*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at time of publication but subject to change*
It’s that time of the year again when everyone and their mother becomes an expert in the breakdown laws of rugby – but I’m 90% sure even the refs don’t know what’s going on. As excitement ramps up towards kick off on Saturday for this year’s instalment of the Six Nations, we look ahead at some outright picks for the tournament.
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Between France’s incredible turn of form over the last few seasons, Ireland’s performance peaking a year before the World Cup, Scotland’s pure optimism of a squad with real depth, a revitalised England team chosen by Eddie Jones, Wales looking to overcome an injury-stricken squad to do the two in a row and Italy just being, well, Italy, it looks to be without doubt the most hotly contested tournament in years. Let’s get down to business…
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Outright winner – Ireland
A team that breezed through the Autumn Internationals with impressive wins over World Cup 2015 & 2019 quarter-final foes Argentina and the mighty All Blacks, head coach Andy Farrell will be hoping for more of the same for the next seven weeks.
Although playing away to France and England this year, Ireland can find solace in key player Jonathan Sexton finding some flying form, and as long as he stays fit Ireland will be hard to beat. They also have a knack for putting up their best international performances a year out from the World Cup, winning the Six Nations in 2018 and 2014. Can the four-year cycle continue? Here’s hoping!
Dual Forecast – Ireland & Scotland
Now, this is a bit of a wild one, but with France and England looking to build up some depth and having squads with about 17/20 players with less than 10 international games under their belt, I feel for the first time in a long while, Scotland potentially have a chance.
Bolstered by some very exciting players and with Edinburgh and Glasgow sitting on top of the United Rugby Championship, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them keep the form going into the Six Nations. With Ireland being my outright pick the price one offer here is too good not to take.
Top Try scorer – Alex Dombrandt & Robert Balacloune
With a generous five places being offered, it’s hard not to find a bit of each-way value somewhere. I’m picking Alex Dombrandt as an outside shot. He’s in great nick for Harlequins this year, scoring 11 times in 13 games for the Premiership champions. Although he was on the bench for all three Autumn Internationals, I think it’s about time Jones gives him the No.8 shirt to see if his club performance can transition to international level.
Over in the Irish camp, with Keith Earls being used as a utility back replacement in previous games there’s an open space on the wing for exciting young Ulster man Robert Balacloune. He won his first cap in the Autumn v Argentina and didn’t get much ball in hand, but when he did, he looked electric. He’s a strong price in the outright market and not too shabby in the Top Irish Try scorer market either. Definitely worth a punt.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at time of publication but subject to change*
Six Nations tips
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