X-Factor Player From Each 6 Nations Team

The 6 Nations does not hold a shining reputation for exciting rugby. However, in many cases the teams do have the players to open up any game, as we saw on super saturday a year ago. With that in mind, here is each teams X-Factor player.

England: Anthony Watson

As England labored through the pool stages of the 2015 World Cup, they had only one player who was consistently an attacking threat. That player was Anthony Watson. Watson is remarkably well rounded, and has been a dominant force for England through the years. This step is electric, he has great pace and vision, and is unbreakable under the high ball. With Watson in the lineup, England are an entirely different side. Expect to see Watson feature heavily with new England Coach Eddie Jones, a frightening prospect for England’s rivals.

France: Virimi Vakatawa

Think of Vakatawa as Guy Noves’ secret weapon. The French 7’s star remains one of the most exciting players on the circuit, with his dazzling offloads and power. Noves has him listed as a back, so we have a suspicion that he will be playing in the center or on the wing. In any case he is a dominant physical force. Should he be ready to play a major role in the tournament, he will be a major worry for all of the other nations. That said, with players like Gael Fickou, Wesley Fofana and Jonathan Danty the French already have plenty of X-factor players as it is.

Ireland: Luke Fitzgerald

Ireland have four players that can stake a claim to this title in Keith Earls, Simon Zebo, and Robbie Henshaw as well as Fitzgerald . Stuart McCloskey is also worth mentioning, but knowing Ireland’s conservative nature we don’t think he will be given much of a role. Fitzgerald has been in sensational form since Ireland’s World Cup exit, starring for Leinster in the center and on the wing. He embarrassed Ma’a Nonu when Leinster played Toulon and he has blossomed into a great option at inside center. Given Joe Schmidt’s love of picking Fitzgerald over the years, we suspect we will see the Leinster man play a big role for Ireland in this year’s tournament.

Italy: Michele Campagnaro

Campagnaro shocked the world with his performance against Wales in the Millennium Stadium in 2014. With the expectation that Wales would hammer the Azzurri, Campagnaro exploded into life, scoring two tries that left Welsh stars stunned. Italy could not win the game, but they pushed Wales to the ragged edge. Campagnaro may struggle given the lack of quality inside him, but if the Italians can find some space and get him the ball, he could make a major impact in the tournament.

Scotland: Mark Bennett

Bennett looks to be in better form than Stuart Hogg at the moment, so we’ve gone with the center for this article. Bennett was a nightmare for Scotland’s opponents a year ago, and this was not limited to the 6 Nations. At the World Cup he was Vern Cotter’s favorite attacking weapon as the Scots worked their way into the quarterfinals. With players like Finn Russell, Stuart Hogg, and Greig Laidlaw, ready to put him in space at all times, you can bet that Bennett will be more than ready to stamp his mark on this year’s tournament.

Wales: Hallam Amos

The big Dragons wing has pace and power in spades, and given Alex Cuthbert’s struggle to find form he has a big chance to claim a wing alongside George North this season. Where Wales continue to find these massive wingers we have no idea, but it would certainly appear that Amos is the next on the production line. With North, Amos, and Liam Williams all present, Wales could become the next side to dominate the kick chase game, but even if they don’t, their wings are among the most explosive players in Europe. The 21 year old has been capped 5 times by Wales, but after a good tournament (before he was injured) at the World Cup, he should be set to add to those caps.