The Six Nations is back — and this is the ultimate pre-show breakdown you need before kickoff.

On this episode of Maul or Nothing, we’re joined by Ireland & British & Irish Lions winger Simon Zebo for elite insight, dressing-room reality, and the stories behind the team sheets as Europe’s biggest championship explodes into life.

From France v Ireland on a rare Thursday night, to England v Wales at Twickenham, plus Scotland’s ceiling and Italy’s growing threat — nothing gets past us.

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🔴 FRANCE v IRELAND – THE OPENING BLOCKBUSTER

•⁠ ⁠Antoine Dupont RETURNS after an 11-month ACL layoff —

•⁠ ⁠Why France scheduled this game on Thursday night (and what it tells us)

•⁠ ⁠Jalibert over Ntamack — obvious call, but not an easy one

•⁠ ⁠Gaël Fickou’s omission — and just how long he’s actually been around

•⁠ ⁠Youth surge: Moefana (25), Depoortere (23), Gourgues (20)

•⁠ ⁠ROG insight: France’s “there’s nothing between them” mentality — except Dupont

Ireland under the radar?

•⁠ ⁠Big selection calls at fly-half

•⁠ ⁠Prendergast vs Byrne vs Crowley — who should start?

•⁠ ⁠Big players missing: Aki, Keenan, Hansen, Porter

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ENGLAND v WALES – PRESSURE EVERYWHERE

England talking points:

•⁠ ⁠Northampton connection: Freeman + Dingwall together

•⁠ ⁠Henry Arundell back on the wing

•⁠ ⁠Maro Itoje on the bench —

•⁠ ⁠Is the modern game now fully 23-man rugby?

•⁠ ⁠Henry Pollock — the ultimate impact player… and how much will he hate not starting?

Wales: fresh start or same problems?

•⁠ ⁠No win since March 2023 — but optimism is back

•⁠ ⁠Injuries hit hard: Jac Morgan, Faletau, Tshiunza, Llewellyn

•⁠ ⁠Bizarre stat: Louis Rees-Zammit has never played at Twickenham for Wales

•⁠ ⁠Max… wing or fullback?

•⁠ ⁠Alex Mann — world-champion agitator… shades of Ryan Wilson?

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🔵 SCOTLAND – EXPECTATION MANAGEMENT

•⁠ ⁠Preferred starting XV debate

•⁠ ⁠What does success actually look like?

•⁠ ⁠Sione’s careful messaging — humility or mind games?

•⁠ ⁠Is this last-chance saloon for Gregor Townsend?

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🇮🇹 ITALY – NOT A GIMME ANYMORE

•⁠ ⁠Why Italy are no longer a free hit

•⁠ ⁠Lessons from beating the Wallabies

•⁠ ⁠Louis Lynagh predicts a big step forward

•⁠ ⁠Big misses: Capuozzo, Negri, Vintcent, Allan

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🥃 PLUS

•⁠ ⁠Zebo stories you won’t hear elsewhere

•⁠ ⁠Scotland humility chat

•⁠ ⁠“10 channel fool’s gold”

•⁠ ⁠Duncie Weir last minute drop goal 

•⁠ ⁠WOLFCRAIG shout-out to our fabulous sponsors 👉 https://www.wolfcraig.com

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