In an almost surreal acceleration of time - the first Guinness Six Nations Championship of the 2027 Rugby World Cup cycle is upon us. 

Kicking off at the site of one of the 2023 Rugby World Cup’s key venues, the Orange Velodrome in Marseille on Feb. 2, as reigning champion Ireland faces France. 

The 2024 Six Nations brings with it more change than just about any of the previous ten editions of rugby’s oldest international tournament. 

For the first time since 2008, Johnny Sexton, Dan Biggar or Owen Farrell all will be absent, with the three test icons stepping away from the international arena. 

Thus, for the first time in a generation, Ireland, Wales and England will all be in search of a new general in the No. 10 shirt. 

In this new reality, Andy Farrell, Warren Gatland and Steve Borthwick have the unenviable, yet exciting, opportunity to set the foundations of their respective squads as they build toward Australia 2027. 

So, as the rugby world awaits the imminent squad announcements, here are three fly-half options for each nation who should get the first crack at the whip in 2024. 

Ireland 

Jack Crowley 

Jack Crowley took full control of the backup position at the 2023 Rugby World Cup; the uber-talented Munster star already has shown all of the hallmarks required of a top-quality international. 

At just 23-years-old, the former Bandon Grammar standout guided his province to its first trophy in over a decade with a late drop goal to defeat Leinster in last season’s URC, before controlling proceedings in the final against the DHL Stormers a week later. 

Taking to the international stage like a duck to water, Crowley already has featured in several significant test matches. 

Working alongside fellow international Craig Casey in the Munster halfbacks is another feather in the cap of the man who looks set to be the first choice for the foreseeable future. 

Ciaran Frawley

Ordinarily, Ross Byrne would have been the choice here, but the rock-steady Leinster stalwart picked up an unfortunate early-season injury and has yet to return to action. 

Like Crowley, Cian Frawley is a versatile operator who can play fly-half, center and fullback to a high standard. However, he has looked best when wearing the No. 10 shirt and has been in Andy Farrell’s thinking regarding the fly-half berth. 

Physically, the 26-year-old is a powerful defender and strong ball carrier, who, at the time of writing, looks to be the ultimate bench option given his versatility. This will, of course, not be the role he wants to occupy long term, and he likely will push Crowley, if given an opportunity. 

The biggest obstacle he is facing is a lack of consistent game time in the 10 shirt for Leinster, which has both Byrne brothers (Harry and Ross), as well as the next man on this list, Sam Prendergast. 

Frawley looks most likely to be on the bench or pushed into the center when all four are fit and healthy. 

Sam Prendergast 

Quite possibly, the most talented 20-year-old in professional rugby, Sam Prendergast dominated the U20 circuit for the past few seasons. 

Making his senior debut for Leinster last season in the URC, he has begun to get more first-team opportunities this season. 

Historically, Ireland has steered clear of rushing players onto the international stage, but the 6’4” Prendergast is an exception. 

Possessing that impossible-to-quantify quality of seemingly having endless time on the ball, the former Newbridge College star will be the biggest challenger to Crowley over the next four years. The question is, will this year’s championship be too soon for him to join his brother Cian on the international squad? 

Alternative options Billy Burns (Ulster), Jake Flannery (Ulster), Harry Byrne (Leinster), JJ Hanrahan (Connacht), Jack Carty (Connacht)

Wales 

Sam Costelow - Scarlets

Already capped nine times by Wales, the 22-year-old Sam Costelow played his first match since November in Round 9 of the URC. 

With Biggar now retired from international rugby, and Gareth Anscombe playing his club rugby in Japan, Costelow is the last remaining fly-half option from Wales’ 2023 Rugby World Cup squad. 

Showing snippets of his talent, Costelow is a running threat in the 10 channel, and should Gatland look to transition toward a more attacking game plan with the exciting backs coming through the Welsh system, then the Scarlets playmaker has all the qualities necessary to be the man for the job. 

Owen Williams - Ospreys

Seven times capped, Owen Williams made his first start for Wales in last year’s Six Nations Championship against England. 

Despite featuring against Italy and France in the tournament, Williams did not crack the Welsh World Cup squad. 

