from ScrumQueens:

Clear favourites, the reigning champions go into the competition this year in ominous form. England have played 13 times since the last 6 Nations, and in the process have picked up an array of titles including the Nations Cup and a convincing test series over New Zealand. Perhaps more importantly though England have developed another stream of young players now more than capable of slotting into the first team and that ensures that the side should not be as disrupted by injuries to key players as most of their rivals would. There toughest test as ever will be France away in round four. Two years ago England had to rely on penalty miss from the French in the dying seconds to secure a one-point win and they know only too well that their hopes of a Grand Slam will rest on this game. Despite the ability of the French to consistently get themselves up for England at home – no matter what kind of a season they are having – England are still in my view odds on for another Grand Slam.

Key player: As obvious as it sounds, England’s skipper and fly-half Katie McLean is simply vital to her side. That position is one of the only spots where England don’t have an international specialist deputy who can slot in seamlessly given the injuries to other talented 10s of late and Gary Street will be hoping for an injury free tournament for his captain.
Player to watch: Natasha Hunt emerged as a highly talented scum-half last year who is more than ready to turn her talent to an England shirt. An exciting runner, the former winger, still has plenty to learn on the international stage but starts this weekend giving her a chance to hold onto the shirt.

FRANCE

No 6 Nations win since 2005 must grate on the talented French, who bring with them all the inconsistencies of their male counterparts onto the international stage. Brilliant one week, France can be infuriating the next, but there have been enough strides made in the months since the last 6 Nations to suggest the French could once again be a real force this season. France had their ups and downs in the early part of last year – the European defeat to Spain probably their lowest – but they have bounced back well, and been extremely active in test rugby. The victories over a young England side and Italy in the autumn will have brought confidence and the return of kicker Aurélie Bailon will be a big boost as is the emergence of a number of young stars more than ready to make their mark. The French squad for the first two weekends of games reinforced by experienced names such as Agricole, Bailon, Hebel, Ladagnous, and Rabier and they will be expected to start well against Italy. Having England at home is a key factor to their chances at winning a first title in seven years – if the French can go unbeaten to that point we’ll be in for a cracker that night. But this is France. Anything could happen.

Key player: Marie Charlotte Hebel. The flanker missed most of last season following her excellence at the World Cup and her return is a real boost. An expert in the line-out Hebel leads the pack’s ball carrying duties very well.
Player to watch: Jessy Tremouliere. The young French back three player is a huge talent and if the French feel she’s ready, she has the ability to make a big impact.

IRELAND

Ireland will feature a number of new faces in this year’s 6 Nations with six uncapped players alone in the squad for the opening round against Wales. Hampered as ever by a lack of games outside the 6 Nations test window, Ireland have done a remarkable job the last few years to finish third and that again will be their likely target this year. An issue for Ireland will be the lack of a recognised international fly-half with an injury to Helen Brosnan seeing experienced centre Lynne Cantwell move into the pivotal number 10 position. Ireland do have a reliable kicker outside her though in Niamh Briggs so Cantwell will be well supported in her unfamiliar role. With a strong record on Friday nights at Ashbourne, where the Irish play again this season, an opening win over Wales will be key if they are to repeat last year’s finish.

Key player: Lynne Cantwell is Ireland’s most capped player ever, but the majority of her caps have come at centre or wing so her enforced move to fly-half, if it stays that way beyond game one, is a big test. Regardless though, Cantwell is a key attacking play-maker for her side wherever she plays.
Player to watch: Flanker Claire Molloy has improved out of sight at this level since she made her debut for Ireland and her pace and ability at the breakdown has become a key factor in Ireland’s success in the last few seasons.

WALES

Much like the Irish, Wales’ development is always restricted somewhat by their lack of games. A schedule this year that will see them play at Twickenham and at the Millennium Stadium will be well enough to motivate a passionate Welsh side. The loss of captain Catrin Edwards, who is not playing this season, is tempered somewhat by the return of talented fly-half Naomi Thomas, a player who has the ability to open defences at will and whose presence will be key you feel for a young Welsh backline who may miss the experience of Ceri Redman and Elen Evans in the middle. A real plus for Wales is the fact that their first team has just one new cap, so they travel to Ireland with confidence that they have the exprience to see them through a tough opening away fixture.

Key player: Jamie Kift. The hugely experienced backrow player is a former Wales captain and will be key in providing leadership in this 6 Nations. A tough and uncompromising player, she won’t be found wanting in the backrow.
Player to watch: Megan York. The prop made rapid strides this season with Blaenau Gwent, Cross Keys and the Dragons and is rewarded with a bench spot against Ireland.

ITALY

With 2011 having been their best 6 Nations since joining the tournament, Italy come into this year’s tournament with some confidence. The squad announced last week includes all of the key players from recent championships, such as Schiavon, Tondinelli and Furlan and 19 of the 23 already have at least 10 caps, and every player in the squad has prior international experience. For Italy the first game against France is a challenging start to not only this year’s Six Nations, but also their qualification for 2014 Women’s Rugby World Cup. With all games in both the 2012 and 2013 championships instrumental in deciding Europe’s qualifiers every point scored or conceded could be vital.

Key player: Flavia Severin. The Treviso lock has a great eye for a try and is a dogged defender. She is consistently a key pack performer for Italy and with 26 caps has the experience needed.

SCOTLAND

2011 was a tough year for the Scots in the 6 Nations and finishing bottom will have hurt. But improvements have been made. Scotland played twice in the year since, two more times than Wales and Ireland, and won both efforts against Holland and the Army so the squad will be in positive mood that 2012 will see much improvement. A first up game against England, a side who inflicted a massive scoreline on them last year, will be welcome if only if it allows Scotland to focus on the real task at hand – targeting realistic victories against the other four sides.

Coach Karen Findlay has been working the squad particularly hard on their fitness and ball skills so the Scots will be hoping to play a more expansive game this year. They are also likely to call on some new young talent such as Sarah Dixon and

Key Player: Skipper Susie Brown is a top quality performer and though she misses the English clash, her leadership will be key throughout the tournament.
Player to watch: Sarah Dixon. The flying winger is inexperienced at test level but was one of the key 7s players in the UK last year at various tournaments and has pace to burn. If Scotland get her the ball quickly she will score tries.

Keep track of all the rosters, scores and schedule here.