The Six Nations Championship is one of the most popular international Rugby union tournaments in the world. Apart from the Rugby World Cup, it is perhaps THE most highly anticipated tournament in the game and takes place annually from February to March. The six nations that contest the event each year are England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Italy and France. Get ready for some exciting Six Nations betting.
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#1
bet365
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T&Cs APPLY, 18+ ONLY
Up to £100 in Bet Credits for new customers at bet365. Min deposit £5. Bet Credits available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. #ad |
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#2
Coral
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T&Cs APPLY, 18+ ONLY
18+. UK+IRE only. Paypal & some deposit & bet types excl. Min first bet £5 a odds 1/2 or more. Tote and Pool excluded. Must be placed within 14 days of account reg. £20 credited as 2 x £10 free bets. Not valid with CashOut. Free bet valid for 7 days. Free bet stake not returned. 18+ T&Cs Apply. #ad |
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#3
Paddy Power
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#4
BetVictor
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#5
BoyleSports
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T&Cs APPLY, 18+ ONLY
*18+. UK Customers (Excluding NI) only. Cash stakes only. Min £10 stake required for initial £5 free bet. Min odds ½. Max £25 in free bets. Subsequent free bets equal 50% average of each 3 qualifying bets. 13 bets required to receive full £25 free bet. Qualifying bet must be placed within 30 days of opening account. Cashed out bets will not qualify towards your average stake. One free bet offer per customer, household or IP address only. Free bet expires after 7 days. Payment method restrictions apply. T&Cs apply.**18+. Opt in. UK/IRE customers only. Max refund £/€20. Win or win part of e/w outright singles only. 5 or more runners. 1st bet on each race. Free bet expires after 7 days. Free/void/antepost bets don’t qualify. T&Cs apply/ #ad |
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Best Six Nations Betting Sites – Top 5 Ranked
1.) bet365
2.) Coral
3.) Paddy Power
4.) BetVictor
5.) BoyleSports
Six Nations Odds, Tips & Predictions
The 2021 Rugby Union Six Nations, as well as the Six Nations betting, will begin in Rome on Saturday the 6th of February and finish on Sunday the 21st of March when France host Wales in Paris. The nature of the draw means that some sides will, on a biannual basis, play more games at home than away. So, while this year’s renewal opens with Italy versus France, the corresponding fixture in 2022 will reverse the scenario and take place in Paris rather than Rome. Teams play five fixtures each year, three at home and two away or two at home and three away. In a normal season, this provides home advantage, but it is too early to say whether crowds will be allowed to attend the 2021 event.
2021 Six Nations Betting Odds
| Team | Odds | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Wales | 5/6 | BetFair |
| France | 6/4 | Gentingbet |
| Scotland | 18/1 | Paddy Power |
| England | 100/1 | BetFair |
| Ireland | 100/1 | Paddy Power |
2021 Six Nations Betting Tips
Rugby World Cup runners up and reigning Six Nation champs, England, are the favourites to retain their title after belatedly winning 2020’s disrupted campaign. Were it not for a cruel six month injury suffered by Manu Tuilagi in October, England would likely be going off as odds-on favourites once more. The current crop of emerging talents that make up the core of the French squad are well considered to provide Eddie Jones’s England with their toughest challenge. As for Wales, captain and appearances in tests record holder, Alun Wyn Jones suffered a knee injury last month when leading the Dragons against Italy during an Autumn Nations Cup match. Such misfortune, even with a month left to go, has to throw Welsh hopes into jeopardy. While Italy are the rightful favourites to lift yet another wooden spoon, Scotland, who open at Twickenham in another renewal of the Calcutta Cup, remain unlikely to shake things up. One good potential select is Owen Farrell to be the top point scorer come Sunday March 21. Plenty to look for in this Six Nations betting season.
Rugby Six Nations Fixtures 2021
| Date and Time (GMT)Match | Match | Venue | Broadcast Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday February 6, 14:15 | Italy V France | Stadio Olimpico, Rome | ITV 1 |
| Saturday February 6, 16:45 | England V Scotland | Twickenham, London | ITV 1 |
| Sunday February 7, 15:00 | Wales V Ireland | Principality Stadium, Cardiff | BBC 1 |
| Saturday February 13, 14:15 | England V Italy | Twickenham, London | ITV 1 |
| Saturday February 13, 16:45 | Scotland V Wales | BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh | BBC 1 |
| Sunday February 14, 15:00 | Ireland V France | Aviva Stadium, Dublin | ITV 1 |
| Saturday February 27, 14:15 | Italy V Ireland | Stadio Olimpico, Rome | ITV 1 |
| Saturday February 27, 16:45 | Wales V England | Principality Stadium, Cardiff | BBC 1 |
| Sunday February 28, 15:00 | France V Scotland | Stade de France, Paris | BBC 1 |
| Saturday March 13, 14:15 | Italy V Wales | Stadio Olimpico, Rome | ITV 1 |
| Saturday March 13, 16:45 | England V France | Twickenham, London | ITV 1 |
| Sunday March 14, 15:00 | Scotland V Ireland | BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh | BBC 1 |
| Saturday March 20, 14:15 | Scotland V Italy | BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh | BBC 1 |
| Saturday March 20, 16:45 | Ireland V England | Aviva Stadium, Dublin | ITV 1 |
| Sunday March 21, 15:00 | France V Wales | Stade de France, Paris | BBC 1 |
Popular Six Nations Betting Markets
Following on from what is always a quiet January, the Six Nations, which traditionally begins in early February, can be considered to arguably be the first big sporting event of the year to entrance viewers.
