Six Nations Week 3 - Betting Tips - 21 Feb 2025

It’s the middle weekend of the 2025 Six Nations Championship and only one team remains unbeaten. That’s Ireland, and given they play Wales this week, there’s every chance that they will head into week 4 with a 100% record because the Welsh have been dire so far. Scotland will travel south to take on hated rivals England while the French need to bounce back from defeat last time out with an imposing performance in Rome. What can we look forward to this week? We had two winners in week two - let’s hope for more of the same.

Match Overview - Wales vs Ireland Rugby

In the recently released schedule for this year’s Autumn Internationals, it was revealed that South Africa will play both Wales and Ireland and, as it stands, the contrast between the two could hardly be greater. Wales has been abject for 18 months, failing to win in that period, and they have a new interim coach after Warren Gatland fell on his sword. Ireland also has a new coach for this championship, of course, but Simon Easterby has had an easier job because Ireland’s squad quality is deep and his team has started the campaign with two wins.

Wales vs Ireland Key Players to Watch

The one hope for the Wesh is that the visitors have been hit by injury concerns. Key among them is the loss of captain Caelan Doris and prop Tadhg Furlong. The flip side of that is that the returning hooker Dan Sheehan - so impressive from the bench this year and the tournament top try-scorer last year - takes over the armband while Joe McCarthy returns in the second row. New Welsh coach Sherratt has turned to experienced fly-half Gareth Anscombe to guide the many beleaguered youngsters in his squad, including debutant Scarlets winger Ellis Mee.

Wales vs Ireland Key Stats

• Ireland has won seven of the last eight matches between these two teams (including the last three in Cardiff).

• In the last three Six Nations Championship matches between the two Ireland has won by 22 and (twice) 24 points.

• The Welsh are in a spiral of defeats - it has now lost 14 test matches in a row - they last won in October 2023 against Georgia.

Wales vs Ireland Rugby Betting Odds

• Wales 15.0

• Draw 33.0

• Ireland 1.02

Odds from SportingBet

Wales vs Ireland Betting Tips

Dan Sheehan 2 tries or more at 3.25 with SportingBet

New Irish captain Dan Sheehan has been a try-scoring machine in this Six Nations in the last two years. He was top try-scorer last year with 5 and added another from the bench in week 1. He starts this week, and he’s a threat from set pieces near the try line, but also in open play. The Irish set piece is strong and could ruthlessly rip Wales to pieces. Sheehan can take advantage.

Match Overview - England vs Scotland Rugby

In one sense, England delivered more of the same last time out against the French because it was yet another tight finish (16 of its last 18 matches have had no more than nine points in it). But in a far more important sense, it was very different for the simple reason that England won instead of wilting in the final quarter. Will that propel them forward to better things? The fans will hope so but there is a potential fly in the ointment because, while Gregor Townsend has had his problems, he has five wins, one draw and just one defeat against England as Scotland’s head coach.

England vs Scotland Key Players to Watch

To a large extent, this game could be rebilled as ‘The Battle of the Finnish Fly Halves’. On the one hand, there is the enigmatic Finn Russell who, at his best, turns Scotland into an electric attacking force but who also makes more mistakes than a world-class player ought to. And on the other hand, England’s new number 10, Fin Smith, impressed on his Six Nations debut against France. That introduces different problems, however. He is now the focus of media and fan attention so he’ll need to manage many new distractions to remain on top of his game.

England vs Scotland Key Stats

• These two teams first met in 1871 - it was the first-ever rugby international, and in 142 matches, England has won 76 times and Scotland 47 with 19 draws.

• In the last seven matches between the two teams - all of them in the Six Nations - Scotland have won five times and there was a draw in 2019.

• The Scottish have been particularly impressive at the Allianz Stadium in Twickenham - they are unbeaten since 2019.

England vs Scotland Rugby Betting Odds

• England 1.30

• Draw 22.0

• Scotland 3.5

Odds from SportingBet

England vs Scotland Betting Tips

England to win by 1-10 points at 2.8 with Betway SA

Remember those numbers: 16 of the last 18 England matches finished with no more than 9 points between the two teams. The dam will break sooner or later but maybe not this week because Scotland are no fools and get motivated for this game like no other. The new English confidence can get them over the line but it ought to be another testy one.

Match Overview - Italy vs France Rugby

We were confident of the French attacking line when they visited London and were duly rewarded with a winning bet when we backed Louis Bierre-Biarrey to cross the white line, something he and his colleagues have done with some ease in the opening two matches. But they were hesitant in defence against England and unable to take control when they had a lead. That lack of ruthlessness has cost them a Grand Slam opportunity, and the big question is how they respond. Italy did what they had to in beating Wales but little else. They’ll be encouraged by memories of last year’s draw between the two teams, however. 

Italy vs France Key Players to Watch

As mentioned, Bierre-Bierrey is flying right now. He leads the tournament try scorer count with four. Nor is the threat on the one wing because Damian Penaud also scored at Twickenham and both enjoy a good understanding with scrum-half Antoine Dupont. Italy’s two pillars of strength are number 10 Thomasso Allan, who leads the points-scoring charts thanks to his accurate place-kicking, and forward Federico Ruzza who has risen to claim more lineout takes than any other player in the championship.

Italy vs France Key Stats

• Italy beat France back-to-back in Rome in 2011 and 2013 but then lost the next 14 matches between the two teams - last year’s result was a dramatic 13-13 draw.

• France is currently leading the tournament try-scoring count with a total of 10.

• Italy has made more tackles than any other team in this year’s championship.

Italy vs France Rugby Betting Odds

• Italy 8.0

• Draw 34.0

• France 1.08

Odds from SportingBet

Italy vs France Betting Tips

France to win with the handicap (-16.5pts) at 1.8 with SportingBet

France has covered this handicap in 10 of the last 15 matches between the two teams. There have been tight affairs - most obviously last year’s draw - but if France gets an edge it pushes on and gets the scoreboard ticking. They are scoring tries this year, and they need to rack up the points if they have any hope of winning the championship. Italy hasn’t quite looked up to last year’s standards and the French can punish them out wide with the flying wingers Bierre-Bially and Penaud. It helps that Thomas Ramos remains a relentless kicker.

How can you place a bet on the Six Nations Championship rugby?

Visit any bookmaker, find ‘Rugby Union’ in the list of sports and it will lead you to all matches. Be sure to click ‘All Bets’ to see the full range of options. Do not focus on the match result alone.