by Nigel Melville
Nigel Melville Direct

In Wellington the HSBC Sevens has just kicked off the weekend's rugby with the Eagles facing South Africa and England in their opening games! Then the teams head to vegas where I am looking forward to seeing both the Men's and Women's Eagles performa in front of their home fans.

Back in Europe the highlight of the fifteen a side season kicks off, the Six Nations. I am delighted to see that BBC America will once again present live broadcasts of the RBS 6 Nations Championship, one of Europe’s biggest annual sporting events, with England, France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Wales vying for the championship over seven weeks. Reigning champs England will kick off BBC America’s coverage of the tournament when they face Scotland on Saturday, February 4, starting at 12 pm ET/PT.

Who will win? Wales seem to be one of the favorites but World Cup Finalists France are strong, Ireland experienced, Scotland improving, a new look England and then there's Italy who seem to be standing still. Personally, the head takes France to win....but I'll shed no tears if they don't!

Here’s BBC America’s 2012 match schedule:

Scotland vs. England
Murrayfield in Edinburgh
Saturday, February 4, 12 pm ET

France vs. Ireland
Stade de France in Paris
Saturday, February 11, 3 pm ET

England vs. Wales
Twickenham in London
Saturday, February 25, 11 am ET

Wales vs. Italy
Millennium Stadium in Cardiff
Saturday, March 10, 9:30 am ET

England vs. Ireland
Twickenham in London
Saturday, March 17, 1 pm ET

With an impressive resume as player, coach and administrator, Nigel David Melville took over as CEO and President of Rugby Operations of USA Rugby, the National Governing Body of the sport in America, in 2006.  In addition to his full time job promoting the sport in the U.S., Melville has launched his own blog, Nigel Melville Direct, to further the discussion and his passion for what it will take to make the U.S. a great rugby playing nation.

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