Six Nations Championship: Week 1 predictions, odds and betting tips
An explosive two months of rugby action is all set for a sensational opening with Friday night’s clash between the French and Irish in Marseille.
The two teams have much in common. They were both superb in last autumn’s Rugby World Cup, they were nonetheless both defeated in high quality quarter finals, and they are also now both missing their most influential players - France are without Antoine Dupont and Ireland’s Johnny Sexton is now retired.
The two teams are also the two most likely winners of the championship so this first fixture might well determine the outcome of the title itself. England and Scotland, in particular, might have something to say about that, however, and they open their accounts on Saturday.
Let’s see how the bookies rate the teams, to win both the tournament and also in the Week 1 matches.
Here are the latest tournament odds from BoyleSports.
- France 6/5
- Ireland 6/4
- England 11/2
- Scotland 12/1
- Wales 28/1
- Italy 350/1
For our Six Nations Championship preview featuring outright and top try scorer picks click here. Our Matt Cooper is on a winning streak after tipping South Africa to win the Rugby World Cup and Will Jordan to be top try scorer.
We’re well used to the Six Nations providing a grandstand finale with its now traditional final day triple header. But this year’s opener could be up there with the best ever because when last seen both these teams were defeated in World Cup quarter finals of the very highest class.
The only problem is that France lacks their superstar Antoine Dupont, who is focused on winning a gold medal in the seven tournament at the Paris Olympics in the summer and Ireland too, are depleted. In their case because of the retirement of fly half Johnny Sexton. There remains enough quality to ensure top quality Friday night entertainment.
Here are the latest match odds for France v Ireland from bet365.
- France: 4/7
- Draw: 22/1
- Ireland: 13/8
The simply awe inspiring start by the French in their World Cup quarter final continues to live strong in the memory and there has to be a good chance they will once again explode from the blocks. The Irish proved in their own RWC last eight clash that they have deep wells of reserve but this will be a fierce task without the supreme generalship of Sexton. France are odds on to grab the win and we’ll take the half time/full time double based on the likelihood of a frantic start and an Irish outfit reliant on inexperience at fly half.
The last week has witnessed some sporting upsets for the ages: Maidstone United defeating Ipswich Town in the FA Cup, and England and the West Indies toppling cricket giants India and Australia respectively on home soil. But if Italy beat England it will be right up there.
In 12 visits to Rome in the Six Nations, England has never experienced defeat and only once came anywhere near close to doing so. England are missing Owen Farrell who is taking a mental health break from the international game, but that might make coach Steve Borthwick’s decision-making over his midfield a little more straightforward.
Here are the latest match odds for Italy v England from bet365.
- Italy: 8/1
- Draw: 40/1
- England: 1/14
England coach Borthwick is promising a new intensity, fuelled by the acquisition of assistant coach Felix Jones, so Italy could be in for a tough afternoon. With Farrell not around England will turn to the creative options of Marcus Smith or George Ford and the pair could find holes in an Italian outfit smashed onto the back foot by the Jones organised defence. Take them to pile on the points and cover the bet365 handicap of -17.5 points.
Here are our top rated rugby betting sites:
The Welsh have not only been hit by the departure of flying winger Louis Rees Zammit to NFL but also injuries to their co-captains Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake.
It would be foolish to underestimate the home coach Warren Gatland but his resources are beginning to look awfully thin. Scotland have a crop of players who have flattered to deceive in recent times. They’ve landed big match wins but are yet to compete in a tournament.
Here are the latest match odds for Wales v Scotland from bet365.
- Wales: 23/20
- Draw: 20/1
- Scotland: 4/5
That notion of Scotland having underperformed could be a big factor this February and March. Fly half Finn Russell is almost like the team in microcosm because he is very talented yet has the habit of doing something silly. For a long time the Scots struggled in Cardiff, losing eight times on the trot early in the 21st century. But they won on their second last visit and can do so again. The visitors should be backed to take a lead into half time and maintain it to 80 minutes.
- Location: Orange Velodrome, Marseille
- Date and Time: Friday February 2nd, 20:00
- How to watch: ITV, Virgin Media
- Location: Stadio Olimpico, Rome
- Date and Time: Saturday February 3rd, 14.15
- How to watch: ITV, Virgin Media
- Location: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
- Date and Time: Saturday February 3rd, 16:45
- How to watch: BBC, S4C, RTÉ
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