The eagerly anticipated 2017 RBS Six Nations rugby union tournament gets underway this Saturday. After winning the Grand Slam last year, Eddie Jones’ England go into the competition as the hot favourites to come out on top yet again. However, with the likes of Ireland and Wales tipped to push the holders all the way, we should be in for an enthralling Six Nations championship.
England kick off the defence of their title with a tough looking match at Twickenham against Guy Noves’ France. Earlier in the day, Scotland and Ireland get the tournament up and running at Murrayfield Stadium. Warren Gatland’s Wales begin their Six Nations journey on Sunday, as they travel to the Stadio Olimpico, Rome to play Italy.
- Scotland v Ireland – Ireland to Win -5 (Evens at Bet365)
- England v France – England to Win -13 (Evens at Bet365)
- Italy v Wales – Wales to be Winning at Half Time and Full Time (4/7 at Betfair)
Six Nations Outright
As we touched on, England are the clear favourites to lift the crown, with most bookies offering odds as short as 4/5. Joe Schmidt’s Ireland, who won this competition back in 2014 and 2015, are the 5/2 second favourites with Betfair and others. Meanwhile, the Welsh are available at a tempting price of 9/1 with Coral, whilst you can get Noves’ France at 14’s with Sky Bet, if you are so inclined.
Scotland v Ireland – 4th February
The 2017 RBS Six Nations begins on Saturday with the tasty fixture between Vern Cotter’s Scotland and Joe Schmidt’s Ireland. Nearly 70,000 fans are set to pack out Murrayfield, and the home faithful will be hoping their side can cause a shock.
Going into Saturday’s showdown in Edinburgh, the hosts are the big underdogs. However, some might be tempted by Bet365’s generous odds of 2/1 for the Scots to claim what would be a momentous victory. Betfair have the best odds on an Irish win, pricing Schmidt’s men at 8/15. In truth, this is a game Ireland should be looking to win, especially if they have aspirations of lifting this year’s Six Nations trophy.
We feel it will be an interesting match in the Scottish capital, but we do believe Ireland will come out on top in the end with relative ease. The standout bet is Ireland to win with a -5 point handicap, which is available at evens with Bet365.
Ireland to Win -5 – Evens at Bet365
England v France – 4th February
The eye-opening fixture of the first round of matches in this year’s Six Nations is without doubt the huge clash at Twickenham, as England host France on Saturday. With Eddie Jones putting his unbeaten record as England boss on the line, the French would love to become the first team to beat them under the Australian.
During the early years of the Six Nations (since 2000), France were a dominant force. However, after winning the competition in 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2007, the French last won the Six Nations back in 2010. As for England, last year’s triumph was their first crown since 2011. This time around, as with most years recently, it’s difficult to know which France are going to turn up. Nevertheless, we will have a better indication come Saturday evening.
Being at home, Jones’ troops are the strong favourites to get their tournament underway with a handsome victory. At 1/7, there’s no point backing England just to win, we think Betfair’s evens for England to win and to overcome a -13 point handicap offers much better value.
England to Win -13 – 1/1 at Bet365
Italy v Wales – 5th February
On Sunday, Warren Gatland’s Wales travel to Rome to take on Conor O’Shea’s Italy. The Italians’ number one priority will be to avoid being on the wrong end of a hiding in their opener. Meanwhile, with England to come at the Principally Stadium in Week 2, the Dragons will be looking to put some big points on the board at the Stadio Olimpico this weekend.
With a very strong squad, Gatland’s men could be the Dark Horses in this year’s Six Nations. Winners back in 2014, Wales be looking to go one better than their second-place finish from last year. The Welsh head to Rome as the huge 2/9 favourites with the bookies. The home team, meanwhile, are priced at 5/1 to cause an upset on their own patch.
We believe Wales will be far too strong for O’Shea’s Italy on Sunday. It’s a match that the away side should dominate from start to finish – therefore, Betfair’s 4/7 for Wales to be winning at half time and full time stands out above the rest.
Wales to be Winning at Half Time and Full Time – 4/7 at Betfair