The oldest, and many would say still the best, tournament in world rugby union begins tomorrow. Yes, the Six Nations Championships are with us once more, with France seeming to be most people’s favourites to take the title. Wales, after an excellent world cup, should surely run them close and Ireland can never be written off. Poor England, following their disastrous world cup, the loss of their manager and the retirement of several experienced players, are fancied by few.

With a young and relatively inexperienced side England travel to Edinburgh to meet the eager Scots who need no encouragement in  trying to put one over their “auld enemy”. So confident are they that T shirts celebrating a Scottish victory are already on the streets of Edinburgh. Now that really is confidence isn’t it?

Can you imagine the howls of righteous indignation that would emanate from north of the border if it had been the other way round?  Imagine if T shirts had been printed celebrating an anticipated England victory? The accusations of English arrogance would fill the air for weeks, maybe months but when our neighbours behave this way  it’s all a marvellous example of their passion and patriotism! Funny that.

Memo to England – read the papers before the game, see how everybody has written you off, see how your opponents are already gloating and use it to your advantage. What greater inducement do you need to win the game?