Updated: 2024We are now coming up the penultimate weekend for the Six Nations and we have experienced our fair share of upsets and surprises which has led us to the stage. We now have a good idea of how the tournament might finish. Let’s take a look at all team’s second to last matches.
Ireland v Italy
This game has been postponed (time to be decided) due to the corona virus and the risk of contamination.
After losing to England last weekend, the two early favourites are now neck and neck with 9 points each, and both are 4 points behind the tournament leaders France.
Fortunately for Ireland, their next match against Italy should be a walk in the park. In traditional form, Italy are still yet to rack up a single point in the tournament so far and have a fairly humiliating point difference of -72, contributed to largely by an early 42-0 loss to Wales in week 1 and a 17-0 loss to Scotland in week 3.
It is highly likely that these figures will be even larger after the final whistle against Ireland – who will have an extra bit of heat in their game as they attempt to bounce back from last week’s loss to England and try to bridge the gap between them and France.
Unsurprisingly, the odds are stacked against Italy, with odds of 1/200 available on an Ireland win.
There are respectable 11/1 odds on Italy though, which is still a lot better than the 40/1 available on a draw. All of these are available at Betvictor.
England vs Wales
After an unconvincing start for England with an opening match loss to France and a narrow victory over Scotland in their second game, they put all doubters to rest with an impressive victory over Ireland last weekend. This has dragged them up to second in the standings but they are still suffering due to their first game loss to France who so far looks like the team that looks like they will take it.
Unfortunately, for England, they won’t have it easy with a tough match against last year’s winners, Wales.
For Wales though, their tournament is essentially over and now they are just playing for pride. This is because after losing against France last weekend and against Ireland the week before they are out of the running for a win and so cannot retain the title.
Although they won’t go down without a fight, this will definitely mean more to England who are the favourites at the moment. Many bookmakers, including William Hill and PaddyPower have 1/5 odds on England. While 7/1 is offered Wales by the first two of these bookmakers, as well as Betfair.
France v Scotland
France are on course for their first six nations grand slam since 2010 and they can, in theory, secure their first win since 2010 also this weekend if they beat Scotland – although they would need both England and Ireland to lose in both their games the day before, which is very unlikely.
However, the title will be as good as done permitting they don’t lose to Scotland which is unlikely to happen, so all they would then need to do just make sure they don’t lose to Ireland in the final game. This final game will very tricky, so they definitely need to win here, either way, to make sure they can relax going into it. Scotland hasn’t had a bad six nations and are joint on points with Wales.
However, it would still be a big upset if they were to end France’s Grand Slam hopes. 888 Sports is offering 4/11 on France and 2/1 on Scotland which is pretty respectable. A draw can currently be found at between 18-21/1
