The wait is almost over and it’s nearly time for rugby fans to embrace their most tribal instincts for the 2022 edition of the Six Nations.
Last year’s edition of the tournament cemented its status as not just rugby’s best competition but one of sport’s finest events, delivering drama by the bucket load as Wales scooped the top prize.
The Welsh weren’t expected to win their sixth Six Nations title, let alone come within a whisker of a Grand Slam, sparking hope of a five-way battle for the championship this year.
France enter the event as 7/5 favourites and it’s easy to see why with their squad full to the brim of talent.
Les Bleus put the rugby world on notice with a 40-25 demolition of New Zealand in the autumn but they weren’t alone in overcoming the All Blacks at the back end of last year.
Irish Rugby on the Crest of a Wave
Ireland too claimed the scalp of the Kiwis in emphatic fashion – despite the not so emphatic 29-20 scoreline – maintaining the momentum that started during last year’s Six Nations.
Andy Farrell’s men suffered narrow defeats to Wales and France in their opening two matches but have since rattled off eight straight wins, including a resounding victory over England.
They’ll hope that win stands them in good stead for the trip to Twickenham this year, which hasn’t always been a happy hunting ground for Ireland, losing on seven of their last eight visits.
They must also go to France but this Ireland team looks to be made of sterner stuff and enter this Six Nations with the majority of their squad fit and firing.
The success of Irish teams in Europe this year – all four provinces have reached the knockout stages of the Champions Cup – is an indication of the strength in depth at Farrell’s disposal, while the coach can also call upon a revitalised Johnny Sexton.
Ireland’s point-scoring worries of the past appear to be behind them too, averaging over 44 points per game during their ongoing winning run.
Throw into the mix the fact they can be trusted to win their three home matches at fortress Aviva, where they’ve won 25 of the last 27 outings, and they are the preferred choice at 11/4 to claim the title.
Six Nations Wait Goes on for France
France are likely to push Ireland hard as they chase a first Six Nations title in 12 years and the round two meeting between the pair could decide the fate of the title.
The concerns with Fabien Galthie’s men is inconsistency on the road – they’ve lost half of their away games since the World Cup – and the readiness of several key members of their squad, including star man Antoine Dupont, who has only played once since December.
Covid issues have again hit the French camp in the build and they could yet again end up playing the role of bridesmaid for a third straight year with a straight forecast of Ireland first and France second paying out at 6/1.
England Enter the Unknown
England are 11/4 to bounce back from last year’s fifth place by winning the tournament but are tough to trust, despite some impressive autumn displays.
For the first time since 2015, England will be without Owen Farrell for a Six Nations campaign and while that might allow them to play with more freedom, they will miss his experience and leadership on the pitch. They are yet to name who will captain the side in Farrell’s absence.
Head coach Eddie Jones has done away with many of the players who took the team to the 2019 Rugby World Cup final after last year’s Six Nations failure, bringing through a new crop of players, led by Harlequins fly-half Marcus Smith.
While there’s no questioning that they are a talented bunch, a lot of them are yet to be tested away from the comfort of Twickenham and won’t find life easy when they go to Murrayfield and the Stade de France.
Scotland and Wales Could Wreck Grand Slam Dream
With Italy’s title hopes firmly discounted given they’ve lost 32 Six Nations matches in a row, the potential for an upset winner lies with Scotland and Wales.
Despite being the defending champions, the Welsh are 10/1 to retain their crown having seen their squad hit hard by injuries.
The likes of Alun Wyn Jones, Ken Owens, George North, Justin Tipuric and Taulupe Faletau are all absent, while Wales have a nasty habit of underperforming in the year following a strong Six Nations performance.
They are still capable of bringing down the likes of England and France on their day, as too are a Scotland side who continue to make steady improvement under Gregor Townsend.
They are 9/1 to win the Six Nations having enjoyed a strong campaign in 2021, winning in Paris and London. A lack of consistency and the fact it feels like we’ve been here before with high hopes for Scotland cast doubt over their title chances but much like Wales, they are to be feared.
With the competition levels so high, a Grand Slam winner seems unlikely and is 5/7 that no side completes a clean sweep this year.
*All odds correct at time of writing.