Six Nations Betting: Who Are The Contenders For This Year’s Championship?
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Back again for a 26th season in its current format and with three intriguing battles set to take place this weekend, betting sites are offering odds for this year’s Six Nations Championship.
Having previously operated under the moniker of the Five Nations Championship, the tournament was expanded in 2000 when Italy accepted an invitation to take part.
There has been plenty of discussion over the future of the Azzurri in the Six Nations since, but they are back once again and will open their 2025 campaign away to Scotland in Edinburgh on Saturday afternoon.
This follows the tournament opener between France and Wales in Saint-Denis on Friday night, before Ireland and England complete the first round of fixtures with a tantalising duel at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday.
Ireland Chase Historic Third Successive Championship
Ireland will be seeking to make history in 2025 as the first nation to become Six Nations champions for a third successive season.
Given how competitive the tournament has become in modern times, this would represent a considerable achievement for the Green Army.
If they are to pull it off, it will be under the stewardship of interim head coach Simon Easterby – who is standing in for Andy Farrell while he focuses on his duties with the British & Irish Lions.
There might be some doubts over their ability to perform in the absence of coach Andy Farrell, but bookmakers still see Ireland as serious Six Nations contenders.
Despite the news that experienced tighthead prop Tadhg Furlong has been ruled out of Saturday’s game with England, Easterby’s side are available at a healthy 7/4 with BoyleSports to claim top honours.
There is no guarantee that the player who starts in the out-half position against England – Sam Prendergast and Jack Crowley are currently battling for the number 10 jersey – will finish the tournament in that pivotal role.
However, the feeling is that there is enough quality throughout the team to have a major tilt at another triumph.
France Share Favouritism For Six Nations Glory
Ahead of their showdown with Wales on Friday, France are currently rated as joint-favourites for the Six Nations at 7/4.
It would be a massive shock if Les Bleus didn’t get the better of Wales on home soil in their opening game.
And with the inspirational Antoine Dupont back in the saddle after missing last year’s tournament due to his commitments with the French 7s, there is every chance of them bridging a three-season gap to their last Six Nations success.
England Behind France And Ireland In Six Nations Betting
Having denied Ireland a shot at back-to-back Grand Slams by overcoming them in round four of the 2024 Championship, England are a side that can never be taken for granted.
Even if they aren’t seen as the most formidable team in their nation’s history, there is still plenty of quality in this English outfit with team captain Maro Itoje, Marcus Smith and Elliot Daly being among those who are capable of shining on the biggest stage.
As a result, Saturday’s opening game in Dublin could be a dangerous one for Ireland, who lost to their arch rivals at the same phase of the 2019 Championship.
England are certainly capable of pulling off a victory in this game, but there is still some concern over consistency with Steve Borthwick’s team.
Following that triumph over Ireland last year, their campaign ended in a narrow loss to France.
This might go some way towards explaining why the English are just third favourites for a Six Nations title at 9/2 with William Hill.
Scotland Possible Dark Horses Despite Problems With Consistency
Putting together a string of good results has also been an issue for Scotland under Gregor Townsend’s leadership as head coach.
They have defeated England in each of the last four Championships, but have also failed to register more than three wins in a given season since the tournament became the Six Nations Championship.
The presence of Finn Russell, Ben White and Blair Kinghorn is enough reason for the Scots to be considered a threat, but the absence of skipper Sione Tuipulotu through injury for the Championship is a massive blow for Townsend.
A reversal of their 2024 loss to Italy is paramount this weekend if they have designs on a title charge and for those who might see Scotland as dark horses for the Six Nations, there are odds of 7/1 available.
Wales And Italy Not Seen As Realistic Contenders
It wasn’t that long ago that Wales were one of the more feared sides in this tournament, but their fortunes have dipped alarmingly in recent years.
The struggles of Welsh rugby have been well documented and a wooden spoon finish in the 2024 edition of the Championship – following five straight defeats – makes them heavily unfancied coming into this year’s event.
Warren Gatland remains at the helm for another season, but even though he has helped them to three Six Nations Grand Slams in the past, his current squad seem to be a world away from that level.
Heading into a difficult assignment in Paris on Friday, Wales are only available at the lengthy odds of 66/1 for Championship glory with Spreadex.
After finding it tough for so long, 2024 saw Italy record their best ever performance in the Six Nations.
Following a draw with France in round three, the Azzurri overcame Scotland and Wales to finish the Championship table on 11 points – just four adrift of runners-up France.
This means they will be entering the upcoming tournament with renewed vigour and Gonzalo Quesada’s side will believe it is within their reach to overcome Scotland for a second successive year on Saturday.
That said, a maiden Six Nations title remains an unlikely scenario for the Italians, as evidenced by odds of 250/1.