Woodward - on top of the world.

By Andrew Baldock, PA Sport Rugby Union Correspondent

CLIVE WOODWARD (England)

England are on top of the world after a stunning autumn Test series when they beat southern hemisphere giants New Zealand, Australia and South Africa at Twickenham.

They enter this season's Six Nations Championship as the officially-ranked number one team in world rugby, yet head coach Clive Woodward remains predictably cautious at the start of his biggest year since taking charge in 1997.

His message is about keeping feet firmly on the floor, totally aware that England face a tough opening game against defending Six Nations champions France and a tricky final fixture in Dublin, where resurgent Ireland await the red rose brigade.

Woodward has had his share of criticism during a reign of more than 50 Tests, but sheer hard work, unswerving commitment and some astute appointments - on and off the pitch - mean that England are currently in their best-ever shape.

IAN McGEECHAN (Scotland)

Scotland coach Ian McGeechan will seek a successful farewell from the Six Nations front-line before moving upstairs to become Jim Telfer's successor as director of rugby after this year's World Cup.

"If you were to write a spec for your ideal candidate as the next director of rugby, then Ian McGeechan would score top marks in every category," said Bill Watson, chief executive of Scottish Rugby.

McGeechan saw his players record a rare win over South Africa during the autumn, and it is that performance which must provide a platform for Scotland to try to improve on last season's fourth place.

McGeechan's pedigree as the top British coach for more than a decade is unquestioned. Now, his players must deliver, and deliver consistently.

STEVE HANSEN (Wales)

Wales coach Steve Hansen will be relieved just to get on with the rugby during a season of off-field turmoil across the Severn Bridge.

While the debate rages about top-flight Welsh rugby going down a provincial or super-club route, Hansen must put all that to one side and prepare his players for a Six Nations campaign which features away games against France, Scotland and Italy.

On a positive note, Wales have shown encouraging signs since Hansen replaced his fellow New Zealander Graham Henry as national coach last year, running South Africa close in Bloemfontein and Cape Town seven months ago, then producing a battling display against New Zealand last time out.

"We have come a long way, and proved that we can be competitive against the top sides," Hansen said.

"Now, we just have to keep it going when we get together for the Six Nations."

EDDIE O'SULLIVAN (Ireland)

Ireland will enter the Six Nations arena this year on the back of an outstanding autumn, when they beat world champions Australia, ever-improving Argentina and crushed Fiji.

And much of their improvement can be attributed to coach Eddie O'Sullivan, who has efficiently gone about his business since taking over from Warren Gatland in 2001.

Results are starting to speak for the Irish, and their strength in depth with regard to playing resources is also expanding.

They beat Australia, for instance, without talisman hooker Keith Wood, so Ireland and O'Sullivan are on course for a big Six Nations campaign, which concludes against England at Lansdowne Road on March 30.

BERNARD LAPORTE (France)

It is hardly imaginable now, but French coach Bernard Laporte faced a battle to keep his job just two years ago.

France finished second from bottom in the 2001 Six Nations Championship, yet Laporte transformed things less than 12 months later as his team took the title and a Grand Slam.

Laporte, an astute tactician who rose to coaching prominence with crack Parisian outfit Stade Francais, has taken his time trying to find the right formula for success.

He has frequently changed his side in a bid to give up-and-coming players their chance to impress in the Test arena, but recent results and performances suggest that Laporte is emphatically on the right track.

JOHN KIRWAN (Italy)

Former New Zealand All Blacks wing John Kirwan has undoubtedly the toughest job of all his Six Nations coaching peers.

Italy have lost every Six Nations game since making an unforgettable winning debut against Scotland in 2000, yet Kirwan is determined not to settle for second-best, claiming: "I want to take Italy to victory in the Six Nations in about five years."

Kirwan took over from fellow Kiwi Brad Johnstone last year, and subsequent results have shown no obvious improvement, suggesting another Herculean battle to once again try to avoid the wooden spoon this season.

"The idea is that we've got to keep improving our rugby, and keep getting closer to the opposition. Ideally, we would all love to win a game," he said.