The British and Irish Lions come down under for their tour of Australia, New Zealand take on France, Argentina playing England and Georgia and South Africa are hosting Italy, Samoa and Scotland.
My question is who will be the most well prepared team come the four nations rugby Championship? Will Australia's depth be tested after a grueling Lions tour? Will Argentina be undercooked after playing an under-strength England team? Will South Africa and the All Blacks really be tested at all? I can't imagine the French will be as fired up as they were in the 2011 World Cup Final, and if the Boks can dodge the hard hitting Samoans they shouldn't be pushed too hard.
Lions Tour
Starting with Australia, they indeed have the biggest challenge facing a Warren Gatland lead mainly Welsh team bolstered by the best from England and Ireland with a couple from Scotland. They started their tour against the Barbarians in Hong Kong and ran away with the game 59-8, with only the speed of Joe Rokokoko able to spark anything from the Barbarians. The Lions, captained by Sam Warburton were clinical in defense, and half back Mike Phillips was sensational. They'll be desperately seeking a foreign tour win after coming so close against South Africa losing two tests to one in 2009, and the last winning tour hasn't been since they beat South Africa in 1997. Their record against Australia is impressive winning 75% of games played against Australia since 1899.
Australia have a young and enthusiastic side led by the big Reds Lock James Horwill and the talented backline led by key play maker Will Genia and with the powerful fullback Israel Falou ranging out wide looking to make his mark against the Lions. However unless they can win their set pieces and provide a solid platform for their backs who given space can score from anywhere, I'm picking the Lions will be too strong, and they'll win the series 2-1.
Australia are going to feel the loss of the injured Digby Ioane and Scott Higginbotham, who are both able to spark something from nothing. The Lions tour only comes around every four years, and it's a once in a life time opportunity for the Australians selected to prove they're up for the onslaught, not to mention Robby Deans will be hoping his side can build momentum going into the rugby Championship come August, but I suspect a Lions tour win and rugby Championship will be one bridge too far.
South Africa
Jean de Villiers will lead his side into 2013 with six new caps joining their 34-man squad. The young guns have forced their way into the side after some solid super rugby performances, with the likes of powerful Siya Kolisi in the loose forwards. With the kicking game of Morne Stein and the chasing of the ever present Habana backed up by the brutal forward strength upfront, they're a force to be reckoned with; although most teams will know their game plan. Opposition will need to defend such set pieces with discipline, not to mention being meticulous about not giving away any penalty within range of Steins boot.
The South African side should be too good in all aspects of their game at home to the Scots, Italy and Samoa, and if they get some good combinations working out wide in their attacking play, they could threaten to do more than kick their way to victory in the Championship if given half a chance. My pick is they'll be hard to beat at home, but may not have the all round game to win against a hardened Australian side, and well coached New Zealand one.
The Pumas
Argentina exposed the teams they played at home last year, and after a few more years they'll be a true force to recon with especially if they could break into the super rugby game. The big three of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa still have a huge advantage, not only in having five teams each in the premier Club competition in the Southern Hemisphere, but they're constantly testing themselves against the best from each others countries.
The only advantage Argentina has is that like 2012, they come in as relative unknowns, and could attack with unknown game plans and flare that could surprise their opposition. Having them in the Championship will only strengthen their team, and they're a true asset to the game, even though they finished in last spot last year. My pick is they'll gain some confidence with a win over England, and they'll do better than one draw at home, I'm hoping they'll get their first Championship scalp.
Young Blood
Moving on to my beloved All Blacks, who like South Africa have named six new caps in their squad to play France in the best of three matches in June. Head Coach Steve Hansen has said they're looking at building towards the 2015 World Cup in England while holding onto the core of their senior players. New Zealanders have no tolerance for bad performances and if they can back up a stellar 2012 season where they won every game bar the glitch against England at the end, they'll be doing well.
Keiran Read will be captaining the side against France while Ritchie McCaw is still resting, and hopefully all the young blood coming through the ranks will get a taste of test rugby in this series, especially if the men in black get some big wins on the board.
They'll want to experiment with the new faces in the backline of Francis Saili, Charles Piutau and Rene Ranger who will all be able to show their line breaking abilities like they have for the Blues this year and Steven Luatua should also get a run in the forwards.
In Conclusion
Come August, I'm picking a wounded Wallabies side who will be down in key players, and if they manage to win the Lions series they'll be emotionally and physically spent in order withstand the pressure of a young All Blacks side, and a clinical Springboks side.
Having not followed the European club matches featuring many of the Argentine squad, it's hard to say how well they'll do, but they'll be desperate for their first win at home!
South Africa will be tough but predictable, and the All Blacks will again win the Championship as they build for 2015.