5 Bold Predictions for 2016 RBS 6 Nations

Just over a fortnight remains until Europe's big guns contend for continental supremacy once again, and the Six Nations brings international rugby back into the spotlight.

This year's tournament could well prove to be the most open yet as France and England enter the fray with new head coaches Guy Noves and Eddie Jones, respectively, while reigning champion Ireland are a weakened outfit.

After four Southern-Hemisphere teams made up the 2015 Rugby World Cup semi-finals, this is a much-needed opportunity for Europe's bastions to showcase their talent, but no clear path is apparent for any one side.

We've taken a crack at determining a host of bold predictions for this year's Six Nations, with an emphasis placed on specific landmarks we could well see in the two months to come.

1. Ireland Fall Way Short in Hat-Trick Pursuit

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Ireland coach Joe Schmidt made history last year after guiding his team to successive Six Nations titles for the first time in their history, but that's where the run is likely to end.

This will be the team's first year coping without ex-captain Paul O'Connell, and the team seems too reliant on a select few senior stars at present who won't be able to make up for the shortcomings in certain positions.

"Transition" is a word that's been heard frequently around the Ireland team of late, but it's true now more than ever that Schmidt is dealing with a changing of the guard on a big scale.

Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose will undoubtedly be the centre partnership of the future. Now may be too soon for the pairing to take on some of Europe's finest, but the question is whether Schmidt has a choice given the injuries he's coping with.

The Irish provinces have been woeful in the Champions Cup, and although they boast four teams in the Pro12's top six, superstar displays have been few and far between.

Ireland's tournament is bookended by difficult home ties against Wales and Scotland, and it's not beyond reasoning to think the home clash against Italy may be the only game Ireland will win.

2. Scotland Notch Three Wins for First Time Ever

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There's an undeniable allure developing around Scotland since Vern Cotter took over as head coach, and it would be folly to rule his side out as potential title contenders in this year's European melee.

Many will remember that 35-34 quarter-final defeat to Australia at last year's World Cup as a crystallisation for the team, the moment at which it realised it can indeed compete with the world's finest once again.

The major benefit for Cotter's team above the likes of England, France and even the jumbled Ireland is familiarity. A squad dominated by faces from Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh did well at the World Cup, and that cohesion will likely serve them well again.

In particular, the centres look to be a foundation of a team that could grow for years to come, and the likes of Mark Bennett, 22, Matt Scott, 25, and Duncan Taylor, 26, could be capable of shocking the "bigger" teams, according to Rugby World's Charlie Morgan.

The first two weeks of their Six Nations campaign will be the toughest, hosting Jones' England before travelling to Wales. However, a Week 3 trip to Italy and a home outing against Noves' Bleus in Week 4 will both be seen as winnable.

Scotland have another upset in their locker, and it may come in their Week 5 visit to the Aviva Stadium, giving the team three Six Nations victories for the first time ever and a first third-place finish since 2013.

3. Jack Nowell to Finish Top Try-Scorer

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Perhaps the boldest prediction given Jones' England XV is still far from settled at present, we've picked Exeter Chiefs upstart Jack Nowell as the man to finish atop the try-scoring pile come tournament's end.

Of all the back positions, England's centres once again look likely to change the most ahead of the Six Nations, but players like Elliot Daly and Sam Hill each bring something from which the wings can benefit.

What's more, Nowell's chances of starting out wide look to be boosted by the fact Saracens' Chris Ashton could well miss the tournament for an eye-gouging incident with Ulster's Luke Marshall, per BBC Sport.

Nowell has been in fine form at Sandy Park this season, and although he's still just 22, Jones would be wise to give the youngster the playing time predecessor Stuart Lancaster seemed so reluctant to.

England have finished as the highest point-scorers at each of the last two Six Nations tournaments, and Nowell could light up their back line once again if they can find their feet.

4. Stade De France Replicates 2015 Twickenham Thriller

One of the highlights of last year's Six Nations was without a doubt the 90-point war between England and France in Week 5 of the competition, where the Twickenham hosts emerged with a 55-35 win.

It wasn't enough to bring them the crown, but the sight of seeing two teams so desperate to finish on a high could well be replicated in Paris as we see precisely the same Week 5 fixture list in 2016, only reversed.

The Red Rose will travel to the Stade de France this time around, but the setting could very well be the same, with Wales perhaps looking to seal their title at home to Italy, or Ireland still in with a shout as they host Scotland.

Whatever the specifics, we're betting on another high-scoring affair when white and blue collide in London come March 19, with a 70-point marker laid down as the figure to beat, and England coming out triumphant once more.

5. Wales Crowned 2016 Champions

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England and Scotland look to be the most likely contenders for this year's championship, and perhaps even a lurking effort from Noves' France could arise, but coach Warren Gatland's Wales will be named best of the bunch.

If the Welsh can strip away a victory from Ireland in Week 1 of the competition, the trophy is theirs to lose, and a Grand Slam could even be considered were it not for a nasty-looking trip to Twickenham in Week 4.

That's not to say a win in London is beyond Gatland's men, though. On the contrary, their 28-25 win over the Red Rose in Pool A of the World Cup showed that particular feat is not beyond their ability.

There are injuries hurting Gatland's squad once again, and this isn't the first time they've had to deal without the talents of Leigh Halfpenny at full-back. Dan Biggar will be the critical component at fly-half, and a lot may rest on whether emerging Scarlets half-back Aled Davies starts ahead of team-mate Gareth Davies as many are suggesting he will.

The nation have also timed the announcement of another contract extension well, and Simon Thomas of Wales Online reported on Tuesday that Ospreys lock Alun Wyn Jones had signed a national dual contract. The boost of having those loyalties confirmed for the coming future will be tremendous.

All in all, though, Gatland is the most settled of any Six Nations coach and as such has gained a keen knowledge of Wales' talent pool, giving him the best sense of depth necessary to succeed and end a three-year wait for the title.