With the Six Nations about to resume, as France, Ireland and Scotland take on Italy, Wales and England respectively, we look at the best odds.
France v Italy
For all the issues France have had over the past few months, does anyone really think Italy can win? Certainly the bookmakers don’t believe so with the Azzurri as far out as 9/1 with William Hill and Betway to emerge triumphant.
Jacques Brunel may have made several changes but Les Bleus dominate the lower odds in most places and the first try-scorer market sees Benjamin Fall and Remy Grosso – Teddy Thomas’ and Virimi Vakatawa’s replacements – go in as favourites at best-priced 8/1 with Sky Bet.
Lower down the list, should you wish to take a punt on potential outsiders that may come into the reckoning, Italy’s Mattia Bellini, who scored brilliantly against England, is 22s with Betfair. Sergio Parisse, having struggled to make much of an impact so far in the competition, is also on the high side at 50/1 with Ladbrokes and Coral, while Matteo Minozzi, one of the Italians’ better players in 2018, is the same price.
Ireland v Wales
Much like the England game, Wales go into this encounter as underdogs but they certainly have the potential to overturn Ireland, with quite a few punters taking advantage of the generous 4/1 odds earlier in the week. That has since drifted in, with William Hill, Betfair and Betway now at 3s, but it is still a reasonable bet.
It may also be worth taking advantage of the first try-scorer market. Wales have started reasonably slowly in both of their matches so far, despite eventually overturning Scotland comfortably, and Jacob Stockdale is favourite at 9/1 with Betway, while Keith Earls is 11s.
Conor Murray is another player who knows his way to the line and has a decent try-scoring record for a player in his position and is 18/1 at Bet 365. Gareth Davies, however, eclipses his opposite number in that regard and once again has remarkably high odds on the market. The Wales' and Scarlets’ number nine has crossed the whitewash 10 times in 29 Tests, yet is 80/1 with various bookmakers.
Meanwhile, in the half-time/full-time market, should the theme continue with Warren Gatland’s men opening the game on the back foot but eventually finding their rhythm, it is 13/1 at Unibet for Ireland to lead at the break and the visitors to emerge victorious.
Scotland v England
The final match of the weekend sees the Auld Enemy renew their rivalry. England, given their recent record at Murrayfield and the fact that they are two-time defending champions, are favourites with a best-priced of 2/5 at BetStars. Scotland, as a result, appears a reasonable punt with Gregor Townsend’s men 3/1 with Ladbrokes and Coral.
Should it go to the form book, however, then the Scots have failed to cross the whitewash against the Red Rose at Murrayfield since 2004 and they are 5/1 at Sky Bet to repeat that unwanted feat.
England also take the top-four places in the first try-scorer market with Jonny May, who opened the game’s account against Wales, favourite at 8/1 with Betway to do so again. Even Jack Nowell, a player that starts on the bench, is 11s to touch down before anyone else. Sean Maitland is the highest Scot on the list at 14/1 with various outlets while it is 40/1 for there to be no try-scorer if you wish to take a gamble on it being a cagey affair.
Finally, the man of the award is another interesting market and what better than for Finn Russell to erase memories of his previous two performances and take the prize. He is 14/1 with BoyleSports.
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