3 KEY CLASHES

1

MARCUS SMITH (above left) v FINN RUSSELL (above right) TWO champion individuals. When I talk about the Six Nations creating positive headlines for rugby, I am thinking of this pair. Their battle will be worth the Twickenham ticket price alone. Smith has a point to prove because everyone was talking about Owen Farrell playing No 10. He will want to show how good he is, but Russell is special. Smith was superb when he faced Racing 92’s Russell with Quins and England will be hoping for a repeat.

2

ELLIS GENGE (above) b ) v WP NEL (below) ENGLAND traditionally have a strong scrum but that has not been the case recently and the set-piece was blown away by South Africa. I’m expecting a big game from Genge, but the scrum is not about one player. It’s the No 1 thing to get right against Scotland. If England do that, it will give Marcus Smith the front-foot ball on which he can thrive.

3

OLLIE HASSELL HASSELLCOLLINS (above left) v KYLE STEYN (above right) I’VE been banging the drum for Hassell-Collins for ages. A debut in the Calcutta Cup at Twickenham is the stuff of dreams. I’m old enough to remember the late, great David Duckham. I’m sure Duckham — who like Hassell-Collins was tall, blond and quick — would have loved to see him play today. He will be looking down. My message to Hassell-Collins is don’t expect the ball to come to you. Go and find it like you do for London Irish and try to get as many touches as possible. If he does that, he will cause problems.