With their opening match-up with Italy literally just around the corner we admit to seriously struggling to predict what to expect from Martin Johnson and his England side in the 2009 Six Nations season.

Last years second palce finished was deemed a failure — out went Brian Ashton, in came Johnson. Forgetting the fact that Ashton had led England to the 2007 World Cup final, Rob Andrew quickly turned to his former teammate when tough questions were being asked. Johnson heralded in a ?rebuilding? phase and success has been hard to come by.

A disasterous tour of New Zealand followed by record defeats in the November series raised serious questions about just how bad things were for England. The question for us now though is are we finally about to see this 'new' England? Johnson has enjoyed plenty of time with his current squad and, despite the poor results, has chosen to stick largely with a number of players which played in the Novermber series.

There is a much publicized return for Brive number 10 Andy Goode as well as Gloucester captain Mike Tindall, as we well as the arrival on the international scene of London Irish flank Steffon Armitage.

Prop forward Matt Stevens has of course been sidelined for the foreseeable future due to a drug problem while Danny Cipriani has been dropped down the pecking order quite considerably.

Overall, on paper, this England squad remains a hugely talented one. Working in the favour as well, there seems to be a dangerous level of low expectations in the air. With Wales as the favourites for the competition, the French always contenders, the Irish and Scottish talking up a big game, the English have been somewhat lost in the buildup.

Again, on paper, this is a side full of talent and ability — but do they have the knowledge, experience and belief to really make a run at the crown?

Strengths & Weaknesses: Individually the current crop of English players have many strengths, but at the moment they struggle to produce it at the top level.

The Harlequins combination of Nick Easter and Danny Care though is the one consistent threat they have. Care, so lively and dangerous, compliments Easter?s strength and determination brilliantly. Elsewhere, with Mark Cueto, Delon Armitage and Paul Sackey at the back there is plenty of firepower — it is just a case of making use of it.

The England engine room — for so long the standard bearers of the world game — have failed to provide that quality possession of late. Out-muscled in November, they will need a far better showing in 2009. With Mike Tindall returning to the midfield Johnson will be hoping for a little more bite and attacking threat than he saw last year although it remains to be seen whether Tindall and Riki Flutey really are up to it.

Coach & Captain: So much has already been written about Martin Johnson is seems there is nothing left to say. Heading into his first Six Nations as the head man Johnson really would love to answer his critics with a strong showing from his men this February and March.

Hugely inexperience in terms of top flight coaching Johnson struggled in November. With an underachieving side the former England captain became a real target for the media and had plenty of tough questions to face.

Under-pressure for his spot in the team, Steve Borthwick has retained the job as England captain once again. Having fought off the challenges of the like of Phil Vickery, Tom Rees and James Haskell for the spot the Saracens man has struggled for form on the international stage but does seem to have kept the confidence of his coach and his team-mates.

Lions to watch: Despite all their talent and ability there are only a handful of players who might consider themselves really in pole position to secure a spot for the end of season showpiece tour.

In the pack the front row of Andy Sheridan, Lee Mears and Phil Vickery could all make strong cases if their performances improve but at the moment only the hooker has been consistently producing good form. James Haskell, Tom Croft and Tom Rees have all been mentioned as possible contenders but given the competition for spots in the back row it is doubtful all three will make the trip to South Africa.

In the backline one would think that only really Danny Care and Paul Sackey have real cases to be made at this point. A good Six Nations can propel anyone into contention but the two of them enjoyed decent internationals years last year, Sackey in the Six Nations and Care in November, and should be on the plane come June.

Outside bets? Easter remains one of the in-form players for both club and country. Fullback star Armitage enjoyed a great start to his international career and it would be a brave man who bets against him making an impression again. Lastly of course we have Mr. Cipriani. Relegated to the Saxons this week he is struggling to make his England career work, let alone one with the Lions!

2008 Position: 2nd Place W3 L2 - 6 pts

Home Venue: Twickenham, London

iafrica.com Prediction: There is just a nagging belief somewhere that England can turn it all around. Guided by Goode, inspired by Care, England could upset the form books in 2009. Having been so discarded in the buildup to the tournament they head into this weekend?s opening clash with very little serious pressure on them.

With three home games, the first against Italy this weekend, should give them an advantage and possibly put them in contention, this is, after all, meant to be a tournament that is ?wide open.?

Top three finish... at least.

England Squad: Revised

Backs: Delon Armitage (London Irish), Danny Care (Harlequins), Danny Cipriani (Wasps), Mark Cueto (Sale), Harry Ellis (Leicester), Toby Flood (Leicester), Ben Foden (Northampton), Riki Flutey (Wasps), Andy Goode (Brive/France), Shane Geraghty (London Irish), Ugo Monye (Harlequins), Olly Morgan (Gloucester), Jamie Noon (Newcastle), Paul Sackey (Wasps), James Simpson-Daniel (Gloucester), Mathew Tait (Sale), Mike Tindall (Gloucester).

Forwards: Steffon Armitage (London Irish), Steve Borthwick (Saracens), George Chuter (Leicester), Tom Croft (Leicester), Nick Easter (Harlequins), Dylan Hartley (Northampton), James Haskell (Wasps), Nick Kennedy (London Irish), Lee Mears (Bath), Tom Mercey (Saracens), Luke Narraway (Gloucester), Tom Palmer (Wasps), Tim Payne (Wasps), Joe Worsley (Wasps), Simon Shaw (Wasps), Andrew Sheridan (Sale), Julian White (Leicester), Phil Vickery (Wasps)

Schedule:
Sat, Feb 7 England v Italy 15.00 15.00 Twickenham
Sat, Feb 14 Wales v England 17.30 17.30 Millennium Stadium
Sat, Feb 28 Ireland v England 17.30 17.30 Croke Park
Sun, Mar 15 England v France 15.00 15.00 Twickenham
Sat, Mar 21 England v Scotland 15.30 15.30 Twickenham