Even non Rugby fans tend to find the time to watch these 15x 80 minute wonders, which are broadcast on free to air TV due to their Grade A event national protection – for the time being at least – along with the Olympic Games, the FA Cup final, Wimbledon, the FIFA World Cup, the UEFA European Championships and the Rugby World Cup final. Because games have such a wide ranging audience, general sports fans watch these games along with true Rugby fans, helping to make Rugby betting and, indeed, Six Nations betting, intense and plentiful.
Outright Winner of the Six Nations
A nice and simple bet that is placed on the team that you believe will win the tournament. Note, you do not need, unless you have stated so, for your chosen team to win the Triple Crown or the Grand Slam in order to collect on this bet. While they can make for a nice fun bet, this particular bet is reserved for the nation that finishes the tournament on the top of the table and is ultimately crowned the winner.
Best Six Nations betting site for outright winner: Coral
Six Nations Triple Crown Winner
Seeing as we mentioned it above, it would be remiss not to go into more detail on the Triple Crown. The Triple Crown CANNOT be won by either Italy or France. This particular award can only go to the competing Home Nations. The Home Nations are the nations that make up the United Kingdom. These are England, Scotland, Wales and a united Ireland. In order to win the triple crown, one of these teams must beat each other British home nation team when they meet in a solitary campaign.
The award does add flavour to the competition but has no real relevance outside of the tourney other than providing bragging rights. Should a team also go on to beat France and Italy as well, they will win the Grand Slam, the award for winning all five fixtures during a campaign. Both of these can be exploited for a betting opportunity. Either “will a team win the Grand Slam?” or, for higher odds, “will a specified team win the Grand Slam?”. Whatever you choose, it’s an exciting bet to make.
Best Six Nations betting site for Triple Crown or Grand Slam: 888sport
Winner of Individual Six Nations Trophies
In the Six Nations, there are individual trophies awarded to the winners of certain fixtures (listed below) which can be bet on and can be bet on ante post too. Essentially, if you are betting on the winner of the Calcutta Cup, you are backing the team that you think will win when England play Scotland. You could, if you like, even accumulate the various winners in a stacked bet for extra fun and extra awards, remembering to cash out if necessary.
Best Six Nations betting site for winners of the various trophies: Ladbrokes
Leading Six Nations Try Scorer
This is the Rugby equivalent of a top goal scorer bet in football or top run maker in cricket. It is simply a bet on the player, usually a winger, who will record more runs in the tournament than any other. If you are unsure on who to pick for this bet, then finding out the best Rugby betting tips is advised.
Best Six Nations betting site for leading scorer: Betfred
Six Nations Tournament Structure
The format for the Six Nations is incredibly easy to understand as each team plays every other team only once, alternating between home and away matches each year. Matches are played across Europe with London’s Twickenham, Stade de France in Paris, Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff and the Stadio Olimpico in Rome acting as the venues for the tournament.
There is no play-off or final match with the Six Nations Championship either, simply the team that finishes on top of the league is the winner. Teams are awarded 4 points for each winning match, plus 2 for a draw. Teams are also able to collect performance based points, such as one bonus point for scoring at least four tries or for losing by 7 points or less. There are also three bonus points to be won should a team win the Grand Slam.
The Six Nations Championship pits England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales against each other over the course of five rugby-packed weekends. Depending on the corresponding fixture’s venue the previous year, teams play each other just once either home or away, alternating annually. Points are collected by winning games or avoiding defeat plus performance-based bonus points are up for grabs too. All points are applied to a league and the team to finish top are crowned the winners.
Rugby Union Six Nations Individual Trophies
Aside from the Six Nations Championship itself, there are a number of smaller, localised trophies awarded for winning a particular match or accomplishing specific achievements.
Calcutta Cup
The Calcutta Cup is awarded to the victorious team in a match between England and Scotland. That cup dates back to 1879 and was given its name because it was an idea that was conceived in India and is decorated with cobras and elephants. In the history of the Calcutta Cup, England are by far the more successful of the two sides.
