Rugby 6 Nations Preview & Odds – Time for Les Blues to shine! Updated for December 2024

Updated: 8th December 2024

The 2021 Six Nations Championship will be contested between the 6th of February and the 20th of March. It will be the 22nd Six Nations Championship and the regular nations of England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales will participate in the tournament.

Read our Rugby 6 Nations preview below to see how we rate each Nation's chances of success. Be sure to check back every week for the latest on our 6 Nations betting tips and game previews only at Bet1015.com.

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Rugby 6 Nations betting Odds - Winner only market.

Team	Odds
England	1/1
France	5/2
Ireland	7/2
Wales	14/1
Italy	750/1
Scotland	22/1

Rugby 6 Nations Tournament winner odds are subject to change and were correct as of 02/02/2021. Bet HereBet Here

All odds taken from the leading UK online betting sites

Rugby 6 Nations Preview 2021

England come into the event as the defending champions having defeated Italy in their final match of the 2020 Six Nations, to win by points difference over second place France, who finished on the same number of points as the English.

There is a much shorter turn around between the 2020 Six Nations Championship and the 2021 competition. Due to ongoing concerns the 2021 Six Nations Championship will be played behind closed doors but sports fans will be glad the event is taking place, with live television coverage available.

England became the first team since Wales in 2013 to win the Six Nations having lost their opening game of the tournament in 2020. They will be hoping for a stronger start in 2021 as the defending champions open their campaign with a match at home against Scotland.

England won the Autumn Nations Cup in December and coupled with their 2020 Six Nations success; it is easy to see why they are the favourites at Evens to come out on top again this year.

However, the recent national situation has already caused some issues in the England training camp with head coach Eddie Jones missing the start of the camp along with two other coaches because he was unwell. England have also kept their squad to a minimum, naming 28 players.

England's Chances

England’s performances in the Autumn Nations Cup were good and they defeated three of their major Six Nations rivals in France, Ireland, and Wales. Their opening run of fixtures plays into their hands nicely, with the opportunity to build up momentum at home against Scotland and Italy before facing a trip to play Wales.

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France Chances

France enjoyed a good 2020 Six Nations Championship and come into this year’s competition as the second favourite, at 5/2.

The opening match in Italy gives the French an opportunity to put a big score on the board and build up some momentum ahead of the trip to Ireland. France then face Scotland at home before travelling to Twickenham to meet England in a game that could decide the outcome of the 2021 Six Nations Championship.

The withdrawal of Thomas Ramos and Grégory Alldritt from the squad will come as a bit of a blow but France are a well drilled team under the guidance of Fabien Galthié.

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Ireland's Chances

Ireland will be hoping to make a significant improvement on their performances last year and they begin with a tough looking trip to play Wales in Cardiff. Ireland defeated Scotland to finish third in the Autumn Nations Cup and it was a much needed display following disappointing efforts against England and Georgia.

Having made a good start to the 2020 Six Nations, the defeats to England and France meant the Irish were forced to settle for third place.

It was somewhat of a transitional year for Ireland following the appointment of Andy Farrell as Head Coach. It is a tough task to follow in the footsteps of the successful Joe Schmidt era but Ireland will surely be aiming to finish top of the pack again in 2021, having had plenty of time to adjust to Farrell’s coaching and tactical methods.

Ireland are aiming to win their first title in three years and the opening fixture against Wales could prove crucial to their success. Ireland will play both England and France at home but without any fans inside the stadium, it remains to be seen if this will be much of an advantage this year.

Ireland are available at 7/2 to win the 2021 Six Nations.

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Wales Chances

2020 was a hugely disappointing year for the Welsh in the Six Nations as they lost four of their five games to finish in 5th place. Wayne Pivac has led Wales to only three wins from 10 competitive matches and there is plenty of room for improvement. Warren Gatland helped Wales to become one of the strongest rugby playing nations in the world and Pivac has his work cut out to replicate the fine job of his fellow countryman.

Wales are on offer at 14/1 to win the 2021 Six Nations Championship and that tells you a bit about where they are right now.

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Scotland's Chances

Scotland finished one place above Wales in 4th last year and they appear as a team who are capable of giving anyone a run for their money.

The wins over France and Wales were especially good in 2020 and Gregor Townsend’s team will be hoping to push on and improve on their best Six Nations points total since 2017, when the bonus points system was introduced to the tournament.

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Italy's Chances

Finally, we come to the Italians and as usual their aim will be to avoid finishing bottom of the table.

Italy have become synonymous with the Wooden Spoon and unfortunately that is unlikely to change in 2021. Italy have been whitewashed in each of the last five years and simply winning one match appears to be out of their reach.

The odds of 750/1 for Italy to win the Six Nations Championship tells you everything you need to know.

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