Six Nations 2022 complete guide: betting odds, start date, fixtures, TV details

The drama and intensity of Six Nations rugby is unmatched in the Northern Hemisphere with Europe's biggest rugby playing countries colliding over five rounds to decide who rules the roost.

The 2022 edition of the tournament is the 23rd time England, Scotland, France, Ireland, Wales and Italy have come together for the annual rugby festival, which started on Saturday, February 5.

What happened in round four of the Six Nations?

France kept their Grand Slam dream alive despite a sloppy performance in Cardiff with Les Bleus edging out the hosts 13-9 on Friday night.

An Anthony Jelonch try in the first half set France on their way to a fourth straight win but they had to rely on their defensive skills to keep Wales at bay in the second period as the home team dominated possession and territory, but failed to get over the tryline.

On Saturday, Scotland got back to winning ways after two straight defeats against Italy but it was far from convincing from Gregor Townsend's men as they downed the Azzurri 33-22.

Ireland produced a late burst to stay in the the title hunt with a 32-15 win over England at Twickenham to wrap up round four.

After being reduced to 14-men just 82 seconds in when Charlie Ewels was red-carded for a high tackle, England produced a spirited performance, keeping in touch thanks to the boot of Marcus Smith.

The extra man would eventually tell for Ireland as they wrapped up a bonus-point win thanks to late tries from Jack Conan and Finlay Bealham.

What happened in round three of the Six Nations?

France have taken a stranglehold on the Six Nations after they claimed their third successive win with a 36-17 success over Scotland at Murrayfield.

Damian Penaud went over twice as Les Bleus ran in six tries which gave them a valuable bonus point as they search for their first title since 2010.

Marcus Smith kicked six penalties and number eight Alex Dombrandt capitalised on an overthrown lineout by Ryan Elias as Eddie Jones's England claimed a 23-19 win over Wales at Twickenham.

Meanwhile, in Dublin, Ireland completed a regulation 57-6 victory over whipping boys Italy.

What happened in round two of the Six Nations?

Defeats for Ireland and Scotland mean France are the last team left standing in the race to claim a Grand Slam. Les Bleus edged out Ireland 30-24 in a pulsating match in Paris to make it two wins from two, striking a potentially fatal blow to their title rivals in the process.

Scotland saw their Grand Slam ambitions go up in smoke with yet another defeat in Cardiff, extending the Scots' winless run in in the Welsh capital beyond the 20-year mark. Wales had Dan Biggar to thank for the win, the skipper kicking the winning drop goal as the defending champions bounced back from their humbling loss to Ireland.

England also got back to winning ways following their loss to Scotland with a comfortable bonus-point win in Italy. Jamie George scored twice in the 33-0 win to move England up to second in the table.

What happened in round one of the Six Nations?

Pre-match favourites France and Ireland made light work of Italy and Wales, with Scotland the only underdogs to triumph as they got the better of England. Leading 17-10 with 15 minutes to go, the Calcutta Cup appeared destined to leave Murrayfield with England, who had fly-half Marcus Smith to thank for all their points. But a Finn Russell penalty and then a penalty try conceded in a moment of madness by England's Luke Cowan-Dickie swung the game back in Scotland's favour as they dug in late on to clinch a 20-17 win.

Before the drama at Murrayfield, the Six Nations had started with a straight-forward 29-7 bonus-point win for Ireland over defending champions Wales. Andrew Conway scored twice for the hosts in the second half as Ireland strolled to a ninth successive win.

In Sunday's match France overcame a slow start to eventually pull away from a spirited Italy side, securing a bonus-point with a 37-10 win. Les Bleus scored five tries in total with Gabin Villiere helping himself to three of them to set the early pace in the top tryscorer market.

Who are favourites for the Six Nations?

France remain strong favourites at the head of the Six Nations outright market with their odds largely unchanged from the week before. Les Bleus need a win over England to secure the Championship and are 3-10 to win the title and 4-5 to complete the Grand Slam.

Ireland are the only side with a mathematical chance of catching France, sitting two points behind them but with a superior points difference. Ireland are 9-2 to snatch the title, which they can achieve with a win over Scotland and a France loss to England.

What are the odds for round six of the Six Nations?

The Six Nations concludes with Super Saturday on 19th March and kicks off in Cardiff with Wales playing host to Italy at 2.15pm.

Wales are 1-25 to defeat Wooden Spoon holders Italy, who are 28-point underdogs on the handicap.

