We head into Round 4 of this year’s Six Nations with three intriguing fixtures on the card. France have made a perfect start to the tournament and look increasingly difficult to stop, while Ireland, Scotland and England are desperately trying to keep the pressure on. Italy have beaten all 3 handicaps but have just won against Scotland, while Wales are still searching for their first win of the campaign.
As always, we look at the three matches from a betting perspective and highlight a few suggested plays.
Outright Betting Update
France are firmly in control of the title race and are trading at around 1.04 to win the Championship. Scotland are currently second favourites at 18.00, with Ireland priced at 20.00 to lift the trophy.
There are plenty of other long term markets to get involved in, including top points and top try scorer.
Click here for outright betting on Six Nations Championship
FRIDAY
Ireland v Wales – Click here to bet
Ireland are in good spirits heading into this fixture. They bounced back brilliantly from their Round 1 defeat to France, beating Italy 20–13 before producing their performance of the tournament two weeks ago, running in six tries to beat England 42–21 in London.
Wales, on the other hand, are enduring one of the most difficult periods in their recent history. They have lost all three of their Six Nations matches so far, going down 48–7 to England, 54–12 to France, and 26–23 to Scotland in Round 3. They came very close to beating Scotland and will hope that they have turned the corner.
Head-to-head
Ireland have dominated this fixture in recent years, winning four of the last five meetings. Their most recent clash saw Ireland win 27–18 in Cardiff last year, and they won 31–7 in Dublin the year before that. Wales’s only win in the last five came in 2021 when they edged Ireland 21–16 at home.
Betting and Verdict
The bookies have Ireland as overwhelming favourites, trading at 1.02 for the win. Wales are priced at 19.00, while the draw is at 71.00.
Handicap: Ireland [−27.5]
Wales are in dreadful form at the moment, and Ireland should be firing on all cylinders at home. With Wales leaking points heavily and Ireland capable of putting teams under sustained pressure, this looks like a match where the hosts could run up a big score. Although the handicap is sizeable, Wales have been beaten by far greater margins in recent months, and Ireland look more than capable of covering it.
Suggested bet: Handicap, Ireland [−27.5] at 1.91
Bomb Squad Insurance
Applies only to bets placed before kick-off.
Qualifying Markets:
- Anytime Try Scorer.
- First Try Scorer.
- Last Try Scorer.
Single/ Straight bets only.
Pre Match Only.
Free Bets do not count towards this offer.
Refund must be claimed within 24 hours of the game finishing.
Refund limited to 1 refund per customer per event.
Free Bet vouchers received must be used within 7 days.
Max refund per account per day in Free Bets:
Free Bets terms and conditions apply.
Simply email promotions@wsb.co.za with Subject ‘Bomb Squad’ within 24 hours of the game finishing.
SATURDAY
Scotland v France – Click here to bet
After an opening round defeat to Italy, Scotland produced back-to-back impressive wins, first beating England 31–20 to claim the Calcutta Cup and then overcoming Wales 26–23 on the road. They will be buoyed by the backing of their home crowd at Murrayfield but have a massive task ahead of them.
France, arrive in Edinburgh with a 100% record. They have been ruthless in this tournament, beating Ireland 36–14, dismantling Wales 54–12, and then comfortably dispatching Italy 33–8.
Head-to-head
France have had the better of this fixture in recent years, winning four of the last five meetings. Their most recent Six Nations clash saw France win 35–16 in Edinburgh last year. The only Scotland win in that run came in a friendly international in 2023 when they edged it 25–21.
Betting and Verdict
France are heavy favourites, trading at 1.25 for the win. Scotland are priced at 4.75, while the draw is at 29.00.
Handicap: Scotland [+10.5]
France are clearly the stronger side and arrive in exceptional form, but Murrayfield is never an easy venue for visiting teams and Scotland themselves are playing with real confidence. France have not beaten Scotland by more than 19 points in their last five Six Nations meetings, which highlights how competitive this fixture has been in recent years. France should still have enough quality to secure the win, but covering a 10.5-point handicap against an in-form Scotland side on home soil looks a far tougher task.
Suggested bet: Handicap, Scotland [+10.5] at 1.91
Italy v England – Click here to bet
Italy have shown real improvement in this year’s tournament and come into this weekend having beaten Scotland 18–15 in Round 1. Their subsequent defeats to Ireland and France were not disgraces, losing 20–13 and 33–8, respectively. At home in Rome, Italy have become a very different proposition to years gone by and can never be taken lightly.
England have had a difficult tournament. After an impressive 48–7 demolition of Wales in Round 1, they have since lost back-to-back matches, going down 31–20 to Scotland and then suffering a heavy 42–21 defeat to Ireland at Twickenham. Steve Borthwick’s side will be desperate to respond and he has made a number of changes to the starting XV.
Head-to-head
England have dominated this fixture historically, winning all of the last five Six Nations meetings. Last year they won 47–24 at home, while the 2024 clash was a much tighter affair, with England edging it 27–24.
Betting and verdict
England are favourites, trading at 1.40 for the win. Italy are priced at 3.40, while the draw is at 26.00.
Handicap: Italy [+7.5]
England will be desperate to respond after back-to-back defeats, and an away fixture against Italy offers a good opportunity to get their campaign back on track. However, England have shown signs of inconsistency, while Italy have improved significantly and are far more competitive than in previous seasons. That combination suggests England should get the job done, but perhaps not in convincing fashion and I am taking a bet that Engen win by 1-7 points inclusive.
Suggested bet: Winning England by 1-7 points at 4.00
Prices correct at time of posting but subject to change.
