Six Nations Round 2 Betting Tips – 11th & 12th February 2017

After a thrilling first weekend of RBS Six Nations rugby, thankfully we don’t have to wait too long for our second fix of tournament action. Scotland and Ireland got this year’s Six Nations underway, with the Scots securing a surprising but deserved 27-22 win at Murrayfield Stadium.

Also on Saturday, England and France played out a tense and tight affair at Twickenham, with Eddie Jones’ English narrowly winning by a 19-16 scoreline. As expected, although they did not have it all their own way, Wales cruised to victory in Rome, sealing a comprehensive 33-7 win.

This Saturday, Italy and Ireland get this round of Six Nations fixtures underway at the Stadio Olimpico, with Wales and England taking centre stage in Cardiff later in the day.

Sunday sees France and Scotland go head-to-head at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis. With Wales, Scotland and England on four points, who can steal a march on their rivals in week 2?

  • Italy v Ireland – Ireland to Win -20 (10/11 at Sky Bet)
  • Wales v England – Wales to Win (15/8 at Coral)
  • France v Scotland – France to Win -6 (10/11 at Ladbrokes)

Italy v Ireland – 11th February

This weekend, Joe Schmidt’s Ireland will be looking to get their first 2017 Six Nations points on the board, when they travel to the Stadio Olimpico to play Conor O’Shea’s Italy. The Italians were outstanding in the first half against Wales last Sunday, ultimately running out of steam in the end.

As for the Irish, they crashed to a somewhat surprising defeat to the Scots, with the majority of the damage being done in the first half. After going in to the break 21-8 down, Ireland gave themselves a mountain to climb in the second half.

Nonetheless, the Irish head to Rome as the overwhelming favourites to claim the win. Schmidt’s boys are priced at just 1/16 with most bookies, so we prefer Sky Bet’s tempting odds of 10/11 for Ireland to win with a -20 point handicap at the Stadio Olimpico.

Ireland to Win -20 – 10/11 at Sky Bet

Wales v England – 11th February

The standout fixture of the round comes from the Principality Stadium, Cardiff, as old rivals Wales and England square off. The fact that both won their opening fixtures adds even more fuel to the fire. The English, who are unbeaten under Jones, head to the capital of Wales as the 1/2 favourites (Betfair), but the Dragons will have other ideas.

For the first 40 minutes on Sunday, Rob Howley’s Wales were sluggish at best in Rome. Despite being strong favourites prior to Sunday’s showdown, the Welsh went into the break 7-3 down. However, a second-half fightback spared Wales’ blushes. England, meanwhile, earned a hard-fought, narrow 19-16 win over the French at Twickenham.

With far superior opponents than Italy to face this weekend, Howley’s side will have to be much smarter on Saturday. Although Jones remains unbeaten as England coach, we fancy the home side to edge this one. Coral have a Wales victory available at 15/8.

Wales to Win – 15/8 at Coral

France v Scotland – 12th February

After their heroics last weekend, Vern Cotter’s Scotland head to the Stade de France this Sunday to face Guy Noves’ France looking to build on their excellent win over the Irish. The Scots have never lifted the Six Nations trophy, but victory on Sunday will no doubt have the Scottish faithful dreaming of success.

Noves’ troops were simply outstanding against the Irish last Saturday. First-half tries from Stuart Hogg (2) and Alex Dunbar helped give the Scots a commanding 21-8 lead at half time. Although they faced a testing second half against a frequently rampant Ireland, the home side held on for an invaluable four points. As for the French, they put in a brave display at Twickenham, coming up just short in the end.

Cotter’s men may have been outstanding in Edinburgh at the weekend, but we can’t see them following that up with another win this Sunday. However, we’re still predicting a tight match to unfold between these two. Ladbrokes are offering the tasty odds of 10/11 for Noves’ France to win with a -6 point handicap, a price we believe is worth having a punt on.

France to Win -6 – 10/11 at Ladbrokes