The Six Nations is back — and this is the ultimate pre-show breakdown you need before kickoff.
On this episode of Maul or Nothing, we’re joined by Ireland & British & Irish Lions winger Simon Zebo for elite insight, dressing-room reality, and the stories behind the team sheets as Europe’s biggest championship explodes into life.
From France v Ireland on a rare Thursday night, to England v Wales at Twickenham, plus Scotland’s ceiling and Italy’s growing threat — nothing gets past us.
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🔴 FRANCE v IRELAND – THE OPENING BLOCKBUSTER
• Antoine Dupont RETURNS after an 11-month ACL layoff —
• Why France scheduled this game on Thursday night (and what it tells us)
• Jalibert over Ntamack — obvious call, but not an easy one
• Gaël Fickou’s omission — and just how long he’s actually been around
• Youth surge: Moefana (25), Depoortere (23), Gourgues (20)
• ROG insight: France’s “there’s nothing between them” mentality — except Dupont
Ireland under the radar?
• Big selection calls at fly-half
• Prendergast vs Byrne vs Crowley — who should start?
• Big players missing: Aki, Keenan, Hansen, Porter
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ENGLAND v WALES – PRESSURE EVERYWHERE
England talking points:
• Northampton connection: Freeman + Dingwall together
• Henry Arundell back on the wing
• Maro Itoje on the bench —
• Is the modern game now fully 23-man rugby?
• Henry Pollock — the ultimate impact player… and how much will he hate not starting?
Wales: fresh start or same problems?
• No win since March 2023 — but optimism is back
• Injuries hit hard: Jac Morgan, Faletau, Tshiunza, Llewellyn
• Bizarre stat: Louis Rees-Zammit has never played at Twickenham for Wales
• Max… wing or fullback?
• Alex Mann — world-champion agitator… shades of Ryan Wilson?
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🔵 SCOTLAND – EXPECTATION MANAGEMENT
• Preferred starting XV debate
• What does success actually look like?
• Sione’s careful messaging — humility or mind games?
• Is this last-chance saloon for Gregor Townsend?
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🇮🇹 ITALY – NOT A GIMME ANYMORE
• Why Italy are no longer a free hit
• Lessons from beating the Wallabies
• Louis Lynagh predicts a big step forward
• Big misses: Capuozzo, Negri, Vintcent, Allan
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🥃 PLUS
• Zebo stories you won’t hear elsewhere
• Scotland humility chat
• “10 channel fool’s gold”
• Duncie Weir last minute drop goal
• WOLFCRAIG shout-out to our fabulous sponsors 👉 https://www.wolfcraig.com
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