In Pictures: Six Nations players to watch

It's that time of year again when the cream of European rugby comes together to do battle for the Northern Hemisphere's greatest prize. Here's our pick of players to watch over the coming weeks, some you'll recognise, so you won't...

• Sean O' Brien, Ireland: A bruising back-row forward who is happy to play at 6, 7 and 8, the Leinster man has been lighting up the Magners League with his sheer agression and energy. Although capped by Ireland back in 2009, making an appearence in the victory over world champions South Africa and since winning three more caps, this is his time to shine. With his Leinster colleague Jamie Heaslip sidelined through injury for this weekend's clash in Rome he'll never have a better chance to stand up and be counted.

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• Ben Youngs, England: Man of the match in England's fine victory over Australia in the Autumn Series, the 21-year-old Leicester man seems to be the long term solution to his nation's search for stability at scrum-half. Many have come and gone since Matt Dawson hung up his boots, but this player looks the real deal.

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• John Barclay, Scotland: Well-known to all Scottish rugby supporters but this may well be the tournament in which Barclay truly establishes himself as the world class back-rower he has the potential to be. With the Scots entering the tournament on the back of some fine results, this Glasgow Warrior has the perfect stage on which to perform. And there's no better cauldron to prove his worth than on the hard the Parisian turf this Saturday evening.

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• Thierry Dusautoir, France: Known as the Dark Destroyer, a name he lives up to (just ask the All Blacks, his try and 38 tackles ultimately led to their World Cup exit in 2007), the French captain will play a pivotal role in determining whether or not France can get out of the rut their autumn has left them in. This a World Cup year and if he's off form, France will be too.

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• Andy Powell, Wales: Sport can be the great redeemer and rugby is no exception. When Andy Powell, after some good watering, decided to drive a golf buggy down a motorway after his side's dramatic victory over Scotland last year, it seemed he'd burned his bridges with the rugby world. Left go by Cardiff Blues, Wasps looked beyond the practical joker and Powell repaid them with a string of fine performances. Does he still have it at Test level though?

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• Sergio Parisse, Italy: It must be so frustrating being one a few world class players in a team that sometimes promises much but then delivers very little. Parisse has been the stand-out No.8 of the Six Nations for the past number of years but will probably never have anything to show for it. If Brian O' Driscoll is the player most sides would love to have in their squad, surely Parisse comes in a close second.

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