The action moves to Dublin at 4.45pm, where Ireland are 1-7 to pick up the win they need at home to a Scotland side that will be keen to see the back of an underwhelming Six Nations campaign.

The grand finale takes place in Paris at 8pm as 5-14 chances France welcome in England. Les Bleus' title aspiration last year were dealt a fatal blow by England at Twickenham but bookmakers aren't expecting a repeat of the Red Rose's victory with the visitors a 12-5 chance.

Who won last year's Six Nations?

Wales are the reigning Six Nations champions having sprung a major surprise to snatch the title for the sixth time last year. Wayne Pivac's men entered the tournament as underdogs having struggled through 2020 but defeated Ireland and England in Cardiff and Italy and Scotland on the road to finish top of the table.

A last-gasp defeat to France in Paris denied Wales the Grand Slam and also left the door open for the French to snatch the title. However, a shock home loss to Scotland in a rearranged encounter saw the pre-tournament favourites forced to settle for second place.

Ireland finished in the bronze medal position, with a strong showing from Scotland only good enough for fourth. Defending champions England were a disappointing fifth, while Italy collected the wooden spoon for the 16th time.

When does the Six Nations start?

The 2022 Six Nations gets underway with Ireland against defending champions Wales in the opening match on Saturday, February 5. Games will take place on the weekends of February 12-13 and 26-27, and in March on 11-12 before wrapping up with Super Saturday on March 19.

Will the Six Nations 2022 go ahead?

The last two editions of the Six Nations have been affected by Covid with last year's tournament taking place behind closed doors.

Covid has continued to disrupt domestic rugby with a number of Premiership and European games either cancelled or postponed this season, while matches in Wales and Scotland have been played without fans in the last two months.

Restrictions on travel and crowds in Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Italy and France introduced to combat the wave of Omicron cases at the end of last year had led to some doubts as to how the 2022 Six Nations would play out.

However, with France loosening travel restrictions and Wales, Scotland and Ireland removing limits on crowds, nearly all the games are scheduled to go ahead with full stadiums. The only exception is in Italy where a limit of 50 per cent capacity on outdoor venues remains in place.

What is the format for the Six Nations?

The Six Nations is contested over five rounds with the number of home and away games each team plays alternating every year. France, Ireland and Wales have the advantage in 2022 as they will play three home games and two away, with England, Scotland and Italy only contesting two matches on their own patch.

The winner of each game will collect four points, while in the event of a draw the teams will claim two points each. In 2017, tournament organisers introduced a bonus-point system that sees teams awarded one additional point for scoring four or more tries in a game. Defeated sides can also collect a bonus point if they lose by a margin of seven points or fewer.

The nation with the most points after five rounds will be crowned the winner. If two teams are level on points at the conclusion then the championship is decided on points difference. In the rare event teams have matching points totals and points differences then the title will come down to tries scored (including penalty tries).

How can I follow the Six Nations in the Racing Post?

There will be an in-depth preview of the 2022 Six Nations released on the eve of the championship with our picks for the tournament, including outright winner, top points scorer and top tryscorer bets.

We will also preview each and every game with a betting tip for each match. Graham Woods was on fire with his tips for round two of this year's Championship, posting four winners, including a 12-1 shot.

Where can I watch the Six Nations?

ROUND ONE

Ireland v Wales
ITV, Saturday February 5, 2.15pm

Scotland v England
BBC, Saturday February 5, 4.45pm

France v Italy
ITV, Sunday February 6, 3pm

ROUND TWO

Wales v Scotland
BBC, Saturday February 12, 2.15pm

France v Ireland
ITV, Saturday February 12, 4.45pm

Italy v England
ITV, Sunday February 13, 3pm

ROUND THREE

Scotland v France
BBC, Saturday February 26, 2.15pm

England v Wales
ITV, Saturday February 26, 4.45pm

Ireland v Italy
ITV, Sunday February 27, 3pm

ROUND FOUR

Wales v France
BBC, Friday March 11, 8pm

Italy v Scotland
ITV, Saturday March 12, 2.15pm

England v Ireland
ITV, Saturday March 12, 4.45pm

ROUND FIVE

Wales v Italy
BBC, Saturday March 19, 2.15pm

Ireland v Scotland
ITV, Saturday March 19, 4.45pm

France v England
ITV, Saturday March 19, 8pm

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