Six Nations Betting: What Are The Odds Of A Grand Slam In 2022?
Daire Walsh
France are the only team left in the running for the top prize and with three games still to play, but they have it all to do in their bid to secure a Six Nations Grand Slam.
Regarded by many as the in-form side in world rugby, Les Bleus are currently sitting on the summit of the Championship table on nine points after securing back-to-back victories over Italy and Ireland on home soil.
It is all of 12 years since they last won a Grand Slam – or, for that matter, the Six Nations – but the best betting sites for rugby union believe there is every possibility that Fabien Galthié’s charges will bridge this particular gap in 2022.
France Are Good Value For The Slam
France are valued at 6/4 to complete a clean sweep of honours in this year’s competition with the best betting sites.
Viewed as something of a shambles just a few short years ago, the French national team has been re-energised with the rise of players like Romain Ntamack and Antoine Dupont restoring the feel-good factor ahead of their hosting of next year’s World Cup finals.
There are three tough games on the horizon however, and the odds are still stacked in favour of there being no Grand Slam winner. William Hill are offering 4/7 on France falling short in their bid to record five consecutive Six Nations triumphs.
The common refrain with international coaches in the modern era is to take it one game at a time.
With that in mind, it is worthwhile examining each of France’s upcoming contests on an individual basis.
France Will Seek Payback Against Scotland
Going into their final fixture of the 2021 Championship – which was postponed from an earlier date due to a Covid outbreak within their squad – France were still in the frame for the Six Nations title having denied Wales a Grand Slam just under a week earlier.
Les Bleus looked set to finish just behind the Welsh on score difference when they led 23-20 in the dying moments of their clash with Scotland at Stade de France.
That was until Gregor Townsend’s charges pounced for a converted try courtesy of Duhan van der Merwe from virtually the last play of the game.
In addition to maintaining their winning momentum, France will be looking to gain revenge for this defeat when they visit the Scots at Murrayfield Stadium on February 26.
Despite their away successes over England and the French in last year’s Championship – and their opening round triumph at the expense of English in the 2022 edition – Scotland remain an enigma.
While they should have been on a high for their visit to Cardiff in last weekend’s round two encounter with Wales, Scotland ultimately flattered to deceive. Wayne Pivac’s hosts had suffered a chastening loss to Ireland in their first competitive game of the calendar year, but squeezed through with the help of 15 points from the boot of Dan Biggar.
There is every chance that they might turn on the style against France in their own backyard, but the general feeling at the moment is that their opponents won’t be caught out for a second year running and the 2022 Six Nations betting odds reflect that.
Ladbrokes are offering a price of 2/5 on a French win. By contrast, Scotland are viewed as 9/4 outsiders at best to come away with their second victory of the competition.
The prospect of a draw is viewed as a long shot with odds 33/1 available on some UK bookmakers.
Les Bleus Looking For Repeat Of Last Year’s Wales Win
While there aren’t any markets available for France’s game against Wales at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on March 11 – a fixture that will take place under Friday Night Lights – a France win over Scotland would most likely lead to similar odds being offered for them to extend their unbeaten run.
Given France managed to get the measure of a fully-stocked Wales in 2021, it is reasonable to assume they can do the same at a time when Cymru are missing so many big-name players.
Still, the Welsh will be rejuvenated as a result of their victory over Scotland and aren’t to be discounted in the Cardiff cauldron.
Indeed, Italy were the only side spread across the opening two rounds of the competition who didn’t record a home triumph.
It should also be pointed out that the Azzurri were only permitted to have a 50% capacity at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome for last Sunday’s reversal to England, so there can be no doubting how important it is to have a sold-out stadium at your disposal when welcoming a visiting nation.
Final Clash With England Is A Mouthwatering Affair
Although they might still be in the frame for the Championship by the time their final round clash with the French in Saint-Denis comes around on March 19, England would like nothing better than to spoil a Grand Slam.
It stung Eddie Jones’ men when Ireland prevented them from completing a clean sweep of silverware in the closing game of the 2017 Six Nations and should France still be in line for such an accolade by that point, this will be more than enough motivation for them to produce an almighty challenge.
Even though it was a less than stellar 2021 for England, they still claimed the spoils when France paid a visit to Twickenham Stadium – Maro Itoje’s late try getting the home team over the line in the end.
Nonetheless, France have held the edge in their last two meetings with England in the Parisienne suburb of Saint-Denis and it remains one of the most intimidating venues in world rugby.
If the half-back axis of Dupont and Ntamack can fire on all cylinders, there is no reason why they can’t still be in the reckoning for a Grand Slam by the time England make their return to Stade de France.