Andrew Baldock, PA Sport Rugby Union Correspondent, makes his predictions for the next 12 months

The crystal ball has gathered a fair bit of dust - probably on a par with England’s trophy cabinet - since it was last used 12 months ago.

But, cleaning job completed, a look ahead to 2009 reveals the shining image of a gripping British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa.

It proves the sporting event of the year, packed with great rugby and great memories - and the right result for Lions fans who will travel in their thousands.

Before the tour gets under way in late May, though, RBS 6 Nations, Heineken Cup and Guinness Premiership silverware will be among the trophies handed out.

Right, it’s time to go to the ball…..

RBS 6 NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP
Autumn Test form points to Wales successfully defending the title they won in Grand Slam fashion last season.

Ryan Jones and company face three games on the road, though - Scotland away, first up, could prove a treacherous opener - so another clean sweep looks unlikely.

But Wales should still be good enough to retain the trophy, edging out second-placed Ireland, with France, England and the Scots scrapping for third.

LIONS’ FIRST TEAM VERSUS SOUTH AFRICA
Lee Byrne (Wales); Tommy Bowe (Ireland), Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland), Gavin Henson (Wales), Shane Williams (Wales); Danny Cipriani (England), Mike Phillips (Wales); Gethin Jenkins (Wales), Dylan Hartley (England), Euan Murray (Scotland), Alun-Wyn Jones (Wales), Paul O’Connell (Ireland, capt), Ryan Jones (Wales), David Wallace (Ireland), Andy Powell (Wales).
Replacements: Ross Ford (Scotland), Adam Jones (Wales), Donncha O’Callaghan (Ireland), Lewis Moody (England), Mike Blair (Scotland), James Hook (Wales), Delon Armitage (England).

TEST SERIES OUTCOME
The Lions last won a Test series almost 12 years ago - in South Africa under the direction of 2009 head coach Ian McGeechan.

Can history, therefore, repeat itself?

I back the tourists to emulate their 1997 victory at King’s Park, Durban - venue this time around for the first Test - but believe world champions South Africa will bounce back by winning in Pretoria before the Lions edge a Johannesburg thriller and take the series 2-1.

HEINEKEN CUP
A tough one to call, this, but when in doubt always go for the tried and tested, so it is Munster or Toulouse for European glory following some enthralling knockout rugby that will see English outsiders Harlequins feature strongly in the mix.

GUINNESS PREMIERSHIP
No reason to change my prediction of last summer - Bath for the title.

London Irish, pure box-office material at present, will falter agonisingly in the unforgiving environment of play-off rugby, with Sale Sharks and Gloucester also progressing to the semi-finals.

Bristol, meanwhile, are relegated after Jonny Wilkinson returns from injury to keep Newcastle up.

MAGNERS LEAGUE
Probably a three-way fight between the Ospreys, Munster and Leinster, with the Welsh region shading it following a title race that goes to the wire.

EDF ENERGY CUP
Two Welsh sides battling it out for a trophy at Twickenham? The Barbour brigade’s nightmare scenario should unfold on April 18 when Cardiff Blues tackle the Ospreys - and beat them, narrowly.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Wales star Gavin Henson will at last convert rich potential into consistent world-class form for his country, the Lions and the Ospreys, remaining injury-free.

COACH OF THE YEAR
Robbie Deans. Australia’s national coach will continue driving the Wallabies’ progress on the road to World Cup 2011 in his native New Zealand. They might not win the Tri-Nations, but they should go close.

EXPECT TO SEE OR HEAR IN 2009
* Shane Williams reaching the 50-try milestone for Wales.
* England players talking about “taking the positives” from Six Nations title-ending defeats against Wales and Ireland.
* New Zealand once again doing what they always do - beating everyone in a non-World Cup year.
* Jonny Wilkinson playing for England again.
* Richard Hill landing a top Premiership job after Bristol drop into National League One.
* Confirmation of the first Monday morning Six Nations kick-off for 2010 after this season’s Friday night experiment between France and Wales in Paris proves the ultimate in home advantage on the grounds that no away fans could get there. Next up is Ireland versus Italy at Croke Park - just after breakfast.

DON’T EXPECT TO SEE OR HEAR IN 2009
* Australian rugby chief John O’Neill hailing the northern hemisphere game as a worldwide model for the sport.
* The International Rugby Board dismissing the global trial of ELVs (Experimental Law Variations) as a pointless exercise.
* Super 14 referees disallowing tries for forward passes.
* Referees worldwide brandishing a yellow card in the first minute for an identical offence they would show one for in the 78th.
* Welsh Rugby Union boss Roger Lewis and Welsh regions chief David Moffett enjoying a spot of Sunday lunch together.
* Sir Clive Woodward lauding Rob Andrew as the saviour of English rugby.