RBS Six Nations Rugby 2025

It's that time of year again, the RBS Six Nations approaches with great anticipation. There will be mixed feelings after the Web Ellis World Cup.

England would have been bitterly disappointed with their quarterfinal exit and the way they generally performed. Last years winners of the six 6 nations, England, have a new interim head coach Stuart Lancaster who has never coached at Premiership level never mind international. He has picked a very young uncapped squad and the most notable absentee's are Mike Tindall (omitted), Johnny Wilkinson and Lewis Moody (Retired). It's a big gamble for Lancaster who really didn't have much choice. This tournament could well have come to quick for them to gel.

Ireland who started brightly by beating Australia were knocked out by the impressive Wales. They do tend to blow hot and cold but have to be given some respect due to the fact that they can boast 3 teams in the Heineken Cup quarterfinals. Munster, Ulster and Leinster all make up the bulk of the Irish squad. The main negative for Ireland will be the loss of Brian O'Driscoll to injury.

Wales were the surprise package for many at the World Cup; they can count themselves unlucky to lose to France in the Semis after an impressive display of flowing rugby got them there. They were also reduced to a man less in the semi's when Sam Warburton got controversial sent off in the first half leaving all Welsh mouths to mutter "if only" for the next 4 years. They are bound to be strong this time round with a lot of their young players after gaining valuable experience at the World Cup. Unfortunately like Ireland their creativeness will have been scuppered with the loss of their talisman Shane Williams who chose to retire after the World Cup.

France never really got going in the World Cup but still did enough to reach the final against a fierce New Zealand side.  They went on to be narrow runners up losing 8-7 in the final. Saint-André replaces Marc Lièvremont, who took France to the World Cup final. He is another new Head Coach that will have little time to get his philosophy across to the players and with no test matches between now ant the tournament you can expect them to go back to basics and concentrate on set pieces.

Scotland put in a fine effort in the group stage of the world cup only to miss out to Argentina. They have improved but I expect them and Italy to once again be battling to avoid the wooden spoon. Italy picked up two wins all be it against the world's Rugby minnow's but have proved very difficult to beat at home. The fact that these two meet in on the final fixture day will add extra spice to the spoon.

In fact the final week could well decide the title, grand slam and wooden spoon as the teams go head to head.

It is always necessary to study the fixtures of the 6 Nations Championship due to the fact that the Countries only play each other once therefore some teams have 3 home games and some have 2. Who you have home and away can sway the odds in your favour massively, especially with regards to the Grand Slam. I have highlighted some of the key games in red, the winners of these will have a lot to say about the destination of the Championship / Grand Slam.
 

For full fixtures list and previous results click here
 

Six Nations Rugby Betting

Six Nations Rugby Grand Slam

It's going to be extremely difficult to win the grand slam this year the way the fixtures have been drawn and the 8/11 on at Bet Fred reflects that.

If I were to choose it would have to be France at 9/2 with Bet 365. The fixtures suit them better and they could have won their first 4 games before heading to the Millennium, as they have England and Ireland at home with Scotland and Italy away.

If Wales carry on the way they finished the world cup the 15/2 at Paddy Powers would be tasty indeed.

Six Nations Rugby Outright

The fact that France could have the championship wrapped up by their toughest fixture has them as short as 13/8 with Sky Bet. Not much value but they will be hard to beat and only narrowly lost the world cup final.

Six Nations Rugby Outside Bet.

The value bet that intrigues me is the straight forecast on Wales to finish first and Ireland 2^nd at 18/1 with Bet Victor. If Wales carry on the fine form from the world cup and Ireland's in form club players perform as a unit they will be hard to beat away from home. Add the fact that England and France have new coaches and little time with their team 18/1 looks good value.