2009 SIX NATIONS

INTRODUCTION

This time last year the rugby landscape was very different. England went into the Six Nations on the back of a heroic run to the World Cup final, Wales

were in disarray following the resignation of Gareth Jenkins, and Ireland were contemplating a disastrous few weeks in France. The French and Italians had new coaches in Marc Lievremont and Nick Mallett while Scotland’s Frank Hadden was the subject of some wild rumours concerning his future – none of which came true in the end.

Fast forward 12 months and Wales are the top dogs of Europe following their resurrection, inspired by Warren Gatland and Shaun Edwards; England have a new boss in Martin Johnson, installed after the Brian Ashton fiasco; and, less controversially, Declan Kidney has taken hold of the �

WHO CAN SLAY THE DRAGON?

What a difference a year can make in top-level rugby union: Adam Hathaway reflects on how quickly Wales turned chaos into a Grand Slam in 2008 and wonders whether any of the other Six Nations can achieve a similarly miraculous transformation this time

16 / CLASSIC SPORTS SERIES