With just two rounds of 2018 Six Nations fixtures left, Joe Schmidt’s Ireland currently lead the way on 14 points having won three out of three so far. As a result, the Irish are now odds-on favourites to lift the trophy later in the month. This Saturday, Ireland get the tournament back up and running with a mouth-watering match with Gregor Townsend’s Scotland at the Aviva Stadium.
Later in the day, Jacques Brunel’s France welcome Eddie Jones’ England to the Stade de France for an intriguing fixture. After losing in Glasgow last time out, the English will be keen to make amends in Saint-Denis and know they simply have to record a convincing win. The penultimate round draws to a close when Warren Gatland’s Wales and Conor O’Shea’s Italy meet in Cardiff on Sunday afternoon.
- Ireland v Scotland – Ireland HT/FT (8/13 at Bet365)
- France v England – England to Win -7 (10/11 at Betfair)
- Wales v Italy – Wales to Win -29 (10/11 at Betfred)
Ireland v Scotland – 10th March
Ireland have looked the real deal in this year’s Six Nations so far, and Schmidt’s men are going to take some stopping from winning their first championship since 2015. This Saturday, Scotland, who stunned England last time out, will be looking to cause another upset when they travel to Dublin. If they can do so they will give themselves an outside shot at glory but they will certainly blow the championship wide open.
After scoring 108 points and conceding just 59, Ireland lead the way at the top of the championship table on 14 points from three games. With the English to come at Twickenham Stadium after hosting the Scots, things are looking good for the Irish. However, Townsend’s men will be doing their very best to make life hard for their hosts, especially after their impressive 25-13 win over the pre-tournaments favourites at Murrayfield Stadium a couple of weeks back.
Ireland have an excellent recent record over Scotland in Dublin, and the leaders should be too strong for Townsend’s brave Scots in the Aviva at the weekend. The home team will be looking to dominate this one, so back Ireland to be winning at half time and full time at 8/13 with Bet365.
Ireland HT/FT – 8/13 at Bet365
France v England – 10th March
England will be hoping to shrug off the disappointment of losing in Glasgow by getting back to winning ways at the first time of asking on Saturday. As for the French, who picked up their first victory of the 2018 tournament by seeing off Italy in Marseille last time out, they will fancy their chances of pulling off a shock result in the Stade de France.
Many people had England down as their favourites to win their third successive Six Nations tournament, but after losing at Murrayfield in their previous outing, defeat in France this Saturday will almost certainly end their title hopes. After a promising start with two hard-fought wins over Italy and Wales, Jones’ side were second best in the Scottish capital a fortnight ago.
France, meanwhile, who had been unlucky in the early rounds of the tournament, secured a deserved 34-17 win over the Italians at the Stade Velodrome in their last match. Brunel’s troops currently occupy fifth spot on six points but will be optimistic they can finish higher.
Despite defeat in Glasgow, Jones’ side will be expecting to hit back right away against France. On their way to the 2016 trophy, England beat France 31-21 in Saint-Denis. We fancy something similar to unfold on Saturday, so take a punt on the English to win -7 (10/11 at Betfair).
England to Win -7 – 10/11 at Betfair
Wales v Italy – 11th March
The final match of the round takes place at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff as Wales host Italy on Sunday. The Welsh may have had a mixed bag of results, but their performances have been excellent so far. Gatland’s Dragons head into this one against the bottom nation as the overwhelming favourites to put all five points on the board.
After a stunning 34-7 win over Scotland in Cardiff in their opener, Wales have fallen to two narrow defeats since. Having controversially lost 12-6 at Twickenham in a spirited display against England, Gatland’s side were then seen off by a 37-27 scoreline by Ireland in Dublin two weeks ago. As for the Azzurri, they have been heavily beaten by England, Ireland and France respectively, with O’Shea’s boys sitting rock bottom on zero points as a consequence.
In all honesty, this should be a stroll in the park for Wales. Since Italy arrived in this tournament back in 2000, they have only beaten the Welsh twice. We’re backing the home team to win this one with ease, and we fell there’s strong value in Betfred’s odds of 10/11 for Wales to win -29 on Sunday.
Wales to Win -29 – 10/11 at Betfred