Six Nations 2008

France are the defending champions and they will be hoping for a record third successive win under their new coach, Marc Lièvremont. Brian Ashton has steadied the ship with England and after his side's Wold Cup heroics he will be hoping they are strong contenders in 2008.

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Ireland, last year's Triple Crown winners, had an appaling World Cup campaign and coach Eddie O'Sullivan will want to put the record straight and and prove to their fans that they are a top team who can perform under pressure.

Scotland will hope to continue on their World Cup form and coach Frank Hadden is confident this side can make an impact. Wales and new coach, Warren Gatland, will hope to rediscover the form that saw them crowned Six Nations Champions in 2005.

Italy, despite a poor World Cup, continue to grow stronger every year and under their coach Nick Mallet will offer a particularly stern challenge at home in Rome.

Fixtures for Six Nations 2008

Sat 2nd Feb 14:00 Ireland v Italy (Croke Park); 16:30 England v Wales (Twickenham) 
 
Sun 3rd Feb 15:00 Scotland v France (Murrayfield) 
 
Sat 9th Feb 14:00 Wales v Scotland (Millennium Stadium); 17:00 France v Ireland (Stade de France)
 
Sun 10th Feb 15:30 Italy v England (Stadio Flaminio) 

Sat 23rd Feb 15:00 Wales v Italy (Millennium Stadium); 17:00 Ireland v Scotland (Croke Park); 21:00 France v England (Stade de France) 
 
Sat 8th Mar 13:15 Ireland v Wales (Croke Park);15:15 Scotland v England (Murrayfield) 
 
Sun 9th Mar 16:00 France v Italy (Stade de France) 
 
Sat 15th Mar 14:00 Italy v Scotland (Stadio Flaminio); 15:00 England v Ireland (Twickenham); 17:00 Wales v France (Millennium Stadium)

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Six Nations Betting

Outright: France 6/4; England 3; Ireland 5; Wales 9; Scotland 16

To Finish Bottom: Italy (1/2), Scotland (11/4), Wales (7)

Grand Slam: No Winner (8/11), France (3), England (13/2)

Triple Crown: England (6/4), No Winner (2), Ireland (7/2)