Six Nations Update and Betting Preview
29th February, 2008
4 out of the six teams in the Rubgy Six Nations tournament are still in contention for the trophy:
Wales with six points, Ireland with four points, France with four points and England, also with four points.
The other two teams, Italy and Scotland have no points and no chance.
All odds are close for the remainder of the tournament. Here are some relevant facts that may influence your decision when placing your bet:
France have won four of the eight tournaments held since it changed to the current six-nations format, including the last two. They won the last two having lost one game in each tournament. If they repeat their results from last year they will be joint winners with Ireland, and also they have won their final game in the tournament for the last six years running. Out of the last twenty-nine attempts, Italy have only ever beaten France once (in 1997).
Wales are currently the only team to win all their games, the same position France were in last year when they went on to win the trophy. Problems for Wales though, are the fact that they still have the hardest two games remaining, having already played Scotland and Italy. They have only won twice in ten attempts against Ireland, and haven’t beaten France in Cardiff since 1996.
The Irish have been desperately unlucky in the last two years of the tournament having finished equal on points to France both times and losing out on goal difference. In the last four years in the competition Ireland have beaten England, Wales and Scotland. Their only games remaining are against Wales and England. They have beaten Wales in their last four home games and have beaten England in their last four games including twice in away games.
England have just won their first away win since 2000 when they went on to win the trophy. Despite England still have what should be an easy game against Scotland, the last two times the clubs met Scotland won both, although they have won seventeen of the last twenty. England also haven’t beaten Ireland since 2003 and have lost their last four encounters in a row.
As close as it is, Wales are still on top and unbeaten so they are the bookie’s favourites. Here are the odds as of 16:05 on February 29th:
Wales - 6/5 (Skybet)
France - 2/1 (Bet365)
England - 11/2 (Boylesports)
Ireland - 8/1 (Blue Square)
Up to date odds and tips are, as always, available on our odds comparison page.
