There’s no doubting that reigning supreme in the annual Six Nations Championship is high on the agenda of rugby’s northern hemisphere teams each and every year. However, 2023’s instalment will hold even greater importance, with it acting as a precursor to the Rugby World Cup that takes place in France in August and September.
Whether it be trialling new squad members, solidifying combinations or simply gaining a psychological advantage six months out from the sport’s preeminent event – this year’s Six Nations could prove as crucial preparation.
France will be looking to lift the Six Nations Championship Trophy for a second consecutive year – having won 2022’s competition with five victories from as many appearances – and in doing so – won both the Six Nations and the Grand Slam for the first time since 2010. Ireland were runners-up and secured the Triple Crown for the sixth time in the Six Nations era.
While France and Ireland are favoured to be the two teams battling it out for Six Nations supremacy once again this year – there’s still enough talent across the other four teams to cause plenty of headaches. With that in mind, read on as we take an in-depth look at each team’s form heading into the Six Nations.
Ireland
Currently the number one ranked team in world rugby, the Andy Farrell-coached Ireland outfit are on an exceptional run of form that include six straight wins dating back to February of last year. Their most recent performances in the Autumn Nations Series were particularly impressive, dominating Fiji 35-7 before securing hard-fought wins against southern hemisphere heavyweights South Africa and Australia 19-16 and 13-10 respectively.
That’s not to mention their historic three-game series triumph in the Land of the Long White Cloud – where Johnny Sexton and company defeated the All Blacks on their home turf in late 2021. It was the first time in Ireland’s history that they had beaten the All Blacks in a series in New Zealand, and also marked just the fifth touring side to achieve the feat.
As a result of their ranking and recent form, Ireland enter as the favourite in the Betting Odds for Six Nations at 5/4.
France
While Ireland are the number one ranked side, there are many rugby fans and pundits who are of the belief that France is the best and most talented team in the world as currently constructed. Boasting a squad that includes the likes of World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year Antoine Dupont, Romain Ntamack and Melvyn Jaminet – Les Bleus’ flair, creativity and willingness to play with risk is both entertaining and effective.
That was evidenced by their form in both last year’s Six Nations and Autumn Nations Series – in which they went a perfect nine from nine. Despite their success in competitions, they still sit as the second favourite behind Ireland in the betting lines at 7/4.
England
Whether it be their inconsistency, inability to lock in combinations or their poor play late in games, England has been a shell of the team that progressed to the Rugby World Cup final in Japan in 2019. With dismal campaigns in the last two Six Nations tournaments, in which they finished a distant third and a disappointing fifth respectively – it appears all the hard work and progression that had gotten them to the biggest stage in 2019 has been squandered.
Due to their less than stellar results, there were calls for something to change. The Rugby Football Union (RFU) did just that, sacking coach Eddie Jones in December off the back of just five wins in their past 12 tests. In spite of the turmoil that has surrounded English rugby in recent years, there’s still enough talent in the squad to challenge at the upcoming Six Nations – and with a fresh voice in Steve Borthwick at the helm – it could be the dawn of a new era at Twickenham. England are third favourites to win the Six Nations at 7/2.
Wales
The Welsh rugby team regularly leave you scratching your head. They oftentimes have incredibly talented teams, yet fail to live up to the lofty expectations. 2022 in particular was a year to forget for the Red Dragons, who finished fifth in the Six Nations before losing three of their four Autumn Nations fixtures.
Their 13-12 shock loss to Georgia in Cardiff was particularly discouraging for Welsh fans – with replacement Luke Matkava’s 78th-minute penalty goal proving the difference. It marked the first time Wales had lost to the Eastern European nation. Similarly to Jones, Wales coach Wayne Pivac was let go due to his side’s poor run of form, and was replaced by his predecessor Warren Gatland.
Gatland’s men enter as the fourth favourite to take the Six Nations Championship Trophy home with them, garnering odds of 12/1.
Scotland
While Scotland have often been seen as the United Kingdom team looking from the outside in, their improvement and progression in recent years has been exceptional. With notable victories over the likes of Argentina, England and Australia in the past 18 months – they are a side to keep an eye on at the Six Nations.
With a strong core of experienced players including Stuart Hogg, Hamish Watson, Finn Russell and Duhan van der Merwe – to coincide with up-and-coming prospects Cameron Redpath and Ross Thompson – the future looks bright at Murray Stadium.
For those who enjoy Betting on rugby, given their form and ever-improving squad, Scotland could prove good value at 20/1.
Italy
Despite it being no surprise that Italy enters the Six Nations the widest in the betting lines at 500/1 to win it all, the Azzurri will take plenty of confidence after a relatively successful Autumn Nations campaign in November.
With the exception of their 63-21 loss at the hands of South Africa, Italy were otherwise impressive in their 49-17 win over Samoa and shock 28-27 upset victory against Australia. Italy’s triumph over the Wallabies in Florence marked the first time they had beaten the men in green and gold in history – and if they can display similar form at the Six Nations – they could cause the better-fancied teams some problems.
