Six Nations preview – Our tips to win this weekend
After a rip-roaring opening Six Nations weekend in which the new bosses of England and Wales suffered debut defeats, while Scotland and Ireland laid down markers – and France just squeezed past Italy – the teams go again.
Although Warren Gatland is in his second spell in charge of Wales, he’ll know the importance of bouncing back after defeat to Ireland, while Steve Borthwick simply has to win after England squandered an eight-point lead last time out. Meanwhile, something will have to give when pre-tournament favourites France and Ireland meet each other in Dublin.
BestOfBets previews this weekend’s action and picks out our winners (we only got one out of three last weekend, so time for an improvement!):
Ireland vs France, Saturday @ 2.15pm
It’s a shame, in a way, that these two teams have to meet so soon in the tournament, given they are the overwhelming favourites for the trophy. Ireland certainly have the edge this weekend, however, playing in front of their home crowd at the Aviva Stadium and with the momentum generated by last week’s thrashing of Wales.
France were ill-disciplined and sloppy against Italy, with only a late Matthieu Jalibert try sparing their blushes in Rome. But Les Bleus are on a 14-match winning streak in the Six Nations, having claimed the Grand Slam last year. It should be an absolute crackerjack contest.
The French represent the better value bet at 2/1, but there’s only a whisker between these two sides.
Our tip: France to win (2/1)
Scotland vs Wales, Saturday @ 4.45pm
All logic suggests Gregor Townsend’s side will march on, following their Calcutta Cup victory at Twickenham last weekend. But then again, Scotland and Wales are arguably the two most inconsistent sides in the Six Nations, so anything could happen at Murrayfield on Saturday evening – including a Welsh win against the 2/1 odds.
Gatland will be smarting after the nature of Wales’ defeat by Ireland in Cardiff and he’s made significant changes to his XV, trusting more in youth than experience this time around.
For once, though, Scotland seem capable of a genuine shot at this year’s title and this is a game they really ought not to lose. It may be closer than some are predicting, but the Scots should make it two from two.
Our tip: Scotland to win (2/5)
England vs Italy, Sunday @ 3pm
The fixture schedule couldn’t have been much kinder to Borthwick and his much-maligned England charges, with this game presenting a gilt-edged chance to chalk up a win to get the new coach off and running.
Italy, however, are not to be underestimated after the scare they gave France last weekend. In Tommaso Allan they have an excellent fly-half – a position in which Borthwick has a dilemma, given the Marcus Smith and Owen Farrell dynamic.
Despite all the well-documented issues, England should come away with a win, and it might be just the tonic they need to generate some momentum ahead of trickier games to come. It’s not a good value bet at 1/11 but it’s the likely outcome.
Our tip: England to win (1/11)
