Rugby Union: 'Their main problem will be the French': So can England become the first team to win three successive Grand Slams? John Hopkins sought expert opinion

BILL BEAUMONT

Former England captain

Yes. England are the most settled team in the championship. There is a huge difference between them and the others. I expect the final order to be England, France, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. England's key games are France and Wales. The Welsh will be tough at Cardiff. The new laws help their forwards more than ours because they are better at living on their wits. England's only potential problem is in the back row. I think that Neil Back should be in the squad. I don't care what anybody says, I think he's is terrific.

WILLIE-JOHN McBRIDE

Former Lions captain

Obviously the pressure builds up year by year but yes, England can do it. They have clear tactical plans and stick to them and have successfully introduced one or two new faces. Ireland are not a threat. Scotland are in transition. Wales could frighten England. The new laws, which will stretch the Dooleys and the Probyns, will favour England more than the others. They have become more expansive since the World Cup.

BOB TEMPLETON

Harlequins' Australian coach

Everything is pointing to it. England are an extremely talented team, fitter and stronger than last year, it seems. It is hard to pinpoint a weakness. Wales and France are threats. You can never underestimate the unpredictability of the French. If England relax at Twickenham that would make things different. However, I am sure that Cooke and Best will not allow that to happen. Wales have come a long way in the past 18 months, helped by the Heineken Leagues, and they too are fitter and stronger. They will be at their best at home against the old foe but England have got the ingredients to win.

SERGE BLANCO

Former French captain

It is possible. England have many experienced players like Underwood and Dooley. Their team is formidable. Andrew is a key player. He plays well with his hands and his strategy and distribution are very important to his team. But I think the French can win at Twickenham. For the French the score is not important. The way they play is more important. They played badly against Argentina and South Africa. It is good that Camberabero is playing. He has good feet, good hands and a good head. To me the championship does not look like a photo finish.

BILL McLAREN

BBC commentator

Yes. England's main problem will be the French, who are helped by the return of Camberabero. He is a fantastic goal-kicker, something like fourth or fifth leading points scorer in the world. Wales are not strong enough up front though we in Scotland watching Rugby Special are always struck by the quality of back play in club rugby down there. If Wales can win 40 per cent of the ball against England they could pull off a surprise. Wales need an arrogant stand-off. I think Scotland would settle for two wins and two losses. Ireland are rebuilding. No, I think England's old guys can pull themselves up for one more effort.

FRED HOWARD

Referee

If I was betting on it I would say no. I think they will lose in Cardiff but win the championship. Alan Davies is very shrewd and Wales have very capable backs even though they lack size in the forwards. The French at Twickenham will be difficult. Camberabero is back to bring some common sense, and Bernard Lapasset, their new president, will make sure there is a sense of discipline in the French team.

BOB DWYER

Australia coach

Yes, they sure can. They are a fair way ahead of the other countries. Wales have very capable players in their back line yet against us they tried to show too many individual running skills and physical skills. That was not very smart. No, it has to be England. Winterbottom is at the top of his form. Teague has never played so well as he did on tour with the 1989 Lions and Clarke gives extra pace to the back row. England do not need to run the ball more. They need to work out different ways to be more successful at it.

JEFFREY ARCHER

Author and referee

I'd have thought the answer was yes. England's toughest games are at home - France and Scotland. I don't count Wales as such a threat but perhaps I am over-influenced because they have looked so bad these past few years. The French will be difficult. Give those bastards a hard ground and a ball with black bits on each end and you don't know what the hell they'll do. They can score 14 points in three minutes. Even so, I believe that this England team can cope with anything.

NAAS BOTHA

Former South African captain

The way England played against us suggests they have a good chance. They are very balanced. They can keep it tight and open it up if they need to. Some of their forwards are old but that ignores the fact that they are very experienced. France are better organised than they used to be but they don't travel well. The Cardiff game will be a big occasion but I believe that England will prove they can do it. It is sad that Richards is out but Clarke's presence improves their line-out and under the new laws there are more line- outs than scrums.

NEIL KINNOCK

Former Labour leader; coaches mini-rugby at London Welsh

No. But this is a calculation, not an act of patriotism. England are a damn good team and when I get to the pearly gates where naturally St David will be on duty he'll probably give me 1,000 years' purgatory for saying so. But we have seen damn good teams get upset before. England's backs are terrific footballers but in the forwards there is a very thin line between experience and wear, and Probyn, Dooley and Teague are getting a bit worn. If England are not beaten in the first 65 minutes they are so fit and strong they won't be beaten in the last 15. The French are the dark horses. England have learned how to exploit the French temperament. Wales need to be able to change their style of play in mid-game. If they had done that against Australia it would have been a different score.