Six Nations Week 5 - Betting Tips

It’s the final weekend of the 2025 Six Nations Championship, and although the title remains up for grabs, France holds all the aces. Ireland and England can heap pressure on the championship leaders with significant defeats of Italy and Wales, respectively, but both will need Scotland to do them an enormous favour in the final match of the championship. That game, taking place at Stade de France, will provide a superb finale and one that the bookies are convinced will end with a home team victory parade.

We’ve had two winners from three selections in each of the last three weeks - let’s hope for more of the same in this final weekend.

Match Overview - Italy vs Ireland Rugby

Seven days ago, the Irish had history in their grasp. Victory against France would have left them visiting Rome in search of an unprecedented third championship in a row. Instead, they arrive needing to lift themselves from the disappointment of a heavy defeat at the hands of Les Bleus. They will want to set the French a difficult target but the Italians will be aware that this urge might make the visitors vulnerable to mistakes.

Italy vs Ireland, Key Players to Watch

Ireland’s interim coach, Simon Easterby, had a big call to make ahead of this championship: did he go with Sam Prendergast or Jack Crowly at number ten? He opted for Prendergast but has turned to Crowly for this final game, and his performance will be under the microscope. He has made five further changes with the most significant seeing the return of lethal wingers James Lowe and Mack Hansen. Italy has made seven changes and needs to plug the defensive gaps that have been opened in the last two matches.

Italy vs Ireland Key Stats

• Italy won the match between these two teams in 2013 but that is their only win against Ireland in Six Nations history.

• Ireland ranks a lowly fifth for Metres Gained and Metres Carried, while Italy ranks sixth in the same categories.

• The pressure Italy has been under is revealed in the stats: they rank first for Tackles Made and Tackles Missed. 

Italy vs Ireland Rugby Betting Odds

• Italy 9.0

• Draw 34.0

• Ireland 1.04

Odds from SportingBet

Italy vs Ireland Betting Tips

Ireland (-30.5 points) to win at 3.0 with Hollywoodbets

The men in green would have won this bet in seven of the last 10 Six Nations matches between the two teams, and the form book suggests they can make it eight from 11. Ireland have had their back line bolstered by their best attackers while the Italians lost by 49 points to the French and those tackle stats remind us of the pressure they have been under. Ireland can pounce.

Match Overview - Wales vs England Rugby

It has been a desperate championship for Wales but one we predicted when tipping them to finish bottom. There was a promising display against Ireland in the middle of the weekend, but the bounce back fizzled out in Edinburgh. England was not perfect against Italy last time out but they were dominant in the second half and will want to repeat that display to set the French a tough target. The management is insisting, however, that they will be focussing on the win rather than what-ifs.

Wales vs England Key Players to Watch

During this wearying championship, Wales have lost the experienced Liam Williams and Josh Adams from their back three, and another injury to Tom Rogers means that Llanelli centre Joe Roberts will play on the wing for the first time as a professional. England has backline problems, too. With Ollie Lawrence out injured, Tommy Freeman moves from the wing to replace him. Elliot Daly fills in for Freeman, and Marcus Smith returns to replace him at full-back.

Wales vs England Key Stats

• The last 10 matches between these two teams have been tight: all 10 had no more than 16 points in it.

• England has been good at the Breakdown (ranking first for Steals), but fans and ex-players are not impressed that they rank first for Kicks in Play.

• Welsh difficulties are clear in the numbers: they rank bottom for Attacking Entries to the 22 but second for Total Passes. 

Wales vs England Rugby Betting Odds

• Wales 3.75

• Draw 26.0

• England 1.29

Odds from SportingBet

Wales vs England Betting Tips

Wales Points Under 23.5 points at 1.90 with SportingBet

This is a straightforward bet. Wales have been poor all season, and England have been better. The visitors consistently struggle to overwhelm the opposition but they are hard to beat. And then there are recent results: in 13 of the last 15 matches between these two teams Wales has failed to score more than 23.5 points no less than 13 times. The numbers shout this one.

Match Overview - France vs Scotland Rugby

In many ways, this is the perfect finale for the French. Victory will probably be enough to claim the championship title, and a bonus point victory will definitely be enough. The only problem is that they lost in London, so they will only win the championship, not the grand slam. And they will have to do it all without their superstar scrum-half, Antoine Dupont, who was injured against Ireland. The French are furious, believing his knee was targeted by Irish forwards, and their rage drove the victory in Dublin. Will that fire continue to blaze their week? Let’s hope so - France was our pre-championship tip for the title.

France vs Scotland Key Players to Watch

French wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey has been electric all tournament. Whether he is grabbing high balls, beating the last man, or even making breaks all on his own, he’s been near unstoppable. He leads the Tries Scored charts with seven and has crossed the white line in every game. The Scottish backs have also impressed. Finn Russell was on form last time out, while full-back Blair Kinghorn leads Metres Carried, Metres Gained and Offloads. With Duhan Van Der Merwe and Dary Graham a threat on the wing, this is not a gimme for the French.

France vs Scotland Key Stats

• France has won six of the last 10 Six Nations matches between these two teams and four of the last five on home soil.

• These two teams play a similar game: they lead the rankings for Carries, Metres Gained, Metres Carried, and Offloads.

• France has struggled to put Scotland away in recent times - the last 10 Six Nations matches have never had more than 20 points in the final result.

France vs Scotland Rugby Betting Odds

• France 1.08

• Draw 34.0

• Scotland 7.0

Odds from SportingBet

France vs Scotland Betting Tips

Louis Bierre-Bialley to Score 2 or more Tries at 2.80 with SportingBet

We’ve had success backing the flying Frenchman to score tries this championship and the numbers tell us that he’s even worth taking to score multiple times. He’s played seven internationals this season and scored in every match but he’s scored two in four of those seven. That makes this price well worth taking.

FAQs about Six Nations Championship Rugby Betting for Week 5

When and where do the matches take place?

Italy vs Ireland is at the Stadio Olimpico, Rome on Saturday 15th March at 16:15 SAST.

Wales vs England is at the Principality Stadium, Cardiff on Saturday 15th March at 18:45 SAST.

France vs Scotland is at the Stade de France, Paris on Saturday 15th March at 22:00 SAST.

Can I watch it in South Africa?

Every Six Nations Championship match is on SuperSport. 

How can I 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.