One of the oldest Rugby Union tournaments in the calendar and still one of the most prestigious and fiercely contested, the Six Nations tournament began last weekend with three games featuring England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France and Italy across Europe and there were some notable results in what proved to be an eye-opening first week of games.
The pre-tournament favourites England were humbled in Paris, falling to a 24-0 deficit to a young France side before a late rally cut that back to 24-17, to earn Eddie Jones’ team a bonus point. Scotland also picked up a bonus point despite a 19-12 defeat to Ireland, while Wales romped to a bonus point in their thrashing of Italy.
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Let’s now take a look at how the fixtures turned out in the opening week of games.
Six Nations Week One Results & Table
- Wales 42-0 Italy – Bonus Points Earned – Wales 1, Italy 0
- Ireland 19-12 Scotland – Bonus Points Earned – Ireland 0, Scotland 1
- France 24-17 England – Bonus Points Earned – France 0, England 1
Six Nations Table
- Wales – 5 pts
- France – 4 pts
- Ireland – 4 pts
- England – 1pt
- Scotland – 1pt
- Italy – 0 pts
How Points and Bonus Points are earned in the Six Nations
- The Six Nations awards four points for a win, 2 for a draw and 0 for a defeat.
- In addition to this any team that scores four or more tries in a game will earn one bonus point.
- If a team only loses a match by seven points or fewer, then they earn a bonus point.
- If a team wins the Grand Slam (by beating all five opponents) then they will automatically receive three additional bonus points (ensuring that they win the Six Nations title).
Current Tournament Betting Odds
- England – 9/4 favourites
- France – 5/2
- Wales – 11/4
- Ireland – 7/2
- Scotland – 66/1
- Italy – 2000/1
England have drifted in the betting following their defeat in Paris but remain the slight favourites, while the French teams odds have been slashed to second favourites, however Wales and Ireland are both rated as having a decent chance of landing what should be one of the most open tournaments in many years. Scotland are a somewhat generous 66/1 to win while Italy, as always, are the rank outsiders.
Six Nations Week Two Preview
Saturday 8th February
Ireland v Wales (2.15pm)
Both of these two teams head to Dublin this weekend having picked up a win in their opening game, although Wales have the slight advantage thanks to their bonus point that they landed by running in more than four tries against the hapless Italian team. That said, Wayne Pivac’s team produced a clinical display which means that they will head into this tough trip in a positive frame of mind.
After a less than stellar World Cup performance, Andy Farrell’s new Ireland side is a mix of familiar older faces and a backbone of newer, less experienced stars and while they prevailed against Scotland at home last time out, this more experienced and more talented Welsh side will give the Irish side a much more difficult test.
Wales won the Grand Slam last season and have now won all of their last nine games in the Six Nations, a fine run and one that I think won’t be ended here as I am backing the Welsh, even though they are slight underdogs, to claim a narrow win here.
Our Tips for Ireland v Wales
- Wales to win (+3.5 handicap) – Evens
- Wales to win by 1-10 points. 11/4
Scotland v England (4.45pm)
With both of these teams on the wrong end of a defeat last time out, there is no doubt that a second loss here would make their chances of lifting the Six Nations title almost impossible, not to mention losing the Calcutta Cup. A couple of years ago, Scotland ended a run of nine consecutive wins by England in this fixture, winning at Murrayfield, before their astonishing second half comeback in a 38-38 draw at Twickenham last year.
England’s performance in Paris was poor, especially in the opening hour or so of the game and Eddie Jones will know that a similar performance here against the Scots will likely end his team’s hopes of following up their World Cup Runners Up spot with a Six Nations triumph.
However, Scotland’s young side are missing a number of key players, notably Finn Russell and I think that just about plays into England’s hands. This won’t be a game of many points I don’t feel but I think England will do just enough to claim the victory, though with Scotland being handed a generous +8.5 handicap, I think they are the team to back in this market.
Our Tips for Scotland v England
- Scotland to win (+8.5 handicap) – 10/11
- England to win by 1-10 points – 7/4
Sunday 9th February
France v Italy (3pm)
Fabien Galthie’s young French side produced a superb display to disarm England for the majority of their win in Paris last weekend, and although they struggled a little late on in the game, they ran out deserved winners against the favourites for this year’s trophy.
With their focus on building a team to make a real fist of going for the World Cup on home soil in 2023, the French have made an excellent start to the campaign and I can see them running out comfortable winners as they face a struggling Italy in Saint Denis this weekend.
The Italians non-scoring performance against Wales was a real disappointment for a team that seem to take two steps forward and then three back at times and while I can see them at least scoring in Paris, I still feel the French will run out very easy winners.
Our Tips for France v Italy
- France to win (-26 handicap) – 10/11
- France to win by 31-40 points – 3/1
