Form guide - the teams

England

The way the team turned its World Cup fortunes around after a 36-0 loss to South Africa in the opening game has gone down in rugby folklore. Hard-fought victories against Tonga and Samoa earned them a quarter-final showdown with Australia. Few fancied England to repeat their 2003 victory against the Wallabies, but when they came out on top, it was like a rugby nation reborn. Coach Brian Ashton will hope that public expectations do not exceed the pool of talent available, but England are still in with a good shout of regaining the Six Nations crown after an absence of four years.

Current odds 9/4

France

Still smarting from their World Cup semi-final defeat to England on that memorable Parisian evening in October, France will be eager to be reassert authority in a tournament that they have won three times in the last four years. This year's fixtures are kind to them, with games against main rivals England and Ireland on home soil. Despite problems at the World Cup, new coach Marc Lievremont says he will not wield the axe, but is instead looking to build towards the 2011 World Cup.

Current odds 11/8

Italy

It could easily be argued that Italy were the stars last time around - their 37-17 win over Scotland was a first-ever Six Nations away win, while the victory over Wales meant that they avoided the wooden spoon. The Azzurri had every chance of making the World Cup quarter-finals but were undone in a group-match decider against Scotland.

Current odds 80/1

Ireland

The onus will be on the Irish team to rekindle the form that has won them three Triple Crowns in four years. Losing the Six Nations title by the slenderest of margins to France last year followed by a disappointing World Cup means they still have something to prove. Coach Eddie O'Sullivan announces an extended squad on 14 January, but wholesale changes are not expected.

Current odds 4/1

Wales

Since winning their first Six Nations grand slam in 2005, Welsh rugby has been in the mire. Things went from bad to worse at the World Cup, where Fiji's shock victory meant a group-stage exit and coach Gareth Jenkins losing his job. The instalment of Kiwi coach Warren Gatland ushered in a fresh dawn and star trio Ryan Jones, Shane Williams and Gavin Henson are all set to recover from injury in time for the opener against England.

Current odds 7/1

Scotland

Scotland suffered a humiliating defeat last February when they became the first Six Nations team to lose at home to Italy. But 2007 wasn't a complete annus horribilis - they earned a creditable quarter-final placing in the World Cup. Scottish Rugby has put the "massive ticket demand" for the opening game against France down to improving performances.

Current odds 12/1