5th Feb 2015 | Rugby
Six Nations Winner: Wales
The majority of the squad know how to win a championship and victory against England can set them on their way.
The 6 Nations tournament gets under way in Cardiff on Friday night and there is paradox in the betting.
Wales are 4/7 (Skybet) favourites to beat England, yet the visitors are shorter (5/2 Betfred) to win the 6 Nations, with Wales 10/3 (Ladbrokes).
This peculiarity is down to Wales having to play three away games compared to England’s two.
However defeat for the Red Rose in the first weekend could spell disaster. Since the tournament was expanded to include Italy, only two teams have won the 6 Nations after losing their opening match, Wales in 2013 and France in 2006.
Put another way 13 of the last 15 champions (86.7%) have won their first game. If Stuart Lancaster’s men suffer defeat, and the bookmakers think this is more likely than not, their championship charge could be over before it has started.
Realistically this leaves Wales, Ireland and France to fight out the championship and I am siding with Warren Gatland’s men.
The majority of the squad have ‘been there – done that’ winning two of the last three tournaments and with Ireland also having to visit the Millennium Stadium 10/3 (Ladbrokes) on Wales to win the championship should be gobbled up.
Odds correct at time of publishing: 07:04 5th Feb, 2015 but subject to change
