Dramatic Dublin winners Wales 7-4 for Six Nations

WALES are 7-4 second-favourites for the Six Nations after a last-gasp, and somewhat controversial, 23-21 win over Ireland in Dublin on Sunday completed round one.

Leigh Halfpenny settled a ding-dong battle – over £150,000 was matched on Ireland on Betfair at 1.20 or under – in the Dragons’ favour with a last-minute penalty.

But that kick and the George North try that brought Wales to within a point of their hosts were notched after their lock Bradley Davies was yellow-carded for a dangerous, off-the-ball tackle that could easily have been interpreted as a sending-off offence.  

France are 6-4 Six Nations favourites but are bigger at 7-2 than Wales (11-4) for a second Grand Slam in three years. England are 10-1 to go unbeaten and 9-2 to keep their title.

No slam is now 11-10 with England versus Wales in round three, France against England in round four and Wales’s clash with France in round five looking the key fixtures. 

Interim Red Rose coach Stuart Lancaster is now 6-4 with Hills to be given the role permanently.

Ireland are out to 8-1 for Six Nations glory.

Bath completed the LV Cup semi-final line-up with a 31-3 win at Exeter on Sunday.