Six Nations Preview 2nd Feb

Rugby fans and makers of cleaning products rejoice as Saturday sees the return of the Six Nations one of the most competitive and muddy sports events of the year. Here is our guide to the action.

OUTRIGHT MARKETS

Bookmakers have England as 2/1 (Stan James) favourites to lift the outright trophy. This is probably on the back of a stunning result in December where they defeated the All Blacks. England will be full of confidence and hope to go one better than 12 months ago when they finished second. This side is developing all the time under Stuart Lancaster and with the fixture list looking kind they look the team to beat.

The main threat to England will likely come from France who are 5/2 (BetVictor/william hill) this price could look sensational value at the end of the tournament. The French are the great enigmas of rugby and can as easily turn you over by fourty points or go down without a fight.I can not bring myself to side with the French despite their impressive form in the Autumn Internationals and will leave this bet to others.

Ireland are 9/2 (Stan James) and at first glance this looks interesting though if you look deep you will see this Irish side has lost a lot of key personnel over the last 18 months and are no longer the side they once were. On their day the Irish could give anyone a game just over the long period I do not think they can lift the trophy.

It is rare that you see a 2012 like the one Wales had. At the start of the year they were on top of the rugby world after lifting this title. Things looked good until they ended the year in horrible form embarking on a miserable seven game run without victory. The Welsh can be backed at 6/1 (boylesports/BetVictor/william hill) though in truth they could be anything.

Scotland are an improving nation though this might be too early for them and odds of 40/1 (Stan James) reflect this. The fixtures though have been kind to them and if they can avoid a complete hammering of England at Twickenham in week one then they might merit a little interest in a top four finish at 11/8 (Skybet/paddy Power). After a difficult opener at Twickenham the Scots have three home games in a row (Italy, Ireland, Wales). They should see off Italy and if they develop enough confidence then Ireland and Wales might also fall victim. With the Green and the Red looking shadows of the sides that they once were. Italy are of course the outsiders and although nobody will underestimate them 500/1 (Stan James) on them to win will have few takers.

TOP TOURNAMENT TRYSCORER

Those looking for a bet will see the market is headed by Chris Ashton at 10/1 (Stan James) and despite being favourite the English winger is still great value. As well as siding with the English points machine try a bet at bigger prices in this market on Craig Gilroy at 22/1 (EW with Stan James/ladbrokes). The Irish winger scored a hat-trick of tries for Ireland in a non-test against Fiji and is a try-scoring machine at club level. I also like the look of his Irish colleague Simon Zebo at 20/1 (general).

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Chris Ashton top tournament tryscorer, 10/1 (Stan James) EW ¼ the first four
SILVER: Craig Gilroy top tournament tryscorer, 22/1 (Stan James/ladbrokes) EW ¼ the first four
BRONZE: Scotland to finish in the top four, 11/8 (Skybet/paddy Power)

Go To bet365

#Ad

02/02/2013     © Frixo 2026