As always, the riveting brilliance of the Six Nations is dampened ever so slightly due to the top-tier talent that will be missing.
While this is mostly down to injury, this year's competition will be without some of Europe's brightest stars due to a couple of more unique reasons.
Notably, Antoine Dupont - widely considered the world's best player - will be missing due to his commitments with the France Sevens team, as he pursues his Olympic dream, while Wales' Louis Rees-Zammit has remarkably quit rugby for the time being, as he begins his road to the NFL.
Some of our selections will be back for later games in the tournament, but all will be unavailable for the opening weekend.
France Plagued With Injuries Ahead Of The Six Nations
The French are most certainly the worst off, with injuries to Emmanuel Meafou, Romian Ntamack, and Anthony Jelonch rubbing salt into their Dupont shaped wound.
Ireland have been rather fortunate, with the in-form Mack Hansen their only major casualty, but an already weak Wales squad is without their player of the World Cup Jac Morgan, while England are missing Tom Curry and Owen Farrell, among others.
We do not have confirmation yet on the injury to French fullback Melvyn Jaminet, and we have chosen both him and Jimmy O'Brien.
READ HERE: Six Nations : Ronan O'Gara Identifies France Star As Bigger Loss Than Dupont For Ireland Game
READ HERE: Ireland U20s 2019 Six Nations Grand Slam Winners: Where Are They Now
11 February 2023; Mack Hansen of Ireland is tackled close to the line by Antoine Dupont of France during the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and France at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
Balls.ie's Injured Six Nations XV:
- Dave Kilcoyne [Ireland]
- Luke Cowan-Dickie [England]
- Sipili Falatea [France]
- Thibaud Flament [France]
- Emmanuel Meafou [France]
- Anthony Jelonch [France]
- Tom Curry [England]
- Jac Morgan [Wales]
- Antoine Dupont [France]
- Romain Ntamack [France]
- Mack Hansen [Ireland]
- Owen Farrell [England]
- Ollie Lawrence [England]
- Louis Rees-Zammit [Wales]
- Melvyn Jaminet/Jimmy O'Brien [France/Ireland]
Other notable absentees:
Dewi Lake, Manu Tuilagi, Tom Ahern, Taulupe Faletau, Adam Hastings.
SEE ALSO: Six Nations : Former Ireland Star Is Seriously Worried By Andy Farrell's Options At Out-Half
