With the first weekend of the 2018 Six Nations over, as Ireland, Wales and England laid down a marker, we now look at the best bets for Round Two.
Ireland v Italy
This appears a foregone conclusion and that is reflected in the bookmakers’ odds. The best anyone is offering for an Ireland victory is 1/66 (William Hill), with the most common price at 1/250. Should you wish to back the Azzurri with the very slight chance they may cause an upset, Stan James is the best place to go for odds of 66/1.
It may therefore be better to look at other markets for this match. The first try-scorer is particularly interesting and Italy displayed their ability to stick with England in the first 55 minutes last weekend.
Should they start well then wing Mattia Bellini (25/1) is a decent price, but Sebastian Negri could also be a good shout. The back-row is a powerful man and should Italy pressurise their opponents early on then Negri, at 66/1, has the ability to get over from close range.
Conor O’Shea’s side will be desperate for points in the first 10 minutes having began poorly in round one and a drop-goal, priced at 125/1 with Betfair, may have some takers.
Joe Schmidt’s men will ultimately be too strong for Italy, but the visitors could cause the Emerald Isle a few problems in the opening period and 20/1 at Sky Bet for the Azzurri to be leading at half-time – with Ireland eventually going on to win – is worth a punt.
England v Wales
The big game of the weekend and no doubt the match that will capture the punters’ imagination. Wales are being quite well backed following their dismantling of Scotland on the opening weekend and 9/2 at Betfair seems a reasonable price for a side in form, particularly in comparison to the Red Rose’s 1/4 at Betway.
England dominate the lower prices in the first try-scorer odds too, which is slightly surprising, especially when you consider George North is the highest Welshman on the list and he’s not even starting. You can therefore get some absolute steals and Gareth Davies (100/1 at Bet365 and 80/1 at BetVictor) is worth gambling on. He opened the scoring against Scotland so why can’t the lightning quick scrum-half repeat the feat?
Twickenham should hold no fear for Warren Gatland’s men but it may well be a tight affair, despite the verve with which both teams want to play at. The weather may also be an issue so that, combined with what could be a tense encounter, and 66/1 with Sky Bet for there not being a try-scorer seems like an excellent offer.
If it is going to be a low-scoring affair then placing your bet on a forward winning man of the match may be the way to go. Joe Launchbury took the honours last year and he’s 16/1 with Boylesports this time around, but Alun-Wyn Jones may be the player to back here, with the captain remarkably at 50s with Betfair.
Scotland v France
Arguably the most difficult match to call. Before the Six Nations it seemed obvious that France would struggle but their battling display against Ireland, combined with Scotland’s lacklustre performance at Wales, has muddied the waters somewhat.
The Celts are still favourites with all the bookies, with the Murrayfield factor no doubt tipping it their way, but it seems too risky to place your faith in Gregor Townsend’s men at those prices. France are not the most reliable either but 2/1 at Bet365 is reasonable, with Jacques Brunel’s side likely to improve as the tournament goes on.
In other markets, Boylesports are offering odds on the first try-scorer, but it is limited to Scotland. Finn Russell is a decent price at 20/1 while Jonny Gray, if you took note of his remarkable run in the opening game, is at 40s.
Tries should be guaranteed, however, irrespective of the efforts last weekend, with the early weather forecast predicting it to be much drier than in Paris last weekend. If you have therefore placed a bet on either Gray or Russell to go across the whitewash then Scotland to score first and lose is 17/2 with both Betfair and Paddy Power.
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