When are the Guinness Six Nations team announcements for Round One?

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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 and on Thursday five teams will announce their sides, with England holding off until Friday.

THURSDAY

Scotland

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.

Wales

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 12pm.

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.

France

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.

Italy

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.

Ireland

The Men in Green are also set to announce their side on Thursday ahead of their clash with Scotland at the Aviva Stadium.

Andy Farrell is set for his first Championship in charge following the departure of Joe Schmidt, while fly-half Johnny Sexton has the captain’s armband.

Lock Devin Toner could be involved after he earned a recall to the wider squad following his World Cup omission, while scrum-half – whether it be the reliable Conor Murray or in-form John Cooney – is also a talking point.

FRIDAY

England

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.

The post When are the Guinness Six Nations team announcements for Round One? appeared first on Six Nations Rugby.

Source: 6 Nations

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