties are of significance.
One can't knock Laidlaw's aspirations. Speaking to BBC Scotland, the 29-year-old this week stated:
"Obviously we want to win as many games as we can and we want to win the championship, just like every other team. We're under no illusions, it's going to be tough, especially the first game away in Paris.
Scotland haven't won out there since '99 but we've got to go out there, we've got to play for each other, play for the jersey and try and stick it to the French. In the past, we've probably fell a little bit short. Desperately, we want to turn those fortunes round.
"
However, when compared with the seasoned counterparts lining up against him, Laidlaw stands out as a minnow—no half-back pun intended—on both the club and international spectrum.
5. Thierry Dusautoir, France
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Philippe Saint-Andre's decision not to pick Toulouse flanker Yannick Nyanga as part of his 24-man squad for the Six Nations opener against Scotland has left some scratching their heads.
It's a call that places new pressure on his club and international captain, Thierry Dusautoir, to lead this France team, especially when some may well argue that Nyanga is the stronger player on current form.
Now 33 years of age, Dusautoir isn't the same player he once was, but Toulouse saw enough potential in their star to recently give him a new two-year contract extension, ruling out any possibility of a switch overseas.
The veteran back-rower remains a terrifically versatile talent, but it's also true that France have been disappointing under his stewardship and lost six of their 11 matches in 2014.
Of course, one can't attribute blame solely to the man wearing the armband, but like Saint-Andre, Dusautoir has struggled to inspire Les Bleus in some key fixtures.
Toulouse have had bright spells of late with Dusautoir featuring prominently, particularly in Europe, but there have also been gloomy patches in domestic competition in which he's been as accountable for disappointment as any.
4. Chris Robshaw
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As a blindside plying his trade in the No. 7 jersey internationally, Chris Robshaw has done a stand-up job as England captain in recent years, but he still has his critics.
There are those who see the Harlequins figurehead as lacking in that special something captains are made of, but others debate that his dogged work in defence is as good as any in the Six Nations.
Per Opta's Russ Petty, Robshaw made an astonishing 68 tackles in last year's Six Nations—an average of 16 per game—showing just how committed he is in leading from the front as far as his strengths are concerned.
However, there's that other side to being a captain—with the charismatic, testosterone-inspiring mettle something only a select few boast. One might be correct in asserting that Robshaw isn't one of those.
As far as laying one's body on the line goes, Robshaw is as loyal as they come, but even his best may not be good enough to steer England to glory and is, in part, reason why this side often lacks the glamour of years gone by.
Just like the player himself, England's record under Robshaw's stewardship is reliable if not fantastic, and the 2015 Rugby World Cup hosts may well desire more.
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3. Sam Warburton
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Like the aforementioned Robshaw, Sam Warburton is a player whose place as captain of his national team may not be agreed upon by the nation's fans, who might view the likes of Alun Wyn Jones or Jamie Roberts as superior choices.
However, on the occasion of his 50th cap, Friday promises to be another occasion when a fired-up Warburton will lead with both tactical and physical nous.
The Wales back row—Dan Lydiate and Taulupe Faletau partner Warburton at 6 and 8 respectively—is arguably the best in the Six Nations. Friday's starting openside and blindside stars are renowned as terrier-like figures at the breakdown, but Warburton also chooses his battles well.
At the beginning of last year, he showed a pioneer's mentality by becoming the first player to sign a dual contract with the Welsh Rugby Union and Cardiff Blues, a mark of his intention to lead his nation through a foggy patch.
Physically, Warburton is a specimen possessing a stamina that permits him to go hell for leather for 80 minutes, but his conservation of energy is what makes him such an efficient asset.
Constantly on the front lines when required, the 2013 British and Irish Lions tour captain maintains a consistency to which others can only aspire.
2. Sergio Parisse
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If there were an award for the player who bears the heaviest burden in each Six Nations tournament and still manages to come out sparkling, Sergio Parisse would have claimed it for at least the past five years.
Without meaning the Azzurri any disrespect, Italy are the worst team in the northern hemisphere competition and are once again staring into the chasm of potentially finishing bottom of this year's instalment.
No other team in the competition's history has claimed the Wooden Spoon more than Jacques Brunel's.
However, year after year, Stade Francais titan Parisse impresses as a behemoth of genuine class, leading the European minnows in a way that most players—and even captains—simply can't.
At 31 years of age, the 108-cap veteran undoubtedly still has a few talismanic tournaments left in him. No matter how dire Italy's prospects appear, Parisse always seems to do his bit—and what more can be asked of any man?
Not only that, but when players see him giving so much, it inspires below-average followers to attempt the same. Italy may not have as much talent as their Six Nations peers, but captain Parisse brings other useful attributes out of his cadets on an annual basis.
1. Paul O'Connell
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Ireland have never needed Paul O'Connell's totemic presence as much as they do in the 2015 Six Nations.
Having lost legendary veterans of the green jersey for the last two years in succession—Ronan O'Gara in 2013 followed by Brian O'Driscoll's retirement last year—he now sits as the surviving member of the old guard.
Another British and Irish Lions captain to be included in our rankings, O'Connell is as well-travelled as they come, boasting titles in the departed Heineken Cup and Celtic division.
Of course, he also comes into this year's tournament as defending champion, and if there were any man capable of keeping the feet of Joe Schmidt's squad firmly on the ground, it's him.
The no-nonsense, Limerick-born lock shows that humility by warning his side that Saturday opponents, Italy, will be no pushovers, per James Candy of the Belfast Telegraph:
"We lost two years ago in Rome, which was disappointing. We were going through a period where we weren't playing well and that was the same in Rome four years ago where we kicked a late drop goal to win the game.
Italy are very strong in Rome and they tend to be very strong in their opening game of the Championship. A lot of boys who were involved in that game were bitterly disappointed.
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O'Connell is of the age that most players would begin to show their cracks, but through an incredibly professional fitness regime, the 35-year-old has kept a standard any player in their prime would dream of.
The rugby community saw as much when O'Connell guided Ireland to an unbeaten autumn series, including wins over South Africa and Australia, to establish the team as the in-form outfit of the northern hemisphere.
Regularly numbering tackles in the double digits and always keen to enforce his frame with ball in hand, the 96-cap bastion will proceed into the 2015 contest just as he had every other, and that's a scary thought for those in his path.
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