CONTENTS

Editor Paul Trow
Deputy Editor Adam Hathaway Senior Designer Jane Jackson Sub Editor Danny Wilson

Production Manger Adam Smith Production Controller Mark Livni Features Adam Hathaway,
Angus Loughran, Tom Pountney, Paul Trow Photography Getty Images, Shutterstock

Chief Executive Anthony Leyens Managing Director Matthew Jackson Publisher Peter Levinger
Head of Consumer Division
Daniel Pegg
Sales Director Matthew Midworth Media Sales Managers
Simon Jones, Jason Williams
Scot King, David Black
Head of Editorial Maria Pieri Managing Editor Ruth Dodson
Office Manager Carly Bell
Office Assistant Corinne Pickup Financial ControllerTaurai Mangezi Credit Control ManagerCraig Chappell Credit Control AssistantSiobhan Grover

Lawrence Dallaglio’s Guide to the Six Nations 2009 is published by Absolute Publishing Ltd.

The entire contents are protected by copyright 2009 and all rights are reserved. Reproduction without prior permission is forbidden. Every care is taken in compiling the contents
of the magazine, but the publishers accept no responsibility in the effect arising therefrom.

Absolute Publishing Ltd
197-199 City Road,
London EC1V 1JN, UK.

Tel: +44 (0)20 7253 9909
Fax: +44 (0)20 7253 9907
web: www.absolutepublishing.com

Printed in the UK

ISSN 1476 – 1998

“Absolute Publishing Ltd are proud to be associated with Wooden Spoon as our chosen official charity partner for 2009” Anthony Leyens – Chief Executive

7 foreword

By Lawrence Dallaglio

9 welcome

60 travel

11 sidelines

Our guide to the each of the six exciting cities, which will host all the action

16 introduction

55 kitbag

Check out all the latest boots and more in our round-up of the best rugby kit

By Wooden Spoon

News, statistics and key dates from around the Six Nations

76 shape up

With our guide to the best fitness and health gadgets and products

Who will come out on top in the 2009 Six Nations Championship?

81 schools rugby

22 cipriani

Review of all the action in the Daily Mail Cup and the Rosslyn Park 7s

87 betting guide

Cover star Danny Cipriani needs to make the England No. 10 shirt his own

29 interviews

Angus Loughran picks out the best bets of the tournament

Exclusive Q&A’s with Olly Barkley, Irish skipper Brian O’Driscoll, IRB player of the year Shane Williams and Euan Murray

90 dream team

Lawrence Dallaglio picks out his all-star XV from the Six Nations

43 player profiles

French centre Benoit Baby and Italy’s Mauro Bergamasco under the spotlight

98 team profiles

Country-by-country preview of each of the Six Nations

50 lions preview

123 2008 review

This summer’s British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa will give the Six Nations added spice

We take a look back at the memorable Welsh Grand Slam

CLASSIC SPORTS SERIES / 5