The 2020 Guinness Six Nations is fast approaching and with a trio of mouth-watering games on the menu, it is set to start with a bang.
Defending champions Wales, under new head coach Wayne Pivac, get the ball rolling against Italy, while Ireland host Scotland and England travel to France.
The excitement is already building after Ireland revealed their team on Tuesday, with the other five sides set to be announced from Thursday.
Gregor Townsend gets a busy Thursday up and running as he announces his squad to face Ireland at 11am.
Scotland have not won in Dublin since 2010 but they have a new captain this year in two-time Player of the Championship Stuart Hogg.
Adam Hastings is expected to get the nod at fly-half, while winger Darcy Graham will not be there after injury ruled him out on the eve of the match.
There are six uncapped players in Townsend’s squad but expect plenty of experience in his side, with the likes of centre Huw Jones pushing hard for a place after missing out on the World Cup.
After 12 years of Warren Gatland, there is a new man at the helm of Welsh Rugby and Wayne Pivac will open a window into his tenure when he names his team to face Italy at 2pm.
It is almost two years since Wales last lost a Championship match and they will start as favourites against Italy.
Who will play at centre is a key question this week, with injuries limiting Pivac’s options. Nick Tompkins could be in line for his debut, while George North has also played there in recent weeks for Ospreys.
On the wing, Louis Rees-Zammit, the exciting 18-year-old, could be in line for his debut too.
Rounding off the opening weekend, France and England renew their rivalry in Paris on Sunday and Fabien Galthie names his Les Bleus team on Thursday.
Galthie, one of France’s great scrum-halves, has named a youthful squad packed with promise and the excitement surrounding the side is growing by the day.
Charles Ollivon is set to captain the hosts for the first time, while the starting berth at fly-half is something to look out for as Romain Ntamack, Matthieu Jalibert and Louis Carbonel battle for the No.10 jersey.
The Azzurri are set to name their XV at 3pm local time (2pm GMT) on Thursday and who features in Franco Smith’s first squad will certainly be intriguing.
Sergio Parisse was not selected in the initial 36-man squad and so his Championship swansong is on hold, while hooker Luca Bigi has taken over as captain.
Experienced lock Alessandro Zanni is in contention to win his 118th cap, which would tie him with France’s former lock Fabien Pelous.
Last but by no means least, England are the final nation to name their team this week as they plot a tricky trip to the Stade de France.
Eddie Jones has promised evolution instead of revolution following England’s World Cup final defeat and a familiar side is expected in Paris – where England last tasted success two years ago.
Owen Farrell has the armband once again, but it is uncertain if he will start at fly-half or centre.
With Billy Vunipola injured, Jones has a decision to make at No.8 while who gets the nod at scrum-half between Ben Youngs and Willi Heinz is also something to look out for.