Millennium Trophy
Despite its name, the Millennium Trophy only came into existence in 1988 and is the trophy fought for between Ireland and England, becoming a Six Nations (then five nations) trophy in 1989. Again, England are the most successful of the two competing sides.
Centenary Quaich
The Centenary Quaich, a Quaich being a Celtic drinking bowl, has been presented to the winner of Ireland v Scotland since 1989, with Scotland winning the first trophy after a 37-21 win over Ireland.
Auld Alliance Trophy
First awarded in 2018 to commemorate the centenary of the end of World War I, the Auld Alliance Trophy is a trophy handed to the winner of France V Scotland in honour of the French and Scottish Rugby players who never returned home from the frontline.
Doddie Weir Cup
Contested between Wales and Scotland, the Doddie Weir Cup was established in 2018 and takes its name from former Scotland international lock Doddie Weir who was diagnosed with Motor neuron disease one year earlier. Whether in Cardiff or Edinburgh, some of the ticketing profits are paid towards Weir’s MND charity My Name'5 Doddie.
Giuseppe Garibaldi Trophy
Named after the Italian revolutionary, and former French army general, Giuseppe Garibaldi, this trophy is awarded to winners when France and Italy meet each year. France are the more successful of the two nations.
Triple Crown
An award that Italy and France cannot compete for, the Triple Crown is a prize that only the four home unions – England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland – are able to win. It can only be won when one of these four teams beats all three of the other home nation sides. As such, the Triple Crown is not guaranteed to be awarded every year.
Grand Slam
If a team wins all five of their Six Nations matches then they have achieved the Grand Slam. England, Wales and France have won the Grand Slam more than anyone else, while it is a feat that Italy have never attained.
The Wooden Spoon
When you put a bet on the winner of The Wooden Spoon, you are placing a wager on the team that you believe will finish at the bottom of the Six Nations table. For the record, since joining the competition in 2000, Italy have finished bottom on 12 occasions, while Scotland have finished last four times leaving Wales and France to prop up the table one time each.
History of the Six Nations
The inaugural Six Nations Championship was held in 1883, 12 years after England and Scotland had contested the first ever rugby union international, and only included England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland which was at the time still part of the United Kingdom. Back then, the event was labelled the Home Nations Championship and was initially won by the English and the Scottish before Wales enjoyed a period of domination. It Wasn’t until 1894 that Ireland recorded their first ever Six Nations win. In 1888 and 1889, England were excluded from competing after their refusal to sign up to the International Rugby Football Board.
Although they competed in four tournaments previously, France didn’t officially join until 1910. This, naturally, meant that the tourney became known as the Five Nations. In 1931, following professionalism accusations, France were expelled from the competition, not participating again until re-joining in 1939 but, due to conflict in Europe, international rugby was paused until 1947, meaning France would have to wait to get involved. France would go on to win their first title in 1959 before enjoying substantial success throughout the1960s and 1970s. The tournament played out the rest of the century as the Five Nations before Italy joined in 2000 as the tournament rebranded itself as the Six Nations.
Past Winners of the Six Nations
Six Nations Key Stats
- England are the most successful team in the Six Nations tournament history, having won the event 70 times.
- It is Wales, however, who have won the most Grand Slams, with a total of four.
- In over 100 games played since they joined the competition in 2000, Italy have only won 12 matches.
Upcoming Sporting Events
Six Nations Betting FAQs
🙋 What are the Best Sites for Rugby’s Six Nations Betting?
The best Six Nations betting sites are Coral, Paddy Power and BetVictor.
🇨🇭 Where Can I Watch the Six Nations Rugby?
Viewers in the UK can watch all the action live on both BBC 1 and ITV 1.
📵 How often does the Six Nations Championship take place?
The Championships are held annually, starting each February and finishing in March.
🇦🇹 Can I Place a Bet on the Team That Finishes Last in the Six Nations Championships?
Yes, it’s called the Wooden Spoon and most bookies will accept bets on the recipient.
🔵 Can I Bet on Rugby in Play?
Yes, online bookmakers will offer real time odds as the game is ongoing.
ThePuntersPage Final Say
The Rugby Union Six Nations tournament, and six nations betting, is considered to be the second biggest Rugby Union competition in the world, even though only England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland, France and Italy contest it each year. The championship has been in its current six team format since 2000 when Italy first participated, extending the competition from five to Six Nations. Since then, the most successful team has been England with 6 wins, followed by France winning it 5 times and Wales and Ireland 4 times each. It is this closeness and unpredictability that makes the Six Nations a great betting event, with all manner of bet types available. From picking the winner of the championships, the Triple Crown or Grand Slam, to picking the potential winner of the Wooden Spoon, should there even be one, there is always something to bet on with the Rugby Union Six Nations.
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