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31st Jan 2013 | Six Nations

Six Nations Betting Guide

The 6 Nations gets under way this weekend and we preview each team's chances with a recommended bet to whet the appetite.

England
Tournament Odds: 2/1 Stan James
Last 12 months : P12 W6 L5 D1
Total Points (per game): 40.8
Points For: 23.1
Points Against: 17.7
Tries scored (per game): 1.9

Verdict: Expectations have been raised by victory over the All Blacks, but put that aside and it was still a good 12 months for Stuart Lancaster. His side won four matches in last year’s Six Nations, but for a narrow defeat against Wales they would have been Grand Slam champions.

Five defeats looks a lot in one calendar year but the worst of those was by nine points in Johannesburg.

Bet: England to win the Grand Slam at 11/2 (Paddy Power)


France
Tournament Odds: 11/5 Boylesports
Last 12 months: P10 W6 L3 D1
Total Points (per game): 42.5
Points For: 26.4
Points Against: 16.1
Tries scored (per game): 2.2

Verdict: It’s a well trodden cliché but it is impossible to predict what we will get from the French. They won all three of their autumn internationals, including a 33-6 thrashing of Australia. However, in last year’s 6 Nations they failed to beat any of Ireland, England or Wales.

Bet: France to be top try scoring nation at 15/8 (Ladbrokes)


Ireland
Tournament Odds: 9/2 Stan James
Last 12 months: P10 W3 L6 D1
Total Points (per game): 46.6
Points For: 20.8
Points Against: 25.8
Tries scored (per game): 2.2

Verdict: Ireland will rue the missed opportunities in 2012; they led in 7 of their 10 matches but only managed to win three. Their first match against Wales could determine the direction of their campaign.

Bet: Ireland / Wales (half time/full time) at 13/2 (Paddy Power)


Wales
Tournament Odds: 6/1 Boylesports
Last 12 months: P13 W6 L7 D0
Total Points (per game): 38.7
Points For: 19.5
Points Against: 19.2
Tries scored (per game): 1.5

Verdict: Wales have to deal with two crises – injury and confidence. Locks Alun Wyn Jones, Luke Charteris and Bradley Davies are all out injured and Dan Biggar starts at fly-half in place of Rhys Priestland. The good news is the British & Irish Lions front-row of Adam Jones, Gethin Jenkins and Matthew Rees is fit and raring to go.

The crisis in confidence might be a bigger hindrance. Wales have lost their last seven internationals, although only New Zealand managed to win by more than 14 points.

Bet: Wales to win the triple crown at 10/3 (Bet365)


Scotland
Tournament Odds: 33/1 Betfred
Last 12 months: P11 W3 L8 D0
Total Points (per game): 37.6
Points For: 15.1
Points Against: 22.5
Tries scored (per game): 1.3

Verdict: Scott Johnson might be the interim head-coach but Scotland’s problems are continual. The lack of tries is still an issue, with only 14 registered in 11 games. However, in tight matches Scotland can bring down more vaunted opponents, as they proved when defeating Australia Down Under.

Bet: France v Scotland lowest scoring game of the 6 Nations at 25/1 (Skybet)


Italy
Tournament Odds: 500/1 Stan James
Last 12 months: P11 W4 L7 D0
Total Points (per game): 41.6
Points For: 17.0
Points Against: 24.6
Tries scored (per game): 1.5

Verdict: Italy are in their perennial battle to avoid the wooden spoon. They can put up a fight, more often than not in Rome, but it is difficult to make a case to back them to win a match.
Bet: Italy to finish bottom of the 6 Nations at 4/9 (Bet365)

England to win Grand Slam 11/2 with Paddypower
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Odds correct at time of publishing: 14:49 31st Jan, 2013 but subject to change

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