The Racing Post’s rugby experts look at how each team is placed ahead of the Six Nations, but despite Ireland being Grand Slam holders some of the team amazingly don’t fancy their chances to defend their title.

With England looking vulnerable, the fixture list has been kind to Wales, so can the old rivals set up a Grand Slam decider in the final round?

Or can a resurgent Scotland create a few shocks?

We go through the betting for the opening round of fixtures and look at some value plays later in the tournament and offer some suggestions in the top try scorer markets.

Six Nations Tournament Top Tips

Graham Woods: Ireland / Wales dual forecast – 2/1
Stuart Riley: Greg Laidlaw to be top Six Nations points scorer – 7/1
Darren Jordan: Greg Laidlaw to be top Six Nations points scorer – 7/1