Austin Healey & Neil Francis

Ahead of the Six Nations which starts this weekend INPLAY has got the views of two former internationals from both sides of the Irish Sea. Austin Healey (51 caps for England; 2 for the British and Irish Lions) and Neil Francis (36 caps for Ireland) give some of their thoughts on this year’s tournament...

INPLAY: OK - easy one first up... Who's going to win?

AH: My heart says England but I’m afraid the head says Ireland. I think the great thing is though that it’s so competitive. A few years ago, everyone said the tournament was boring as it was already decided. Now there are 3 teams with an outstanding chance: it’s probably now the best tournament in the world.

NF: Ireland, it's their year.

INPLAY: From what you've seen this season, which young player will emerge as a rising star in this year's tournament?

AH: If given the opportunity England’s Harry Ellis could be the star of the whole tournament. Gavin Henson of Wales could also be a surprise package now that he is first choice.

NF: Sad to relate I don't think there will be any. Most of the teams have settled international squads and it seems to be very difficult for young players to get into any of them. It will be interesting to see how Jamie Noone and Matt Tait of England will progress, but whether they will be classed as rising stars after the tournament is over is another thing. The tournament badly needs new blood but coaches are quite happy to stick with what they have got.

INPLAY: Which ground will be the most intimidating to run out onto?

AH: Twickenham is always hard for opposing teams, as it is the biggest stadium. It’s also the home of the World Champions and of course everyone wants to beat them. The England boys are definitely fired up for playing at the Millennium Stadium: particularly if the roof is closed, the atmosphere is electric.

NF: Lansdowne Road for the Ireland vs England game.

INPLAY: So now that Martin Johnson is retiring... was he the greatest captain ever?

AH: Without doubt. The record speaks for itself: and he was the greatest captain for England, the British and Irish Lions and Leicester. He commanded the utmost respect of everyone who played with him; and he was a forward with some intelligence, which is an extremely rare commodity. It also helped that he was an exceptionally hard bastard.

NF: Comparisons are odious but in this instance they have to be made. Beaumont, Carling, Wood, Hastings and Galthie would have been some of the better captains in the northern hemisphere, Johnson would have been superior in most respects to that list. In terms of the southern hemisphere Piennar, Fitzpatrick and Eales would have been the stand out captains - Johnson would certainly compare favourably.

INPLAY: 27th February. England vs. Ireland. Lansdowne Road. Who wins and what’s the score?

AH: I’ll only whisper it, but the bet would have to be the Irish. Apart from anything else, when you get there, they always whine “Go easy on us” and make out that you’re going to destroy them, then they give you a good pasting on the field. It’ll be close but Ireland will win 21-15.

NF: Ireland 22-17

INPLAY: Who will be the leading points scorer in the tournament?

AH: Tricky, but I think Gavin Henson could be the man. I would say Charlie Hodgson, but it’s possible that Jonny Wilkinson will be back by the Ireland game, which would limit his chances.

NF: Ronan O'Gara to pip Steven Jones

INPLAY: For those who like a bet at a long odds, which match will provide the big upset of the 6 Nations?

AH: I wouldn’t be betting much but I might put a few quid on Scotland to win one of their home games. They’ve been largely written off although they’re always dangerous at home and they showed a bit of character against the Wallabies in the autumn. You should get a nice price against Ireland and Wales.

NF: Wales versus England on the opening day of the championship

INPLAY: What's the strangest superstition of any player you've known?

AH: Will Greenwood had a bizarre habit of insisting on wearing a pair of socks that his sister had given him under his rugby socks. It might not have been so odd if they had been white or black, but they were bright red ones with reindeers on. Funny bloke...

NF: Player - "unnamed" used to run out backwards onto the pitch

INPLAY: Which side will be taking the wooden spoon home with them?

AH: Definitely Italy.

NF: Scotland. They are in absolute disarray.

INPLAY: What's the strangest thing a fan has shouted at you from the stands?

AH: I get quite a lot of abuse – “It’s a wig” is popular at the moment; “How far away are you Healey: are you a midget?”; and I’ve had quite a lot of stuff thrown at me, including a bottle full of stones in South Africa. Strangest thing though: “Healey, you are the greatest!”

NF: I had been giving Munster a lot of guff in my column in the Sunday Tribune and was playing against Shannon at Thomond Park. I had just burst onto the ball in an awkward situation and was faced by the Shannon backrow of Anthony Foley, Alan Quinlan and Eddie Halvey. The three of them picked me up and speared me into the ground. It took me a while to get up and I was fairly dazed and confused as I got up slowly and some guy shouted from the stands "stick that in your f***** article yeh stupid bo***x".