The Six Nations begins on Friday under the lights in Paris, drawing back the curtain on the most exciting six weeks of rugby action the northern hemisphere has to offer.

France or Ireland to win the Six Nations? What about England, Scotland and Wales' chances? Our BBC Radio 5 Live pundits make their predictions.

Maro Itoje says England are "ready to go" as they bid to upset the odds by launching their Six Nations campaign with a defeat of twice defending champions Ireland in Dublin. But they were also the only side to beat Ireland in last year's Six Nations and Itoje believes a new-look England can repeat that Twickenham triumph at Lansdowne Road.