2012 Six Nations Rugby betting preview and predictions

Wednesday, 25 January 2012

After the excitement of the Rugby World Cup, international Rugby Union returns with the 2012 Six Nations as the northern hemisphere’s finest get set to battle it out for the crown. The 2012 tournament gets underway on Saturday 4th February as France welcome Italy to the Stade de France. Find here our betting predictions about winners, grand slam, triple crown and wooden spoon.

FRANCE @ 2.85 Former Toulon sporting director Philippe Saint-Andre has replaced Marc Lievremont as head-coach. Names like Clement Poitrenaud, Vincent Clerc, Maxime Medard, Aurelien Rougerie and Morgan Parra give a clear indication of the powerful resources at hand to new France head coach Philippe Saint-Andre, however, above this sublime talent stands one Frenchman – captain Thierry Dusautoir. France also have the benefit of hosting England and home advantage (three of their first four games at home) will be crucial is what is usually the most decisive match of the fixture list. They are the favourites to win the 2012 Six Nations after they reached the 2011 World Cup final and they will be bidding to repeat their 2010 6 Nations Grand Slam heroics.

WALES @ 3.75 Wales had a good showing in playing style at the World Cup and have fantastic fitness levels but need more than just the win over Ireland. They showed some brilliant defence at the 2011 Rugby World Cup, where they went for all youth and it paid off in dividends for them. Warren Gatland has a host of top class players likes Jamie Roberts, Leigh Halfpenny, Lee Byrne and Mike Phillips but at just 23, Sam Warburton is the most powerful and most impressive player in the Wales rugby team and arguably the best young player in the world. A couple of tough away trips which should really test their credentials in the 2012 Six Nations betting. After an impressive 2011 World Cup campaign, Wales will be hoping to prove their class with victory in the 2012 Six Nations.

ENGLAND @ 5.50 England are amongst the favourites to win the 2012 Six Nations, although betting is tight between them, Wales and France, with Ireland just a touch further back. But Martin Johnson quit his post last November following England’s disastrous Rugby World Cup campaign and the RFU has yet to name a permanent replacement. The tough game away to France will probably be their undoing. However, with openers against Italy and Scotland, which they will be expected to win, there is the potential of some momentum and confidence builders ahead of the big clashes.

IRELAND @ 7.00 Brian O’Driscoll will miss the entire 2012 RBS 6Nations following surgery on a shoulder injury sustained during last year’s Rugby World Cup. Ireland (even without O’Driscoll) have the experience to beat anyone still, although as they age, perhaps five games may just be too much to ask. Kidney responded to O’Driscoll’s absence by naming Munster lock Paul O’Connell as the Ireland captain. They have a good fixture list with three home games, and all of them winnable.
Ireland are behind France, Wales and England in the latest betting as they go through a period of transition in search of a repeat of their 2009 Grand Slam triumph.

SCOTLAND @ 26.00 Scotland have problems and will miss the points Paterson has given them over the years (as tries are scarce). Given his vast experience of test rugby, 33-year-old fly half Dan Parks becomes an integral part of the Scottish set-up. Great couple of home matches for Scotland, starting off against England and then having to face France at Murrayfield as well. Hard to see where points are going to come from, but will make opposition scrap and have to work hard for their points. Scotland are fancied to be battling against Italy to avoid the wooden spoon, although they look to have the potential to upset the odd against some of their more illustrious rivals.

ITALY @ 251.00 Victory over France in last year’s RBS 6 Nations failed to keep Springbok Nick Mallet in his job with the Italian Rugby Federation installing Frenchman Jacques Brunel as the new Italy head-coach on a four-year-deal. There’s no doubt that the Azzurri have showed signs of progression in recent campaigns but the notion of Italy being title contenders is a little far-fetched. Despite being the minnows of the RBS 6 Nations tournament, Italy has a number of world-class rugby players in their ranks, none more so than the Italian captain Sergio Parisse. Not a great fixture list for them though and the wooden spoon will probably come down to their final match, at home against Scotland. Anyway, Italy are the bookmaker's favourites to finish bottom of the Six Nations table once again

2012 SIX NATIONS RUGBY PREDICTIONSWales to win @ 3.75
Grand Slam - no winner @ 1.73
Triple Crown - no winner @ 2.62
Scotland to finish bottom @ 4.00

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