• Written by Steven Harrison
• Categories Rugby

Six Nations Championship Rugby Union Match Review and Latest News

The wait is finally over for Rugby Union fans as the major tournament of the year kicks off this coming weekend. That’s right, the Six Nations is back!

In terms of sheer adrenaline, tension and brutal drama, there are few sporting events to top this one and we can’t wait for it to begin. So what’s in store in week one?

Six Nations Championship Rugby Union at bet365 (18+, Gamble Responsibly)

Wales v Scotland PREVIEW
It all kicks off at 14:15 on Saturday 3rd February 2018 at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff plays host to the “Dragons” of Wales tackling a much-improved Scotland side. On paper, this looks just about the most evenly matched of the opening round of fixtures.

Whilst Scotland arrive here as the more in-form team, having incredibly put 53 points past Australia in the Autumn – and did also beat Wales 29 – 13 at Murrayfield in this competition last year – the Welsh are a different proposition on home turf, and the stadium will no doubt be in a fervour for the tournament opener.

Wales v Scotland 6 Nations Championship Rugby Union at bet365 (18+, Gamble Responsibly)

Looking at the two sides, we would give the edge to the Scotland backline, with Hamish Watson, in particular, being in the outstanding form of late. Should this develop into a scrappy game dominated by the forwards though, the Scottish could be in for a long afternoon.

• Tip: Scotland to win at 11/8 with bet365 (odds at 11:00, subject to change)

t odds are correct at time of publishing (with a clear date and timestamp showing when such odds were published) and are subject to change.

France v Ireland PREVIEW
With five tournament wins since this event moved to the current format in the year 2000, France sits just one behind England in the list of most successful nations. How they will fare this year is really anyone’s guess, with a raft of injuries and surprising selections making this a squad scattered with virtual unknowns on the international stage. They should at the very least be exciting to watch though, especially at home, with 19-year-old fly half Matthieu Jailbert, in particular, looking a potential star.

France v Ireland 6 Nations Championship Rugby Union at bet365 (18+, Gamble Responsibly)

As for Ireland, they are many shrewd judges pick to upset the favorites, England and take home this year Six Nations title. They certainly have the squad to do so on paper, even accounting for a few key injuries of their own, and will be looking to hit the ground running. With the weather set fair in Paris, we expect this to be the most open matchup of the opening round.

• Tip: France +6 at Evs with bet365 (odds at 11:00, subject to change)

Italy v England PREVIEW
Rounding off the opening week of fixtures we have the most successful nation in Six Nations history – and hot favorites to take home the prize once again this year – England, traveling to the Stadio Olimpico to tackle the perennial wooden spoon winners, Italy. Lacking the strength in depth of the other squads in the competition, Italy do tend to fade as the weeks go by and the bruising encounters begin to take their toll. As such, the opening week may well be the most dangerous time for England to face the “Azzurri”.

.Italy v England 6 Nations Championship Rugby Union at bet365 (18+, Gamble Responsibly)

England has been dominant under Eddie Jones though and it would be a major shock should they suffer what would be only the second defeat of his 24 match reign at the hands of the Italians. Can England avoid this potential banana skin?

• Tip: England -21 at Evs with bet365 (odds at 11:00, subject to change)