Six Nations Betting Tips
After the thrills and spills of the 2023 World Cup, international rugby union returns in February for the start of the 2024 Six Nations Championship.
Ireland managed a clean sweep in the 2023 Six Nations to claim the Grand Slam but head into this tournament without former skipper Jonathan Sexton after his retirement from the sport.
France were the other standout team in the last competition but will be without their first-choice half-back pairing this year.
Here’s three selections ahead of the highly anticipated 2024 Six Nations Championship.
Tip 1 - Ireland to win Six Nations Outright @ 11/8
It’s set to be a monumental opening Friday night for the competition, as the two standout teams, France and Ireland, clash on February 2nd in Marseille.
These nations played out a thrilling encounter in Dublin last year, with Ireland producing an outstanding performance to win 32-19 at the Aviva Stadium.
Of course, this year they will have to do it without the iconic Sexton, but this Ireland side is a well-oiled machine under head coach Andy Farrell and little should change with how they approach the game, no matter who wears the No.10 jersey.
Playing this opening game at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille as opposed to the more familiar surroundings for the French at the Stade de France could play into Ireland’s hands.
With the Stade de France being prepared for the Olympic Games later this year, France will have to play all three of their home games away from Saint-Denis in Marseille, Lyon and Lille.
That could be a deciding factor and is why Ireland are the first selection to win the tournament outright at 11/8.
Tip 2 - France to win Six Nations Outright @ 11/10
If Ireland don’t take your fancy then it is certainly worth considering France to lift the trophy at odds of slightly better than evens.
The French will be touring the country in this unique Six Nations for Les Bleus, but there is no doubting the quality in their ranks.
A monstrous pack that looked set to challenge for the Webb Ellis Cup last year, the French just fell short with a one-point defeat to eventual champions South Africa in the quarter-finals.
France will have to do without star scrum-half Antoine Dupont, who made the shock announcement he would miss the Six Nations to focus on sevens rugby ahead of the Olympic Games.
Fly-half Romain Ntamack is also missing through injury, so head coach Fabien Galthie will need others to step up and fill the void.
Considering the strength in depth in French rugby at present, that should not be an issue, and France are certainly at an attractive price at 11/10 for the title.
Tip 3 - Darcy Graham Top Try Scorer @ SP
Looking for a potential top try scorer in this year’s Six Nations, Scotland winger Darcy Graham is a player who has the ability to finish top of the charts.
The “Prince of Hawick” has an impressive record for Scotland, with 24 tries in 39 caps for his country.
Graham also enjoyed an impressive World Cup last year on French soil, finishing tied for third in the try scorer standings with five tries in the competition.
The 26-year-old’s blistering pace and footwork in tight spaces makes him a nightmare for defence coaches.
In complete contrast to the powerhouse Duhan van der Merwe, who will be another contender for top try scorer, on the other wing for Scotland, Graham might just pip his team-mate and the rest to the accolade of top try scorer in the Six Nations this year.