Today's two matches - the opening games of the International Championship - offer a perfect 'curtain-raiser' to the season.
At Cardiff, the England XV will have been desperately keen to avenge the indignities of the past two seasons (Wales won 30-9 in 68/69 and last year they won 17 points to 13 having been 10 points down at half-time).
In Paris, France, the co-holders of the Championship with Wales, take on Scotland in a match which is possibly the most unpredictable fixture in the Championship. Scotland have won three of their last four games in Paris, two in succession-a better record than any other Championship country.