Some say the Six Nations is a second-rate tournament, and that any international team coach with ambition should be deconstructing his team and rebuilding for New Zealand 2011.
There is this view that the Six Nations should be used as a development tournament so that the young kids can be brought through in international competition – if they make too many mistakes and lose the odd game or three, well, it isn't important is it?
Well, I'm sorry, but I don't subscribe to that point of view. I think it smacks of arrogance on the part of those that hold it – predominantly England fans, sadly.
The Six Nations is THE premium international tournament, and certainly knocks the Tri-Nations into a cocked hat in terms of excitement and national pride. Winning the Six Nations from one season to another actually means something.
There was a time, about six or seven years ago, when it was put forward as a serious suggestion that the England v France game should always be scheduled at the end of the tournament as it was guaranteed to be the championship-deciding match.
Thankfully, that suggestion was rightly thrown out, and one only needs to look at the most recent four seasons' results to know how right that decision turned out to be. I never thought I'd hear myself say this, but thank God for the Welsh!
Many dyed-in-the-wool rugby fans have first become exposed to the sport simply through watching the spectacle of the international competition every February and March, and from this televisual introduction are drawn in and become season ticket holders at their local Magners League, Premiership or Top 14 team. We dilute the tournament at our peril.
Sure, the World Cup is the top-most prize for any nation to aspire to, and once every four years there will be a certain degree of experimentation required in the preceding Six Nations to ensure that each nation can go as far as the talents of their players will take them.
But we should never lose the essential magic that the Six Nations evokes and, if ever it becomes considered second-rate by the wider audience, we really will be witnessing the slow demise of rugby in the Northern Hemisphere.
So, with all that out of the way, it is something of an inevitability that I should attempt to predict the finishing places for this year's tournament. One of the fascinating things about this tournament is that the teams evolve and develop so quickly that what seems obvious prior to the first match is sheer lunacy once the tournament has completed.
So, with the sure and certain knowledge that I'm going to be horribly wrong, here are my predictions for the finishing places.
Champions: Wales
Having grown up in the late 70s, I can still hear the crowing of the Welsh supporters ringing in my ears extolling the prowess of the great players that comprised the team of that era.
With the current crop of extremely talented players, coupled with the coaching geniuses that comprise the Gatland-Edwards axis, this is a golden opportunity to re-create those days.
Although we'll never hear the last of it from the Welsh fans, I think they will do what no Welsh team has done since then and win back-to-back championships.
Runners-Up: England
Possibly a bit of heart-ruling-head in this decision, but I believe the England set-up is a little bit closer to where they need to be than they've been given credit for.
Despite three poor results during the autumn, there were nevertheless signs of some development, and I think Martin Johnson's men will give a reasonable account of themselves this term.
Joint Third: Ireland & France
If you really pressed me, I would perhaps put Ireland slightly ahead of France, but it is extremely close between the two. French rugby is in a bit of turmoil at the moment, and Marc Lievremont has his hands full trying to find the right mix.
Ireland seem unable to change from the tried and tested formula, but that formula comprises highly talented players and, as long as they have breath in their bodies, they will give their all for the cause.
Fifth: Scotland
Some striking results in the Heineken Cup this season has shown a glimmer of hope for the Scottish pro-sides.
Andy Robinson and Sean Lineen as coaches have put some self-respect into the Edinburgh and Glasgow sides, but I'm not yet convinced the national set-up is the right shape for anything other than another year of Scottish disappointment.
Wooden Spoon: Italy
The Azzuri have been making steady strides towards becoming a firmly effective force in NH rugby, and at one stage I had them finishing above Scotland in the table.
However, without the call on a recognised scrum-half, coach Nick Mallett has been considering some quite frankly bizarre selections, one of which being flanker Mauro Bergamasco playing as a 9!
You can do this at Old Blobingtons Fourth XV, but at international level? Surely not!