Six Nations Betting: Ireland New Favourites After France Falter At Twickenham

Following another big weekend of action, there are new favourites on the best betting sites to win the Six Nations Championship.

In the first game of round two in Rome, Italy recorded their second consecutive win over Wales in the Six Nations thanks in no small part to 17 points from the boot of the experienced Tommaso Allan. 

Much like their meeting in Cardiff last year, the Welsh produced a spirited surge in the closing moments, but were ultimately defeated 22-15 at the Stadio Olimpico.

Commonly known as ‘Le Crunch’, the clash between England and France at Twickenham certainly lived up to its billing. 

The lead changed hands on a couple of occasions in a frantic second half, but it was Steve Borthwick’s English side who squeezed home by a single point (26-25) courtesy of a late converted try from Elliot Daly.

It was then left for Scotland and Ireland to complete the weekend’s action at Murrayfield. 

Having gone into the game with 10 consecutive wins against the Scots across a number of different tournaments, Ireland once again put their Celtic counterparts to the sword with a 32-18 bonus-point triumph.

Ireland Clear Favourites For Six Nations Title

A fallow weekend follows in the Six Nations, but heading into their showdown with Wales in Cardiff on March 22, Ireland are top of the Championship table – four points clear of France and England.

Given they are now the only unbeaten side left in the tournament, having won both games, Ireland will be daring to dream of pulling off a second Six Nations Grand Slam in the space of three years. 

Time will tell if the Green Army have it within them to pull off this feat in 2025, but in the eyes of practically every bookmaker on the market, they are the new favourites to claim the Championship crown for an unprecedented third time in succession.

Just behind France in the betting for the Six Nations before the second round, Ireland are now seen as the most likely winners of the tournament this year.

That is the case despite Simon Easterby being in charge of the team on an interim basis while Andy Farrell focuses his attention on being head coach of the British & Irish Lions.

Several betting apps have Ireland as 1/2 favourites for the Six Nations.

After waiting until 2009 for their first triumph in the tournament since it became the Six Nations nine years earlier, the Irish are seemingly now in line for their seventh title triumph under the current format.

France Still In The Running

Although the Grand Slam is now out of reach, France are certainly not out of the running for the Championship and will believe that a consistent run could see them reclaim the Six Nations for the first time since 2022.

The round four showdown with Ireland in Dublin on March 8 could be their chance to reinforce their authority in the tournament, but before then they will hope for a return to winning ways against Italy in Rome.

There remains an abundance of talent spread throughout this French team – not least in the shape of team captain Antoine Dupont, Damian Penaud and Gregory Alldritt.

Les Bleus are 7/2 second favourites for the Championship with rugby betting sites. 

England Still In With An Outside Chance

Despite overcoming France at Twickenham, England are currently rated as third favourites for the Six Nations – though the general odds of 5/1 that are available on the English only puts them marginally behind France in the race for the Championship title.

There have been some concerns over England’s ability to deliver a consistent run of results and next up for them is another home game on Saturday week against Scotland, who have beaten their arch rivals in each of the past four Six Nations tournaments.

Yet if England manage to turn over the Scots on this occasion, it will give them a fighting chance of claiming the Championship going into their duels with Italy and Wales in the final two rounds.

Inconsistency Makes Scotland Six Nations Victory Unlikely

Scotland have also struggled for consistency in recent years and after claiming a bonus-point win over Italy in the opening round, they fell to a disappointing 32-18 defeat at the hands of Ireland. 

The clash of heads that led to both Finn Russell and Darcy Graham being withdrawn was extremely unfortunate for head coach Gregor Townsend, but there were already warning signs before their withdrawals in the 22nd minute.

Without a title since it became the Six Nations Championship in 2000 (they were the last winners of the Five Nations a year earlier), it once again seems highly improbable that the Scots will make a breakthrough in the next few weeks. 

At odds of 50/1 with William Hill, Scotland are viewed as outsiders for the Championship.

Italy And Wales Out Of The Picture

These odds are far more favourable than the ones being offered for Italy and Wales, however, with both of these nations out of the running. 

Italy are making considerable strides, but are 500/1 with BoyleSports for a shock Championship success.

The situation is even bleaker for Wales, whose coach Warren Gatland left his role by mutual consent three days after the defeat by Italy - their second loss of the tournament.

Previously regarded as one of the most feared sides in the Six Nations – particularly during the first tenure of Gatland between 2007-19 – they are now an astonishing 2500/1 with Spreadex to come away with the top prize.