Six Nations Betting: What Are The Odds Of A Grand Slam In 2022?
Following an exciting opening weekend of action, the race for a Six Nations Championship Grand Slam is becoming much clearer.
As is generally the case after the first round of fixtures – as there has only been two draws in the competition since 2013 – three teams are ruled out of the race for a Slam success, but are not necessarily out of the reckoning for a Championship title.
The best betting sites are offering some interesting odds on the three remaining teams in the hunt for a five-game winning march to Six Nations supremacy, though first it is worthwhile examining once again how likely it is that this won’t be achieved for a third consecutive season.
No Grand Slam Champion Remains A Distinct Possibility
With the second round of the competition fast approaching, the best betting sites for rugby union are all offering 4/6 for there to be no Grand Slam winner in 2022.
With Covid-19 still having some impact on squad selection, it is possibly the safest imaginable bet at the moment.
Granted, there are signs that the worst of the global pandemic is now behind us and when you consider the eight-month delay before the Championship was eventually completed in 2020, there are certainly fewer obstacles for any nation that has a design on securing a Grand Slam during the current window.
A Covid outbreak in the French camp led to the postponement of their clash with Scotland around this time last year and while a disruption of this kind could potentially happen again, it appears to be all systems go for now.
Still, even if there are question marks over the consistency of virtually every team in the Six Nations, at least one team in the competition will be feeling much better about their Slam chances at the end of the coming weekend.
France Lead Six Nations Grand Slam Battle For Now
Despite the stubborn opening period resistance of their opponents, France kick-started their Championship campaign with a 37-10 bonus point triumph over Italy at Stade de France in Saint-Denis last Sunday.
Overwhelming favourites to prevail, Les Bleus fell 7-3 behind in front of 78,750 spectators during the first quarter of the contest.
A single point ahead with time almost up in the first half, Gabin Villière grabbed a try to give France additional breathing space. The Toulon winger went on to complete his hat-trick on the resumption as the hosts eased themselves towards an expected victory.
This was a case of mission accomplished and although it was a far from perfect display, there can be no underestimating the power of a packed-out Stade de France. After welcoming Ireland to their home turf on Saturday, they will round off the competition by hosting England in Saint-Denis on March 19.
The best odds on them winning all three home games – as well as back-to-back away tussles with Scotland and Wales – on their way to claiming a first Grand Slam since 2010 can be found with MansionBet at 3/1.
There is a sense that the French national team are at their strongest level for several years and the 2022 Six Nations betting odds seem to suggest this is the perfect opportunity for Les Bleus to show how far they’ve progressed.
Don’t Dismiss Ireland Lightly In Grand Slam Race
Stade de France hasn’t always been the happiest hunting ground for Ireland, who have won just three times in 11 visits to the Parisienne suburbs since the Six Nations was first established in 2000. Nonetheless, each of these victories has had its own significance and will undoubtedly put a pep in Ireland’s step this weekend.
Back in 2000, Brian O’Driscoll announced himself on the world rugby stage with a hat-trick of tries in a 27-25 success. It took them 14 years to win again in Stade de France, but when they did, it earned them the first of three Six Nations titles under Joe Schmidt.
Their 2018 trip to Saint-Denis almost ended in frustration for Ireland, until a superb stoppage-time drop goal from Jonathan Sexton secured a dramatic victory for the visitors. This helped to build momentum and Ireland were to finish the year as Grand Slam champions for just the third time in their history.
The prospect of them climbing this particular ladder again in 2022 is still a live possibility, as reflected by the 11/2 odds Unibet are offering up for Ireland to become Grand Slam heroes again.
They showed what they could do in defeating an admittedly depleted Wales at the Aviva Stadium last Saturday on a final score of 29-7, but Andy Farrell’s charges will be seeking to avoid a third straight reversal to the French. However, they will now have to do so without the injured Sexton.
Scotland Are Grand Slam Outsiders, But Can Dare To Dream
Gregor Townsend’s Scotland have already bagged a piece of silverware in the form of the Calcutta Cup – the annual prize on offer when England and the Scots meet in a Test match. This is the second year in succession they have managed this feat and there is confidence within their group ahead of an away clash with Celtic rivals Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.
A much-discussed penalty try on 66 minutes helped to give Scotland the edge over England at Murrayfield Stadium last weekend, which brought to an end the Grand Slam and Triple Crown hopes of their opponents in one foul swoop.
Though Townsend has Scotland in a good place, they are viewed as third favourites for a Grand Slam behind France and Ireland.
Nonetheless, bet365 are offering 14/1 on the Scots pulling off their first-ever Six Nations Slam (they won it three times during the Five Nations era), and they remain a side to watch out for.