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The Six Nations gets underway in Paris in just under a week with France hosting Wales under the lights at the Stade de France.
Spectators are guaranteed thrills and spills from over five rounds of nail-biting action as many of the biggest heavyweights sport horns again.
Ireland have been made favorites by the bookmakers with France Hot On their queues. Meanwhile, England have been tipped to finish third.
But who better to ask for your predictions than a former player who has years of experience at the top of the game, including in the Six Nations?
Here, Dan Biggar reveals how he thinks the tournament will play out…
The Six Nations gets underway and Ireland are the favorites for many punters.

England could be a challenger if they win one of their first games against Ireland or France
ITALY
What impresses me most about Italy is its central partnership of Juan Ignacio Brex and Tommaso Menoncello.
As a midfield combination, they are probably the best in the Six Nations. Italy had a really good campaign last year, but they struggled again in the autumn.
Their game in Rome feels like a shootout for the wooden spoon and I’m turning to Wales to get the edge on them.
Key man: Menoncello. He is the current player of the tournament and is their most important player since Sergio Parisse.
Breakthrough Star: It looks like they won’t be hexing many new players, so I’m backing Ange Capuozzo to move up a level.
Prediction: Sixth

Tommaso Menoncello is Italy’s key man and their most important player since Sergio Parisse
WELSH
It’s a really bleak picture for Welsh Rugby and I hope it can change with a win or two in the Six Nations. Warren Gatland is under pressure and I can’t see him surviving unless they end the losing streak.
I think the game plan needs a little shake up. Wales don’t have the size and power to compete physically with the best teams in the Six Nations, so I’d like to see them move the ball a little more and target less.
Key man: Thomas Williams. There is a lot of inexperience at No 10, so they will really lean on him. He’s playing with a real tempo and zipper at Gloucester.
Breakthrough Star: Eddie James. Wales has been struggling to win the profit line and may operate a bit like Jamie Roberts.
Prediction: Fifth

A bleak picture for Welsh Rugby could be changed with a Six Nations win or two
SCOTLAND
Losing Sione Tuipulotu was the worst possible preparation for Scotland.
He was a shoo-in for the Lions midfield and has been their standout player over the last 12 months. They have had England’s number for a while, but I think they will struggle without tuipulotu.
There has been a bit of hope around him for a while now, but if things don’t go well there will be some pressure on Gregor Townsend.
Key man: Zander Fagerson. There is a lack of ruin depth behind him and they really need him to last 70 minutes a game.
Breakthrough Star: Fergus Burke. He has done the basics very well for Saracens and offers a really nice alternative to Finn Russell off the bench.
Prediction: Room

Scotland lacks ruin depth and needs Zander Fagerson to last 70 minutes
ENGLAND
There is good pressure on Steve Borthwick but I think he has so much talent at his disposal that England will do well.
Because they have so much depth, there isn’t a player who is truly indispensable for them and that’s a strong position to be in.
I think Marcus Smith will start at number 10, but he really needs to start converting performances into wins. If they can win one of their opening games against Ireland or France they will be a challenger, but I don’t think they will.
Key man: Maro Itoje. He’s captain now and really sets the standards with his play.
Breakthrough Star: Asher Opoku-Fordjour. I played it over the weekend and it was excellent. He can help the team move on from Dan Cole and Joe Marler.
Prediction: Third

Marcus Smith could start at No 10 for England but must convert screens into wins
FRANCE
They are a joy to watch. They have the best defensive coach in the world by a country mile in Shaun Edwards and their offense comes alive in the transition game.
You don’t need to understand the intricacies of the game to appreciate guys like Damian Penaud, Louis Bielle-Barrey and Antoine DuPont in full flight.
Their squad oozes talent, but they don’t have the easiest run of away games and that’s why I think they will get wrapped up.
Key man: Antoine DuPont. Without a shadow of a doubt. Look how much they missed him when he was at the Olympics.
Breakthrough Star: Josh Brennan. He has been a revelation for Toulouse and will take a look with some injuries to Lock.
Prediction: Second

France are a pleasure to watch and Antoine Dupont will undoubtedly be their key player again
IRELAND
Not having Andy Farrell due to his Lions training commitments could have an impact, but they have a lot of experience so I think it will be relatively smooth sailing.
They look so strong on paper, with guys who have been there and done that. Everyone knows the game plan up to a tee and it’s hard to stop.
For years it has always been about Johnny Sexton, but now they have a heated battle for the No 10 shirt between Jack Crowley and Sam Prendergast.
Key man: Tadhg furlong. There is a bit of a drop off if they lose him because he is a rock in the scrum.
Breakthrough Star: Prendergast. As a fly-half, he looks exciting, always attacking the line and playing killer passes.
Prediction: First
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