As January moves into February, the excitement levels in the world of rugby begin to increase as a new 6 Nations Championship comes into view. Spread over two months, the championship is a festival of power, speed and aggression, as some of the world’s best rugby players are pitted against each other.
The question is, who will win this year’s 6 Nations?
England, under Head Coach Eddie Jones, is ranked as the No 2. team in the world at the moment. However, some slightly lacklustre and unconvincing displays in the Autumn Internationals mean that the odds-on favourites might struggle against some of the more passionate Home Nations.
A resurgent Scotland – who powered past Australia 53-24 in the autumn – are playing some of the most attacking, free-flowing rugby under the guidance of the mercurial Gregor Townsend.
Wales have struggled of late, and while narrowly overcoming South Africa in the autumn, they are not the penetrative, try-scoring machine they use to be.
Ireland’s form has been unpredictable at best. Fresh off the back of demolishing the Springboks in the autumn, they then struggled past tier two teams, Fiji and Argentina. Although England also made heavy weather of finishing off the dogged Pumas.
France has always been capricious, but has been struggling recently. Especially after defeats by the Springboks and All Blacks in the autumn, and only managing to scrape a draw against Japan. When at their best, they have the talent to take any team in the world, but this year they might struggle to make an impact.
Finally, let’s look at Italy. In the last decade, they have come on in leaps and bounds, and could cause an upset (and regularly do) to any team in the tournament. Will they hold the wooden spoon again this year? You wouldn’t bet on it.
Stay with Rocco Forte Hotels at Brown’s in London, The Balmoral in Edinburgh or Hotel de Russie in Rome to make sure you soak up the atmosphere of the tournament and we will ask our concierge to find you tickets to some of the crunch matches of this year’s Six Nation’s Championship, including:
Sunday 4th February – Italy v England in Rome
Saturday 10th February – England v Wales in London
Saturday 10th February – Scotland v France in Edinburgh
Saturday 24th February – Scotland v England in Edinburgh
Saturday 17th March – Italy v Scotland in Rome
Saturday 17th March – England v Ireland in London
Soccer Stadium © iStock/efks
Rugby Ball Kick © iStock/skynesher
Along the Mediterranean, food is intrinsic to daily life. Mornings begin with fishermen hauling in their catch, while market stalls brim with sun-ripened produce. Meals unfold slowly, often outdoors, with dishes meant to be shared. No rush, no excess - just ingredients at their peak, prepared simply and enjoyed in good company.
In the early 20th century, Munich was a hotbed of artistic innovation. Amid shifting social landscapes, a new school emerged from an intense exchange of ideas that would shape the trajectory of modern art: Der Blaue Reiter, or The Blue Rider. This avant-garde collective left an indelible mark on modern art with their radical departure from tradition and bold exploration of colour and spirituality.
Agrigento’s roots run as deep as the gnarled olive trees that dot its landscape, stretching back over 2,500 years to its founding as Akragas, one of the greatest cities of the ancient Greek world. Set against a breathtaking coastline, this once thriving cultural and political hub was praised by the Greek poet Pindar as “the most beautiful city of mortals”. Today, this splendour is immortalised in the Valley of the Temples.
