Six Nations Week 1 - Betting Tips - 30 Jan 2025

This promises to be one of the most competitive Six Nations Championships, yet some observers have suggested this is a golden period for the competition. Ahead of the first weekend, France is excited about the return to the starting 15 of the outstanding half-backs Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack, while Ireland is looking to complete a hat trick of championship titles. England and Scotland are serial underachievers but should not be underestimated. Italy had a best-ever championship in 2024, and only Wales had little hope as it sought to emerge from a dispiriting slump in form. Let’s take a look at all three matches.

Match Overview - France v Wales Rugby

We should be all set for an explosive opening to the tournament on Friday night, and the French are dreaming that it will kickstart a romp to glory in the final match of the championship when they hope to complete the Grand Slam against Scotland. Expect power from the huge French pack and pace from the backs, all manipulated by Dupont's genius. Changing the laws allows extra protection of scrum halves, which plays right into his hands. The Welsh will be under pressure from the first minute.

France v Wales Key Players to Watch

We’ve already discussed Dupont's brilliance and potential, and the return of the injured Ntamack is equally key to French hopes. Don’t overlook the relentless kicking of Thomas Ramos - he rarely misses the opportunity to keep the total ticking along. Meanwhile, Louis Bielle-Biarrey will look to cross the line from the wing regularly. The only letdown for France is that its star try scorer, Damian Penaud, is out injured. The return of the experienced backs Liam Williams and Josh Adams boosts Wales.

France v Wales Key Stats

• Wales beat France in 9 of 10 clashes between 2012 and 2019, but France won the last six matches between the two.

• France defeated Japan, Argentina and New Zealand in an impressive autumn international campaign.

• In stark contrast, Wales lost to Fiji, Australia and South Africa in their November internationals.

France vs. Wales Rugby Betting Odds

• France 1.01

• Draw 41.0

• Wales 19.0

*Odds from SportingBet. Odds can change, so check the odds on your preferred betting site for the latest odds.

France v Wales Betting Tips

Roman Ntamack - anytime try scorer - 3.0 with Betway SA

Dupont and Bielle-Biarrey are odds on to score, and those are nasty odds even though both will be dangerous. The match could become fractured, at which point Dupont will become a potent threat with the added space he is given, thanks to those new laws. However, often, Ntamack will be the man who can take advantage. In the 2020 tournament, he scored three tries, and he’ll be desperate to remind everyone of the glory days upon his return to the team.

Match Overview - Scotland v Italy Rugby

There’s a real sense of deja vu about this championship for Scotland. The coach, Gregor Townsend, is confident. Fly-half Finn Russell is confident. The nation is confident. But that confidence has taken a huge hit in the past when silly mistakes are made, and opportunities missed. The Italians have nothing like deja vu because normally the nation is desperate to prove itself, whereas last year they won two matches, drew another and should have won one of the two matches it lost. It was mightily impressive, yet it presented a new problem: Can the Azzuri live up to the new high expectations?

Scotland vs. Italy: Key Players to Watch

Scotland’s key man is, as always, Finn Russell. The No. 10 is brilliant but also enigmatic - often, he is just plain foolish. But when his rugby works, it is glorious, and he has a genuinely high-quality backline to work with these days. Duhan Van Der Merwe and Darcy Graham are different in size (one is enormous, the other tiny), but they are lethal on the wings. The Italians hope the South African-born Ross Vintcent can rise to the occasion. The No. 8 has the speed of a back and has been superb for Exeter Chiefs this season.

Scotland v Italy Key Stats

• Scotland has never won the Six Nations Championship, but it did win the last Five Nations in 1999.

• Italy won seven of the first 13 encounters between the two teams in this competition, but last year’s win was the first since 2015.

• Scotland has won seven matches since the last Six Nations, including a win last time out against Australia.

Scotland v Italy Rugby Betting Odds

• Scotland 1.05

• Draw 41.0

• Italy 9.5

*Odds from SportingBet. Odds can change, so check the odds on your preferred betting site for the latest odds.

Scotland vs. Italy Betting Tips

Italy to win at 10.0 with Hollywoodbets.

There’s no doubt about Scotland's threat, but there is also no doubt that the team underachieves time and time again. If Italy can revive the form of 2024, Scotland could start to worry. The Scots also have to deal with a mounting injury list. They have lost four players in all before this first match, including captain Sione Tuipulotu, and others have niggles. The home team is the correct favourite, but this matchup is much closer than the odds suggest. Play the numbers.

Match Overview - Ireland vs England Rugby

England will remind themselves that they defeated the Irish 12 months ago and, with that result, denied the men in green the Grand Slam. But England also knows that the Irish are a tough and experienced set-up. However, one key factor needs to be considered. How will the home team deal with stand-in coach Simon Easterby (head coach Andy Farrell has taken time off to look after the British and Irish Lions)? England must prove it can consistently win matches instead of sometimes winning and sometimes finding ways of losing.

Ireland vs England Key Players to Watch

Ireland has another vital question to answer in this championship. The nation’s rugby success over the last few years has been built around the drive, ambition, and class of fly-half Johnny Sexton, but now he is retired. The young pretenders for his crown - Sam Prendergast and Jack Crowley - are both excellent prospects, but which one starts and assumes primacy going forward? England will look to new captain Maro Itoje to provide the leadership it has so often lacked in recent times. Former coach Eddie Jones knew it was a deep-rooted problem and had doubts about Itoje - will he be proved right or wrong?

Ireland vs England Key Stats

• Since Ireland moved to Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, it has won six out of nine matches against England (no draws).

• England won this match at home in 2024, but before that, Ireland won four straight times against the English.

• The last 12 competitive (as opposed to warm-up) matches between the two sides have had less than 15 points in the scoreline.

Ireland vs England Rugby Betting Odds

• Ireland 1.4

• Draw 26.0

• England 2.88

*Odds from SportingBet. Odds can change, so check the odds on your preferred betting site for the latest odds.

Ireland vs England Betting Tips

England to win by 1-7 points at 5.0 with Betway SA

With doubts about the Irish setup, this is a great chance for England to set down a marker. That said, this England team likes a tight match. In the last 16 matches England played, two were against a weak Japan, but in the other 14 matches, there were always fewer than 10 points in the result. And 12 times seven or less. England can win this game, but it will likely be tied again. Take the pattern to maintain and for England to prevail.

Pros and Cons of Betting on the Six Nations Championship

Pros:

• The Six Nations Championship is incredibly competitive

• Ireland and France are tussling for favouritism 

• But England and Scotland have genuine championship hopes

• Shrewd bettors can dig deep and find angles 

• There is a wealth of exciting betting markets with competitive odds

• Be sure to use all bookmakers so you get the best price available

Cons:

• England are having to deal with media, ex-player and fan criticism

• Wales are under enormous pressure because of poor form

• Can Italy maintain the progress made in 2024?

• Do not be hasty - international rugby is a great betting sport, but mistakes are easy