The Six Nations Championship is an annual international men’s rugby union competition between the teams of England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales. The current champions are Wales, who won the 2021 tournament.
Running Date: Sat, 5 Feb 2022 – Sat, 19 Mar 2022
England
After a disastrous 2021 campaign, the Red Rose head coach has decided to freshen up the squad as they attempt to regain the title they last won in 2020. Expectations are always high in the England camp and no doubt they fell below the required standards in the previous tournament as they equalled their worst-ever championship finish.
Scotland
Gregor Townsend’s team start their preparation for the Guinness Six Nations as a side capable of beating any team on any given day. England, France and Australia all learned that the hard way last year, while only an untimely red card against Wales scuppered another standout win.
Scotland have not won the Championship in 23 years but momentum is so crucial in the Guinness Six Nations, and they could hardly start with a bigger game – England at home in the Calcutta Cup.
Wales
Wales are looking to defend their crown from last year but face strong competition, particularly from a France side packed with incredible talent and seemingly destined for greatness.
The age-defying Alun Wyn Jones is expected to lead Wales into the competition once again which will be massive with his leadership qualities alone impossible to replace.
Ireland
Ireland go into the tournament this year on the back of a memorable 29-20 win over the All Blacks in Dublin.
No team will find an easy game, home or away, against Ireland but they will have to travel to both Paris and London this year which means they will have to overcome at least one if not both of the two tournament favourites on their own patches to claim the title.
Italy
It’s incredible to think that Italy haven’t won a Six Nations match since they beat Scotland 22-19 at Murrayfield back in 2015. Unlike the other five teams in the competition, the goal of the Italians isn’t to win the trophy… it’s to just win a game, any game.
It’s hard to see where that victory comes from this year, they’ll probably see the home match with Scotland as there best opportunity but even that will require an off day from the Scots.
France
All the signs and the pundits point to this being France’s year to claim the championship for the first time since 2010. That Grand Slam winning side of 12 years ago featured memorable names the likes of Frédéric Michalak, Sébastien Chabal and 2011 World Rugby Player of the Year Thierry Dusautoir.
2021 World Rugby Player of the Year Antoine Dupont is the star man but far from the only top quality player in a team of exceptionally gifted athletes.
Summary
France on paper look like the stand-out team this year, but they wont have an easy ride by any stretch. Wales are always hard to beat and will still be but we cant see them replicating last years triumph. After there worst Six Nations maybe ever England will be looking to improve massively and we think they will.
Our surprise package is Ireland, we don’t see them winning but we see them in the mix and are going out on a limb to place them in 2nd.
Scotland will create problems for all the teams but we cant see them causing to much damage and can see Italy maybe (Big Maybe) claiming there first win in 7ish years vs the Scots, this should be a good game to watch for a neutral.
Our Picks (Outright)
England win @5/2
Ireland Top 2 Finish @10/11
1st = England, 2nd = Ireland @8/1
France 3rd @7/2
Best Six Nations Betting Picks and Previews
Image Credit: telecomasia.net