Six Nations weekend tips: Scotland to upset odds against England

Ireland v Wales

Saturday 5 February, 2.15pm

Injury-ravaged Wales begin the defence of their Six Nations title with a daunting trip to Dublin for the tournament’s curtain-raising fixture on Saturday, where in-form Ireland in wait.

Confidence of an Irish title bid is high after an eight-game winning streak stretching back almost a year, the highlight of which was a superb 29-20 win over number-one ranked New Zealand at the Aviva in November.

Wales ran out 21-16 winners in this fixture last year in another opening day clash in Cardiff, but their task this time around has been made all the more challenging by the selection issues facing coach Wayne Pivac.

Inspirational captain Alun Wyn Jones has been ruled out for the tournament, and the cast of players sitting on the treatment table have more than 700 caps between them.

Leigh Halfpenny, Ken Owens, Josh Navidi, Justin Tipuric, George North, Dan Lydiate and Taulupe Faletau join Jones on the treatment table ahead of the trip to Dublin.

Considering Andy Farrell’s comparably full-strength selection, their recent hot form and the backing of a packed Dublin crowd finally able to roar its team on in the Six Nations again, it's tough to look past a comfortable Irish victory.

Tip: Asian Handicap, Ireland -13.5 at 1.86

A winning start can make or break a Six Nations campaign

Scotland v England

Saturday 5 February, 4.45pm

An opening day Calcutta Cup is a mouth-watering prospect, and victory in the latest instalment of rugby’s oldest rivalry will provide a huge momentum boost for the winner's Six Nations title bid.

Scotland are once again being talked up as dark horses for the tournament and with a slim injury list, impressive recent form and a boisterous Edinburgh crowd behind them, they will fancy their chances of getting a result against their rivals.

With all eight of their British & Irish Lions contingent fit and firing, including creative wizard Finn Russell, 2021 Player of the Tournament Hamish Watson and 2021 top try scorer Duhan van der Merwe, the Scots are loaded with dangerous weapons. 

England have only managed one win in their last four Calcutta Cup meetings, and are looking for revenge after suffering their first Twickenham defeat to the Scots since 1983 last year, when Eddie Jones’ side finished fifth.   

Jones hasn’t had the easiest preparation for the tournament, losing his captain Owen Farrell to injury in the build-up along with Courtney Lawes, Jonny May, Jonny Hill, Anthony Watson, Sam Underhill and Manu Tuilagi. 

The loss of Farrell, who Jones had earmarked as star-in-the-making Marcus Smith’s on-pitch mentor, is a significant blow.

The England skipper had featured in all 30 of England’s previous Six Nations matches under Jones, becoming the only player from any nation to appear in every single Championship match since the start of 2016.

Scotland’s unpredictable nature was on display last year, when they defeated England and France away, only to fall to Wales and Ireland at home by a combined four points, but they are good value to spring a surprise at Murrayfield. 

Tip: Scotland to win at 2.38. 

France v Italy

Sunday 6 February, 3pm

Tournament favourites France open their bid for a first Six Nations title in 12 years against an Italian side who haven’t won any game in the tournament for seven years.

In what looks on paper to be the most one-sided fixture of this year’s Championship, the Azzurri head to the Stade de France needing a miracle to overcome Fabien Galthie’s star-studded cast.

Led by World Player of the Year Antoine Dupont, France’s ability to put opponents to the sword with swashbuckling attacks has been reinforced by newfound discipline and defensive organisation, making them a force to be feared heading towards next year’s Rugby World Cup on home soil.

A thumping 40-25 win over the All Blacks in November was perhaps the greatest sign yet of the strides Les Bleus have taken, and nothing less than a handsome win is expected in their Paris opener.

Italy, under new management in coach Kieran Crowley, managed to get their first win since the 2019 World Cup when by beating Uruguay in November.

A competitive display, or even an elusive bonus point lacking since 2018, would be something to build on here as this youthful side looks to turn potential into performances, but a handsome French win seems the most sensible pick. 

Tip: Asian Handicap, France -29.5 at 1.48