Six Nations Betting Odds: Who Will Win This Year’s Championship?

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Six Nations Betting Odds: Who Will Win This Year’s Championship?

Following a fascinating opening weekend that saw the last two winners of the tournament making bright starts, betting sites are once again giving their considered takes on who the main challengers are for this year’s Six Nations Championship.

Ireland, France and Scotland were the winners in round one of the tournament, and the Green Army and Les Bleus lead the early betting markets.  

There is plenty more rugby to be played, however, so the odds are sure to change many times in the coming weeks.

Ireland, France And Scotland Triumph

Title holders for the last two years, Ireland began life under new interim head coach Simon Easterby with a 27-22 triumph over England at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

Under the watchful eye of main supremo Andy Farrell – taking a sabbatical from the side to concentrate on his duties with the British & Irish Lions – the Irish did find themselves 10-5 behind at the interval in Dublin.

Yet with Bundee Aki, Tadhg Beirne and Dan Sheehan all crossing the line to supplement a first-half effort from Jamison Gibson-Park, Ireland emerged with maximum points from a tense duel with their arch-rivals.

Some might see this display as a statement of intent from the Irish, but the same could be said about 2022 champions France, who secured an emphatic 43-0 win against Wales in Saint-Denis on Friday

Antoine Dupont was returning to the Six Nations after taking a break in 2023 to focus on his commitments with the French 7s, and he played a pivotal role as Les Bleus convincingly put Warren Gatland’s men to the sword.

Meanwhile, Scotland avenged their round four reversal to Italy in last year’s tournament by seeing off the Azzurri at Murrayfield Stadium. 

Huw Jones registered a hat-trick of tries in a 31-19 bonus point success for the Scots.

Six Nations Championship Odds

Nation

Odds

Bookmaker

France

11/10

William Hill

Ireland

11/8

William Hill

England

11/1

Spreadex

Scotland

12/1

BoyleSports

Wales

500/1

Spreadex

Italy

500/1

BoyleSports

France Slight Favourites

In advance of the opening round, many betting apps viewed France and Ireland as joint-favourites for this year’s Six Nations. 

Their respective wins last weekend keep both of them very much in the mix, but the French are slightly ahead of their Irish counterparts in the betting stakes ahead of their visit to Twickenham Stadium to face England this Saturday.

With William Hill, France are currently rated as 11/10 favourites to get their hands on the Championship crown for the first time since 2022.

It seems extraordinary given their rich pedigree in the tournament, but that success three years ago is the only one Les Bleus have enjoyed in the past 15 years. 

Yet with the aforementioned Dupont continuing to play sparkling rugby, many see Fabien Galthie’s charges as not only likely winners of the championship but also of a Grand Slam.

Ireland Hot On France’s Tails

However, if any team is going to bring a halt to their title march, then Ireland look to be best placed to do so amongst the remaining contenders. 

Winning a third consecutive Six Nations would be a major achievement for the boys in green and they will go into Sunday’s away trip to Scotland with plenty of confidence.

The battle between Sam Prendergast and Jack Crowley for the out-half berth in this Irish team remains a fascinating one and the latter will be hopeful of getting the nod after helping his country to close out last Saturday’s tie in impressive style. 

At 11/8 with William Hill, Ireland may not be the current favourites for the Championship, but they are very much in the reckoning for the top prize again.

England Dark Horses After Loss To Ireland

While a Grand Slam and a Triple Crown have now been eliminated from the equation, England are still in contention for an overall Six Nations success. 

However, last Saturday’s defeat to Ireland put them on the back foot, and another loss to France this weekend would likely leave them with too much of a mountain to climb.

Yet, being back at Twickenham will help Steve Borthwick’s side on Saturday. 

With the 10-12-13 axis of Marcus Smith, Henry Slade and Ollie Lawrence capable of offering them attacking momentum, the tournament’s most successful team can’t be dismissed lightly. 

That said, the odds of 11/1 available with several rugby betting sites suggest they are currently dark horses at best heading into round two.

Scotland Outsiders Despite Positive Start

The same could be said about Scotland, despite the fact they are level on points with both France and Ireland in the Championship standings – and ahead of the latter on score difference. 

It is widely acknowledged that Gregor Townsend’s Scots are capable of beating any team in this competition on their day but lack the consistency to sustain a title challenge.

Additionally, Ireland have won their last seven clashes against Scotland in the Six Nations and will be expected to extend that winning run this weekend. 

Although a first victory since 2017 over their Celtic cousins would leave them in a nice position, the Scots are available at just 12/1 with BoyleSports at the time of writing.

Nonetheless, UK bookmakers are giving far more consideration to a Six Nations triumph for Scotland than they are for either Wales or Italy – who will get the round two action underway at Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Saturday afternoon.

Wales And Italy Out Of The Reckoning

Even though some bookies are siding with either Wales or Italy as distant fifth favourites for the Championship, several others – including Spreadex – are offering 500/1 on both of them for an unlikely title success.

While Wales have won the Six Nations on six occasions since the tournament expanded in 2000, they are currently at a low ebb with just two wins in their last 16 Championship outings. 

Warren Gatland has also overseen 13 consecutive Test losses in his second spell as Welsh head coach. 

Following a heavy opening-round defeat to France, his troops will have their work cut out to overcome Italy on Saturday.

The Italians are coming into this year’s Six Nations on the back of picking up two wins and a draw in the 2024 Championship. 

There was plenty of encouragement to take from their first-round loss to Scotland – finding themselves on level terms in the 46th minute before the Scots regained the initiative.

They are still some way off forging a serious challenge for top honours.

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