Skip to content
en-gb GO TO bet365 Sports
  1. Rugby Union

Six Nations Ones to Watch: Ollie Hassell-Collins could lead England’s new era

The Six Nations starts on Saturday and offers a showcase for the best players from England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales.

There will be plenty of big names on show and this tournament has been the making of stars like Antoine Dupont, Johnny Sexton and Owen Farrell.

With the Rugby World Cup looming in the autumn, the coaches will be looking to find a balance between building their sides and blooding their youngsters and several of those could be set to make an impact on the 24th edition of the tournament.

WhatSix Nations 2023
WhereLondon, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Dublin, Paris and Rome
WhenSaturday 4th February - Saturday 18th March
How to watchBBC and ITV
OddsIreland 13/10, France 15/8, England 4/1, Wales 10/1, Scotland 18/1, Italy 500/1

Ollie Hassell-Collins - England

Despite still being yet to earn his first England Test cap, winger Ollie Hassell-Collins could play a starring role in the Six Nations following Steve Borthwick's decision to jettison veterans Jonny May and Jack Nowell.

Anthony Watson's late call-up may hurt Hassell-Collins' chances but if Borthwick is picking on form, the 24-year-old is a shoo-in.

The flyer has scored eight Premiership tries this season and has previously worn the Red Rose on the sevens circuit.

Hassell-Collins has been on the fringes of the England squad for the last two years and, if given his chance, is 18/1 as the Top Tournament Tryscorer.

Ethan Dumortier - France

Another uncapped winger, Lyon's Ethan Dumortier was first called up by France in the autumn and is likely to get at least one cap in the Six Nations.

The 22-year-old has scored a Top 14 high eight tries this season and has the physicality and pace to thrive.

Dumortier offers a nice alternative to the industrious Gabin Villere and Fabien Galthie may choose to rotate the pair depending on the opposition, as the coach looks to mastermind his side's push for a second title in as many years at 15/8.

Jack Crowley - Ireland

Have Ireland, 13/10 Six Nations To Win Outright, finally found a long-term replacement for Johnny Sexton? The team have often faltered without their captain and supporters will be hoping Ireland will not suffer a decline once their skipper decides to hang up his boots.

Therefore, Andy Farrell may use the Six Nations to give his captain's understudies for the number 10 shirt more minutes and Jack Crowley could take advantage.

Crowley has been selected ahead of Munster colleague Joey Carbery and started the November win over Australia.

The 23-year-old is battling Ross Byrne for the bench role but is the more versatile of the pair and arguably the more exciting.

Ange Capuozzo - Italy

The architect of one of the greatest moments in Italian rugby history, fullback Ange Capuozzo's slaloming run through the Welsh defence and inside ball to Edoardo Padovani allowed the winger to touch down under the posts before Paolo Garbisi converted to end their country's 36-game winless run in the Six Nations.

Capuozzo has since moved to Toulouse and has continued to develop, often featuring on the wing, However, he is more likely to don the number 15 shirt during the Six Nations and will need to play a key role as Kieran Crowley looks to employ a more expansive gameplan.

After bursting onto the scene with two debut tries against Scotland and then going on to produce a heroic performance in the following week's win in Cardiff, the 23-year-old looks set to star from the off and is 6/5 to be Italy's Top Team Tryscorer.

Related Rugby Union News

Six Nations: History, key dates and odds

Six Nations: Fixtures & where to watch live on TV

Six Nations Stars: Tommaso Allan

Six Nations: Points System

Ben Healy - Scotland

A clubmate of Crowley at Munster, Ben Healy is set to join Edinburgh in the summer and could get an early taste of playing at Murrayfield after being selected for Scotland.

The Scots' star player is flyhalf Finn Russell but his combustible relationship with coach Gregor Townsend may lead to more controversy and Healy could take advantage.

Townsend has described the former Ireland under-20 playmaker as having 'Test match ability' and he is 66/1 to be Scotland's Top Team Tryscorer.

Jac Morgan - Wales

Morgan might not be the tallest but his low centre of gravity makes him a real carrying threat and adds something extra in the back-row alongside Justin Tipuric and Taulupe Faletau.

Tipuric's height in the seven shirt provides an extra lineout option meaning Warren Gatland can afford to experiment on the blindside and Jac Morgan has been rewarded for his fine form for Ospreys with a start on Saturday against Ireland.

The 23-year-old has the footballing skills and footwork to operate in the wide channels but, more importantly, his stature could give Wales the go-forward in the tight that they have lacked in recent years.

Wales are 11/5 in the Game Betting 3-Way to win Saturday's tournament opener in Cardiff.

Related Articles

bet365 uses cookies

We use cookies to deliver a better and more personalised service. For more information, see our Cookie Policy

New to bet365? Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets

Join Now

Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply.