The 2018 Six Nations Championship gets underway in Cardiff on Saturday afternoon as Wales and Scotland lock horns at the Principality Stadium. We’re all set for what will be another enthralling tournament between these six rugby rivals, but who will lift the trophy in March?
This will be the 19th series of the annual Six Nations Championship, which was extended from the Five Nations in 2000. England and Ireland head in as the bookies’ favourites, but the likes of Scotland, Wales and France are more than capable of causing an upset. Having won the last two editions, can any nation stop Eddie Jones’ England in 2018?
Who Will Win The Six Nations?
England head into this tournament as the clear favourites to lift the trophy for the third successive year. Jones has done a remarkable job since arriving at Twickenham Stadium in 2015, turning the English into a rugby powerhouse once again.
England have lost just one of their last 10 Six Nations matches, although that loss did come to Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in the final game of last year’s tournament. Nevertheless, it’s a tremendous record which Jones and his players should be very proud of.
Having said that, if any team are to beat England to the title, it’s Joe Schmidt’s Ireland. The Irish have a very good side, and if they can kick-start their tournament with a win in France, anything is possible for the rest of their campaign. There’s a strong possibility that it could go down to the final day between Ireland and England at Twickenham on 17th March. Schmidt’s men are available at around 15/8 to win the competition.
Wales are normally in the mix of favourites in the betting, but with so many injury concerns, they are not fancied too much this time around. In fact, Warren Gatland’s men are available at the eye-opening price of 20/1 to win their first Six Nations Championship in five years. In reality, the Dragons’ main aim will be to finish above the likes of France, Scotland and Italy.
We then have Scotland as third favourites, something we have never seen in the history of the Six Nations. The Scots have not prevailed since 1990 – when it was the Five Nations – but they have shown signs of being back to their best over the last couple of years. Scotland are priced at odds of 11/1 with Coral to cause a shock. Meanwhile, France are available at 25/1 at Ladbrokes, while you can get Italy at 1000/1 with BetVictor.
However, we can’t see any other outcome than England retaining their crown come March. Jones may have his injury concerns, but his boys are the team to beat, even with a depleted squad. Our money is on Betfair’s 21/20 for England to reign supreme in 2018.
Betting Tip – England to win the Six Nations at 21/20 with Betfair
Top Tryscorer
This year’s Six Nations tournament will be blessed with plenty of world-class talent. The majority of teams may have injury-ravaged squads, but there’s still an abundance of ability on show. The standout favourites to be top tryscorer are England’s Jonny May and Ireland’s Keith Earls, which could make for a fascinating battle.
Earls had a fantastic tournament last year, scoring three tries over the five games. However, with England expected to dominate again, Leicester Tigers man May could be their shining light. The 27-year-old winger is available at 9/1 with Betfred to finish top of the pile this year.
Betting Tip – Jonny May at 9/1 with Betfred
To Finish Bottom
Italy usually finish bottom each year, and we can’t see that changing this time around. It used to be a two-way battle between the Italians and the Scots to avoid finishing bottom, but Scotland have come on leaps and bounds over the last few years, and are predicted to have a fine tournament under Gregor Townsend in 2018.
Wales have several injury problems, but we can’t see them propping up the table come mid-March. France are as unpredictable as ever but, like Wales, are too good to finish bottom. Both Wales and France are priced at 25/1 (Betfair), while Scotland are 20/1 with Ladbrokes. Therefore, despite being odds-on, the smart money is on Conor O’Shea’s Italy to end their tournament in sixth place, which is available at 1/10 with Betfred.
Betting Tip – Italy at 1/10 with Betfred
Outsiders and Other Bets
In terms of outside chances, Scotland certainly have the potential to cause the big boys one or two problems in this year’s championship. Like we said, the Scots are a different animal these days, and with big injuries to Wales, Ireland and England, they might be ones to watch this year. At 11/1, it could be worth having a punt on the Scots.
The Grand Slam may well be decided on the final weekend of the tournament between Ireland and England at Twickenham. With both teams fancied to win their opening four games, that match in south west London promises to be a blockbuster.
The English are 5/2 with Betfair to win the Grand Slam, while the best odds you can get on Ireland to go through the card are 7/2 at Ladbrokes. However, Bet365’s evens for there to be no Grand Slam winner seems the safest choice of bet here.
With England favourites and Ireland not too far behind, Betfred’s 2/1 for an England/Ireland straight forecast looks a very good bet. The same two in the other order is available at 5/2 with the same bookie. Meanwhile, an England/Ireland dual forecast is priced at 10/11. If you fancy the Scots to win the tournament outright, take advantage of Betfred’s 20/1 for a Scotland/England forecast.
As we touched on, with Ireland having to travel to Twickenham on the final day of the tournament, it’s advantage England. However, there’s an awful lot of rugby to be played before then.