Two matches down for everyone in this season’s Six Nations and it is still England, despite not leading the table, who are the favourites to win the title.
After grinding out a win in horrific conditions at Murrayfield against Scotland last weekend, England are now 13/8 to claim the 2020 Six Nations crown* (betting odds taken from Bet365 on February 11th, 2020 at 21:47).
2020 Six Nations Winner Odds*
England 13/8
Ireland 2/1
France 5/2
Wales 10/1
Scotland 200/1
Italy 2000/1
* (betting odds taken from Bet365 on February 11th, 2020 at 21:47)
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The Story So Far
England, who started the tournament as 8/11 favourites with Bet365 are still favourites, but their odds have lengthened. Their campaign got off to a stuttering start as Eddie Jones saw his side totally misfire in Paris on the opening weekend. England produced an error-strewn, low-energy game and were convincingly beaten 24-17.
But they bounced back last weekend to earn a victory in blustery conditions at Murrayfield over Scotland. Storm Ciara disrupted the game, which was one the ugliest Six Nations matches in a long, long time. But England beat the Scots and got back on track to at least keep their title hopes alive, even if the Grand Slam has already gone.
Ireland edged a nervy 19-12 win over Scotland in their opening match, despite being second best for large periods. Andy Farrell’s men were far more convincing in a 24-14 home win over Wales. That loss was a big blow to the title-defence hopes of the Welsh, who had hammered Italy on the opening weekend. France followed up on their win over England by collecting a success over Italy.
So France and Ireland hold a record of two wins from two, then come Wales and England both on a W1 L1 record. Scotland have lost both games but have earned a losing bonus point in each. Italy are without a point.
England 11/8*
When the action returns on the weekend of February 22nd/23rd, England will be playing host to Ireland at Twickenham. That’s some crucial home advantage at this stage of the contest for Eddie Jones’ men. In last year’s championship, England opened their campaign with a convincing win away in Dublin.
England have to beat Ireland on February 23rd just to pull level with the men in green, so it’s a match that the Red Rose cannot afford to lose. England are 3/10 odds-on to win that crucial fixture* (betting odds taken from Bet365 on February 11th, 2020 at 21:47).
What is holding England’s favouritism is that not only do they face Ireland at Twickenham, but will also host Wales there too in the fourth round of action. England are in poor form away from home in the Six Nations, but a favourable home fixture list could push them towards the title.
So the bookmakers are thinking that is where things may tip in favour of England who are now 8/11 odds-on to secure the Triple Crown (beating Scotland, Ireland and Wales)* (betting odds taken from Bet365 on February 11th, 2020 at 21:47).
Ireland 2/1*
The way that the Irish played in their opening game against Scotland in Dublin, showed exactly where they are at. In transition. Andy Farrell is the new head coach after Joe Schmidt left the hot seat at the end of the 2019 World Cup. Ireland looked unsure of themselves and really a bit directionless.
But they were a different beast on the second weekend of action as they showed excellent control and a nice touch of openness in attack to claim a 24-14 win over Wales, earning a bonus point for themselves. Considering that Wales only conceded seven tries in last year’s Grand Slam-winning campaign, Ireland did a fantastic job to put four past them.
But now their remaining fixtures are tough. A home game against Italy sandwiches road trips to England and then France. Ireland are 11/8 to win the Triple Crown (beating Wales, England and Scotland)* (betting odds taken from Bet365 on February 11th, 2020 at 21:47).
France 5/2*
Coming into the 2020 Six Nations, France were the dark horses. No-one really knew what to expect under new head coach Fabien Galthie’s charge. The French were really pumped up in their opening game against England, the raucous crowd at the Stade de France helping them along as they put a 24-17 victory on the board.
They were powerful and hit England hard when it was expected to be the other way around. France absorbed everything that the English threw at them. France followed up with a 35-22 home win over Italy on the second weekend.
That was five tries they scored, but their defence went missing in the second half of the future, shipping a couple of tries in the final fifteen minutes. If they would have stayed on their game, it should have been a far more comfortable fixture. France had changed five of their forwards just before Italy got back with a couple of tries.
The difficulty now comes in them handling away games. They have former Wales defensive genius, Shaun Edwards, in their ranks. How much will that come into play when they visit Wales on their return and then Scotland? Neither are going to be easy games, but what a scenario there could be down the line with France v Ireland being the final match of this year’s Championship. Could that be for the title?
Wales 10/1*
The title defence of Wales looks to be a big ask now after a loss in Ireland on the second weekend. They had opened with a powerful home win over Italy, but even though they were 42-0 winners, the Welsh hadn’t looked overly convincing in the pack.
There appear to be a few cracks there this season and in their backline too. Wales were immense in the defensive department last year on their way to success. The same intensity and organisation wasn’t there against Ireland. Something for new boss Wayne Pivac to work on.
They pick up back in the third round of action with a home game against France, which should be a cracker. Wales are 4/9 odds-on to win that, which would shake up the standings* (betting odds taken from Bet365 on February 11th, 2020 at 21:47).
But then comes the trip to England where the Welsh would know a second road loss in this campaign would shut the door on them. Wales finish at home against Scotland.
Scotland 200/1*
Scotland’s campaign has been overshadowed by the row between head coach Gregor Towsend and fly-half Finn Russell who has at this point, been exiled from the national squad. In his absence, they have lost their opening two game
s.
They went down in Ireland, albeit having put in a very good performance in Dublin. Then it was a home loss against England. The weather was terrible for that game, but Scotland failed to really get into things and seize the initiative after a lot of English mistakes.
Scotland will make the trip to Italy next before hosting France and then rounding off their campaign in Wales. The positive for Scotland is that they have picked up a losing bonus point in both games so far. Scotland are 2/5 odds-on favourites to finish fifth in the table* (betting odds taken from Betfair on February 11th, 2020 at 21:47)
Italy 2000/1*
The Italians were rank outsiders coming into the tournament. That’s where they stay. It’s been a total of 77 points conceded by then in their two games against Wales and France. Italy are 1/14 to finish bottom* (betting odds taken from Bet365 on February 11th, 2020 at 21:47)
* (betting odds taken from Bet365 on February 11th, 2020 at 21:47)
