Six Nations 2026 betting tips, outright predictions and odds: In-form England can prove a cut above

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2026 Six Nations dates, kick-off times & TV info 

Date Thursday, February 5 to Saturday, March 14
Starts Thursday 8.10pm (France vs Ireland)
Venues Various (London, Paris, Dublin, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Rome, Lille)
TV BBC, ITV1, S4C, RTE & Virgin Media

The first week of February means the start of the Six Nations and five rounds of full-blooded, high-octane rugby action.

France are the defending champions and odds-on to come out on top again, but England are hot on their heels and will he hoping to set up a Grand Slam decider in Paris in the final round.

Ireland and Scotland are formidable rivals while bookmakers reckon Wales and Italy will be fighting it out to avoid finishing bottom of the pile.

Six Nations betting tips & predictions

No Grand Slam
3pts 13-8 bet365

England-France straight forecast
2pts 7-2 bet365, BoyleSports

Six Nations preview

France emerged victorious in last year’s Six Nations despite having to play their two key title rivals away from home, so given that this time they take on Ireland and England in Paris it’s understandable that they are odds-on to retain their crown.

Les Bleus lost one game – by a single point to England at Twickenham – but they set themselves apart thanks to their sheer attacking force, piling up record tallies of 218 points and 30 tries.

The rest of 2025 didn’t live up to that promise as a depleted touring party were whitewashed 3-0 in a summer Test series in England, while their autumn series opened with a defeat to South Africa before victories over Australia and Fiji.

There are some plus points. Scrum-half Antoine Dupont, widely rated as the best player in the world, is back in the international fold having been injured against Ireland last year, and while fly-half Romain Ntamack is now injured, Mathieu Jalibert of Bordeaux is such a strong replacement and could even retain the shirt once Ntamack is fit again by the final two rounds.

But head coach Fabien Galthie has sprung a couple of surprises, notably dropping dangerous winger Damian Penaud along with Gregory Alldritt and Gael Fickou, and that’s a lot of experience to lose from the team. On top of that, powerhouse prop Uini Atonio has had to suddenly retire on health grounds, and Les Bleus are starting to have an unsettled look.

Reigning champions France enter the 2026 Six Nations without Damian Penaud (centre) and a number of other experienced namesCredit: AFP via Getty Images

Ireland injuries piling up

There’s a similar story in Ireland, France’s opening opponents, who are without a host of injured players including Lions props Tadhg Furlong and Andrew Porter, and those absences up front could cost them against France.

There’s uncertainty in other positions too. The Irish have yet to settle on a first-choice fly-half since Johnny Sexton’s retirement and Sam Prendergast goes out with something to prove having got the nod ahead of Jack Crowley in round one.

Centre Bundee Aki is suspended, winger James Lowe has been overlooked, and one upshot is that Ulster winger Jacob Stockdale makes his first Six Nations start since 2021.

So well as a foothold up front Ireland may lack a cutting edge in attack and that could prove crucial as try bonus points were a decisive factor last year.

While France scored 30 tries in the 2025 tournament and England put up 25, Ireland were way behind with 17, and it’s been a similar story in the European Champions Cup this season. French pace-setters Toulouse and Bordeaux along with English contenders Bath, Northampton and Harlequins all recorded try totals in the mid-20s from their four group games but Leinster, representing the bulk of the Irish side, scored just 16.

With doubts over France and Ireland, the teams who have shared the title over the last four years, in-form England begin to emerge as contenders, although their path is by no means a clear one.

An opening clash against a Wales team who have finished bottom and winless in the last two seasons is followed by a trip to Edinburgh, where they have not won since 2020.

Last year’s Twickenham victory over Scotland was just their second in the last eight meetings and came by a solitary point, while the Scots outscored their rivals by three tries to one but missed all three conversions. 

England beat Ireland the last time they faced them at Twickenham two years ago – thanks to a last-minute drop goal, but that is their only win in six meetings, and a trip to Paris in round five is a daunting one too.

England and captain Maro Itoje can scale the summit again this springCredit: CameraSport via Getty Images

Squad depth key for England

But England are in great form, as a run of 11 consecutive wins including victory over the All Blacks attests, and they could have a vital edge in squad depth which looks set to prove key in a tournament played for the first time over just six weeks, with only one rest weekend.

Compared to their key rivals there is competition not just for the starting berths but also the bench and England’s ability to call on top-class replacements to come on and close out games is unrivalled.

They can be backed at 12-5 to top the table but a better approach may be to take the 13-8 that there is no winner and then support England at bigger odds in the straight-forecast market and take France to finish second.

Scotland fans will be hoping they can be the side to thwart England’s Grand Slam hopes but they may again find themselves in the role of the team who decide the winner without contending themselves.

For all their improvements over recent years, Scotland have still to reach that crucial total of four wins. Three has come to be seen as a success but even that has happened just four times in the last decade, and their feat of beating England at Murrayfield in 2024 only to go on and lose to Italy in the following round was a painful example of the frustrations their fans have endured.

They also look far more vulnerable than the teams above them in the betting due to injuries in key positions and fourth is the 6-4 favourite in the betting on Scotland’s finishing position.

Wales odds-on for Wooden Spoon

The Wooden Spoon will surely be fought out between Wales and Italy again, and although Wales have home advantage when the teams meet in round five, Italy are building under Gonzalo Quesada and have an experienced and settled side.

In contrast Wales are still struggling after losing so many key players in recent years and are further hit by the absence of injured skipper Jac Morgan, who could miss the entire tournament.

It’s 10-11 that Wales finish bottom while Italy are 11-8.

Visit our Six Nations page for top tips throughout the tournament

Six Nations outright winner odds

Here are best odds for the Men's Six Nations:

Odds correct at 12pm on Wednesday, February 4.

Six Nations FAQs

When is the 2026 Six Nations?

The 2026 Six Nations Championship begins on Thursday, February 5 and concludes with Super Saturday on March 14, 2026. 

The opening match sees France host Ireland in Paris, with a full round of fixtures concluding on the final weekend in March.

Where are the matches played?

Matches are held at Allianz Stadium (Twickenham), Stade de France (Paris), Stade Pierre-Mauroy (Lille), Aviva Stadium (Dublin), Murrayfield (Edinburgh), Principality Stadium (Cardiff), and Stadio Olimpico (Rome).

Where can I watch the Six Nations in the UK?

BBC and ITV1 share the broadcasting rights in the UK. ITV1 will show all England and Ireland matches, while the BBC covers the majority of Scotland and Wales fixtures. 

Viewers in Ireland can watch on RTE and Virgin Media.

Who won the 2025 Six Nations?

France pipped England and Ireland to the Six Nations with a 35-16 win over Scotland in the final round of matches.

Who are the favourites for the 2026 title?

France are the 8-11 favourites to defend their crown, with England priced at 5-2 following their impressive winning streak. Ireland remain contenders at 7-1.

Read more on the Six Nations:

Six Nations 2026 specials: Top tryscorer predictions and player of the tournament 

France vs Ireland Six Nations betting tips, predictions and odds: Ireland can put up a fight in Paris 

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