England, Ireland and France Fancied on Six Nations Opening Weekend

Three massive fixtures kick off in the Six Nations Tournament this weekend and the Friday fixture is shaping up to be an especially interesting match. Wales vs England will be the feature while Italy vs Ireland and France vs Scotland complete the Saturday card in one of Rugby Union’s biggest international tournaments.

England face a (-3.0) handicap in their fixture against Wales and many expect them to get one over the Welshmen. England are considered the slight favourites to win the tournament according to the major bookmakers with France just a shade behind them.

At the moment, England are available around 15/8 for the outright tournament win while the French trade at 9/4. Expect England’s price to drop slightly if they get the result against Wales and punters can also bank on them to drop substantially if they win by 10 points or more.

Wales don’t really look in the mix for a tournament win with a price floating around 7/1.

In regards to the match betting between Wales and England, punters will find England floating around 4/6 while Wales trade at 6/5. Expect a late price cut on Friday morning for England.

Ireland enter their match against perennial whipping boys Italy as distinct 1/8 favourites with the continental side trading at a lengthy 9/2. Ireland will be expected to navigate a (-12.0) handicap and, if they play to potential, it remains a distinct possibility.

Scotland have been just a rung above Italy for quite some time and they will need to muster up everything they’ve got if they are expecting a result against France. The French side trade at 1/10 while Scotland are a lengthy 11/2. The handicap for France is (-13.0).

A three-match parlay on all the favourites to win pays out at just over even money, while all three favourites to navigate their respective handicaps pays out at a massive 7.28.