LONDON • As Wales prepare to host resurgent Scotland in Cardiff for the Six Nations opener today, Welsh star Sam Warburton is expecting the most competitive edition of Europe's elite international rugby competition .
Favourites England are looking to become the first side to win three successive outright titles, but England coach Eddie Jones has labelled Ireland as the team to beat.
Warburton expects Wales to be among the teams who can stop England, despite injuries to Jonathan Davies, Dan Biggar, Rhys Webb, and Taulupe Faletau.
"There are four teams, potentially France too, who could all beat each other, so it's wide open," the flanker, among several experienced Wales internationals ruled out today with injury, told the BBC.
"I can't see anyone winning a Grand Slam this season but, if England were to win three (titles), that would be a fantastic feat."
England have lost only once in 23 matches under Jones, but that defeat came against Ireland and denied them a Grand Slam last year.
The Irish may not be the bookmakers' favourites, yet that victory and three Test wins in November mean Joe Schmidt's side deserve to be the second choice.
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Loss in 23 matches under the guidance of England coach Eddie Jones.
Schmidt has transformed the side since taking over in 2013 and led them to victories over all the Southern hemisphere sides, including a historic win over New Zealand in 2016.
But he pointed out that he too has a long injury list, including stalwarts such as flanker Sean O'Brien and utility back Jared Payne.
But the coach has a knack for uncovering and blooding new talent to great effect. Much is expected of 20-year-old full-back Jordan Larmour and 21-year-old winger Jacob Stockdale, who will make their Six Nations debuts today against France at the Stade de France.
The Irish side will revolve round the world-class half back pairing of scrum half Conor Murray and fly half Johnny Sexton, while other experienced hands like skipper Rory Best bring a streetwise edge to the team.
Still, Schmidt has not entertained thoughts of the final match at Twickenham on March 17 becoming a title showdown. "This Six Nations, we have the youngest squad we have had and there is a degree of excitement in that," said the New Zealander, whose side have an average age of 26.5.
"It will be interesting to see how they develop the way they play."
England, the second-ranked team in the world behind the All Blacks, open their campaign against Italy in Rome tomorrow.
Jones, who is famed for his psychological banter, said: "I'm excited by our prospects, particularly as we have been written off.
"No one thinks we can win the Six Nations so we have got an opportunity to hunt the other teams down."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