Given the age profile of the other options available to Warren Gatland, the 31-year-old Williams could return as an experienced hand for the 2024 championship. 

His versatility as both a fly-half and center option also would make him an intriguing option from the bench. 

Ioan Lloyd - Scarlets

Quite possibly the most talented option coming through the Welsh system, the 22-year-old Scarlets playmaker already has been capped twice by Wales. 

Like his clubmate, Costelow, Ioan Lloyd possesses a strong running game and a clever short- to mid-range kicking game that could work a treat with the dangerous Welsh backs. 

Returning to Wales from Bristol at the beginning of the season was a strong signal that he wants to feature for the national team, and his run of form with admittedly struggling Scarlets would indicate he should be in the mix. 

It is worth noting, however, that he has not pulled on the red jersey of Wales since 2020 and has, therefore, not featured for Gatland to date. His versatility as both a fly-half and fullback option is working significantly in his favor. 

Alternative options: Cai Evans (Dragons), Dan Edwards (Ospreys), Callum Sheedy (Bristol Bears) 

England 

George Ford - Sale Sharks

Far and away the most experienced option on this list, the 91 times capped George Ford likely would have been in a shootout with Farrell for the 10 shirt, had the England captain not stepped down. 

With his long-term teammate and friend now unavailable and seemingly on his way to the Top 14, Ford could prove to be both the first-choice fly-half and English captain this year. 

A master tactician with a sublime passing and kicking game, Ford is an old-school game manager in the best sense of the word. 

His wonderful performance against Argentina at the World Cup will go down in English Rugby history as one of the best individual performances in a white shirt. This is not meant to disparage Farrell’s contribution to English rugby, but his presence no doubt has hampered Ford. 

Forced to play in a dual playmaker role for an extended period under former coach Eddie Jones, the two players somewhat stifled each other on many occasions. Certainly, there were moments of good, but in reality, Farrell’s presence as both the alpha and leader for England meant Ford was more of a distributor than a decision-maker. 

Should he get a run as the undisputed 10, there is a very real possibility that he will remain in pole position for the next four years. 

Still just 30, Ford would arrive in Australia as a 34-year-old with quite possibly 130+ test caps to his name. 

Marcus Smith - Harlequins

Long regarded as the successor to Farrell’s throne, the 24-year-old could not be any different to both Farrell and the other options on this list. 

Marcus Smith is a baller in every sense of the word, possessing dazzling footwork and an eye for the gap; his talent is undeniable. 

The challenge he faces is that for him to be successful, Borthwick will need to completely rethink his preferred style of play and tactics. 

To date, Smith’s career has been a case of attempting to fit a square peg into a round hole. 

Starting with Eddie Jones and continuing with Borthwick, the Harlequins magician was a shell of himself playing alongside Farrell in an even more dramatic re-enactment of the Ford scenario. 

For the Smith experiment to work, he would need to be handed the keys to the England machine and backed to make it work. To date, Borthwick has been reluctant to take this step, but at the beginning of a new four-year journey, could he take the plunge? 

Fin Smith - Northampton Saints

The Northampton Saints will be thanking their lucky stars that Fin Smith became available in the wake of the Worcester Warriors downfall. 

The 21-year-old arguably is Borthwick's most viable long-term option, given his ability to combine what the England coach traditionally has favored with a strong running game. 

Like Ford, Smith is a sharpshooting kicker, both with his tactical and goal kicking, and like Ford, he is a great passer of the ball. 

While not nearly on the level of Smith in terms of running, he is significantly better than Ford and more physical on defense than both of his contenders for the shirt. 

Despite being called up to last year’s Six Nations squad, he remains uncapped, and should he not be selected again, he may decide to declare his allegiance to Scotland. 

Realistically, it would be foolish of Borthwick not to cap him, given both his form and the threat of him defecting north of the border. 

Experiencing Grand Slam success at the U20 level, Smith is used to success, and this has shown as he has played a major role in the Saints march to the top of the Premiership table and impressive Investec Champions Cup campaign to date. 

Alternative options: Harvey Skinner (Exeter Chiefs), Joe Simmonds (Pau), Charlie Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby)