Sports Blog 05/02/2015: Tournament Preview – Six Nations 2015 Round 1, Friday 6th & Saturday 7th February 2015

This year’s Six Nations begins on Friday, and in a World Cup year the tournament is a vital step in building momentum before the main event in September.

Spreadex are offering a host of different betting options, including a 60-40-20-10-5-0 Outright Index, Finishing Positions spreads (according to the official table x10, min MU 10, max MU 60), fixed odds on the tournament winner, grand slams and top tryscorer, as well as a multitude of in-game options.



With all the weekend’s games on BBC One, the tournament kicks off as England face the intimidating prospect of playing Wales at the Millennium Stadium at 8.05pm. England have extra pressure come September as the World Cup takes place at home, and Friday night provides Stuart Lancaster’s side with a chance to kick their 2015 campaign off in style. They will be looking to put to bed the nightmare that was their 30-3 defeat in Cardiff two years ago, but with a squad heavy with injuries may face an uphill battle. Strong going forward, decision making has been an issue, so it will be an important tournament for George Ford at fly-half; similarly, there will be big expectations around Jonny May, Spreadex’s favourite to be top tryscorer at 6/1. With 3 games at home this year, a first or second finish for the past 4 championships and a point to prove, England are at an Outright Index spread of 34-37.

Yet with a Millennium fortress at their disposal, 4 titles (including 3 grand slams) in the last decade, and England and Ireland at home, Wales are not to be messed with. A strong championship from George North, 7/1 to be top tryscorer, Lee Halfpenny and Rhys Webb will boost the Red Dragons to no end and compared to England, Wales have very few injuries, with 11 of the players that caused England to suffer that heavy defeat 2 years ago likely to start on Friday. Both teams will be desperate to avoid an opening game embarrassment, and set the tone for this all-important international year. Wales are behind England and Ireland in our Outright Index at 28-31; however our Spreadex clients are fancying a narrow Welsh win at a Wales/England Supremacy spread betting quote of 3.5-5.5, with a Total Points spread of 37-40.

Saturday then sees the perpetual wooden-spoon holders Italy take on an Ireland side that many are fancying to take the tournament at 2.30pm. Despite Italy beating Samoa last autumn, it’s hard to see beyond the other sides in this championship, with only Sergio Parisse really able to make the difference for the Italian team. They have been bottom of the table in 5 of the last 7 seasons, and facing last year’s champions is no easy first game. At an Outright Index spread of only 0.25-1.5, Jacques Brunel will be hoping the atmosphere at the Olympic Stadium can help his team to a surprise win on Saturday afternoon.



After winning the Six Nations last year in Joe Schmidt’s first season as coach, beating Australia and South Africa, and currently ranked third in the world, Ireland will be feeling confident heading into their game in Rome. Ireland have a few injuries, but if players like Connor Murray, currently troubled with a neck problem, can make an appearance this tournament Ireland’s impressive squad, that sees Tommy Bowe at 9/1 and Simon Zebo at 10/1 to be top tryscorer, will be further bolstered. With Paul O’Connell set to retire after this year’s World Cup, a Six Nation’s win would begin the perfect send-off for the Irish legend, and with both England and France at home this season, at an Outright Index spread of 34-37 our traders think this possibility could be likely. Ireland are also favourites to achieve a grand slam, with a fixed odds price of 11/2. In terms of Saturday’s game, our clients are unsurprisingly fancying an Ireland/Italy (h) Supremacy spread betting quote of 11-15, with a Total Points spread of 37-40.

The final game of this opening weekend sees two teams try and beat their frustrating finishes in past years, as France host Scotland at 5.00pm. France haven’t finished in the top 3 for the past 3 seasons, and for a team with such a rich rugby history this is a dismal set of results. However, an opening game against Scotland is a more forgiving fixture than it could have been, and with 3 players in Spreadex’s top 10 tryscorers, the French side looks solid going forward. Despite some slight off-pitch issues, Teddy Thomas is at 8/1 to be top tryscorer, alongside Yoann Huget at 10/1 and Wesley Fofana at 16/1. France are near the middle of the pack in terms of the Outright Index, with a spread of 23-26, and at 14/1 to get a grand slam.

Like France, Scotland have been frustrated in recent years. However, a fresh coaching regime under Vern Cotter apparently has players pleased, and a new pitch at Murrayfield is setting a tone of new beginnings in the Scotland camp. The Scots will be looking to the Dutch-born Tim Visser to lead the charge going forward, at 16/1 to score the most tries, but may be without Stuart Hogg who is struggling with injury. Whilst only at an Outright Index spread of 9-12, Scotland are more than capable of causing a few upsets as the tournament goes on. However, our clients still fancy the French at a France/Scotland Supremacy spread betting quote 11-14, with a Total Points quote of 40-43.