Thierry Dusautoir isn’t pulling any punches ahead of the Six Nations, delivering a stark assessment of the current rugby landscape. And for Welsh fans, his words make for grim reading.
Speaking to Genting Casino, Dusautoir said bluntly, “Welsh rugby is in a bad place.” With a squad full of young, inexperienced players, the former French captain sees them as easy pickings for France in their opening game. Playing at home in front of an expectant crowd, Les Bleus have the perfect opportunity to lay down an early marker in their title bid. It’s a must-win, not just for the standings but for the momentum that will shape the rest of the tournament.
Taking his prediction a step further, the former French skipper believes Wales could end up propping up the table come the end of the tournament. Italy, so often the Six Nations’ whipping boys, have a real shot at climbing above them this year. The Azzurri showed flashes of brilliance last season, and with Gonzalo Quesada at the helm, they’re steadily improving. “They have young and promising backs, and if they can find consistency, they can play better rugby right now,” Dusautoir explained. With Wales struggling, this could be the moment Italy finally shrugs off its underdog status.
But for all his talk of upsets, the former flanker still believes France will reclaim the Six Nations crown. Just don’t expect a Grand Slam. “I don’t think we are at the level of 2022,” he admitted, referencing the team’s last perfect campaign. Injuries to key players like Charles Ollivon, Gaël Fickou, and Jonathan Danty have made things even more complicated. England are slowly clawing their way back, Ireland remain a formidable force, and Scotland are always a wildcard.
One major boost for France? The return of Antoine Dupont. The talismanic scrum-half’s absence in 2024 was a huge blow, but now he’s back and ready to make an impact. “For any team, it’s not the same to play against France without Antoine Dupont,” Dusautoir noted. With young stars like Romain Bouros and Marko Gazzotti stepping up, France are navigating their transition year well—but Dupont’s return could be the difference between a title and disappointment.
That leaves one big question: Can anyone stop Ireland? Andy Farrell’s squad didn’t exude their usual confidence during the Autumn Internationals, but even with some cracks showing, they’re still one of the most dangerous teams in the competition. “They didn’t show their normal control,” Dusautoir said. “But besides France, who realistically will be able to beat them?”
Wales? Not in their current state. England? They showed signs of life last summer in New Zealand but remain inconsistent. Scotland? They can stun teams, but sustaining that level over a full tournament is another matter. That leaves Ireland with a real shot at defending their title.
The Six Nations is primed for chaos. France will go in as favourites, but with key injuries and a resurgent field, nothing is certain. Will Dupont’s return propel them to glory? Can Italy finally turn promise into results? And is this really the end of an era for Wales? One thing’s for sure—this tournament is about as open as it has been for quite some time.
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