Touch down our traders’ expert tips for Round 3 of the Six Nations

We asked our rugby traders to give us some punts for this weekend’s action in the great tournament and they didn’t need an excuse to maul over them...

This weekend’s Six Nations kicks off on Friday evening with France v Italy, so be sure to get your bets in on time!

However, it’s also a huge weekend for the Grand Slam hopes of both England and Ireland respectively.

England face a tough test as they travel to Murrayfield to face Scotland in a Calcutta Cup clash, while Warren Gatland brings Wales to Dublin to meet Ireland in what should be a smash-mouth affair.

France v Italy, Friday 8pm

Naughty boys France are missing a number of starting players following their misadventures in Edinburgh after the Scotland match, while Italy come into the game on the back of an improved second half performance against Ireland. Let’s face it, the first half wasn’t much to write home about for Conor O’Shea’s men.

This second period display in Dublin surprisingly went against the old adage of Italy putting it up for the first 40 minutes before faltering later on. However, we expect them to return to that form this weekend and are we’re tipping up the 13/2 shot Italy – France in the double result market.

Keen to dip into tryscorer betting on this one? Consider Hugo Bonneval as First Tryscorer at 6/1, it’s a price that won’t last long.

If by the time you’ve read this it has vanished, Matteo Minozzi to score a try in 80 minutes at 11/4 is worth a punt. He’s been Italy’s star player of the Six Nations so far and grabbed himself a try against Ireland last time out.

Ireland v Wales, Saturday 2.15pm

With a close game anticipated in the Irish capital, Ireland to Win by 1-12 at 5/4 in the Winning Margin market is our best gamble for this game and this weekend’s egg chasing action as a whole.

If you are keen to cheer on a tryscorer, Rory Best to score in the 80 minutes (10/3) could be value as Ireland used the maul to great effect against Wales last year and he was only denied a try in Cardiff by a silly Robbie Henshaw infringement.

Elsewhere, we still feel there’s a decent bet available on is in the Player of the Tournament market. Keith Earls is now 15/2 following his heroic try saving tackle against Italy that raised the day’s biggest cheer at the Aviva Stadium, and if he adds a few more attacking runs from the Irish wing the Munster man has a very good chance of being given the award.

Scotland v England, Saturday 4.45pm

Let’s be real for a second, the English love to smash the Scots and like last year it’s not out of the realms of possibility that they run away with it.

If you are seeking a long-shot price this Six Nations weekend, then England to Win to Nil might just be a decent 18/1 shout.

Similar to Ireland, England won’t be shy of a maul in an attempt to over-power the Scots. In that case, everyone’s favourite rugby bad-boy Dylan Hartley should be at the back to cross the white-wash. Hartley is 18/1 to dot down first at Murrayfield and that’s our tip in this one.

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* All odds correct at time of posting.