The Six Nations 2024 is rounded off by ‘Super Saturday’, with all three fixtures taking place on the same day. Wales host Italy in the opener at 14:15, before Ireland go for the Championship against Scotland at 16:45. The tournament is then rounded off with a great grudge match as France host England at 20:00.
Wales Look Vulnerable
Wales are four from four and not in a good way. They now need to beat Italy and deny them a bonus point to avoid the Wooden Spoon. The Azzurri are still in that conversation, but will be buoyed by an encouraging campaign, featuring an agonising draw against France and a win over Scotland last time out.
Italy won their last trip to the Principality in 2022 22-21 courtesy of a last-gasp converted try, their only Six Nations win under Kieran Crowley. However, they already appear more rounded under new boss Gonzalo Quesada.
They will face a Welsh side featuring centurion George North, who is one of five changes from the France defeat and will be desperate to end on a winning note after announcing he will retire from internationals after Saturday’s game. North’s tussle with his opposite number in the outside centre channel, Juan Ignacio Brex, will be one of several significant duels, but against a Welsh side in transition, Italy’s 3.05 for victory looks too good to ignore.
Ireland Backlash In Dublin
Ireland’s defeat to England sent shockwaves through the Championship. In short, the Red Rose played like the All Blacks did in beating Andy Farrell’s men in the World Cup quarter-finals, but Scotland may lack the physicality to follow that up, especially among their replacements.
Farrell will demand a winning end to the tournament, which, alongside a draw or two losing bonus points, would see his team defend their title. The way they bounced back from their defeat to New Zealand by crushing France is ominous and does not bode well for the Scots, who are smarting after a lacklustre loss in Italy.
Gregor Townsend’s men are still in the mix for a Triple Crown, but they are more likely to end the tournament with three losses. Ireland raced out of the blocks to establish a 36-0 lead before the Scots summoned some spirit to go down 36-14 at the World Cup.
On St Patrick’s weekend, and without the added pressure of chasing the Grand Slam, Ireland -17.5 appeals at 2.00, which is reflected by their being only 1.65 to win by 15+ points. Home wing James Lowe is also one to watch. The 31-year-old touched down twice at Twickenham, scored the first try in this pair’s World Cup meeting and also went over in Ireland’s 22-7 victory at Murrayfield in 2023.
England To Kick On
England produced their best performance since the semi-finals of the 2019 World Cup to beat Ireland, but it is vital that they follow that display with an equally good one against France. Les Bleus produced an improved, yet still disjointed, showing against Wales and are the 1.32 favourites and are unbeaten on home soil against the 2.90 Red Rose since 2016.
That fixture saw England claim the Grand Slam, but while they are still in the running for the title, they are still some way from a side capable of doing a clean sheet. A victory in Lyon would add to the hype surrounding Steve Borthwick’s side, but they will be without Immanuel Feyi-Waboso due to concussion and it will be intriguing to see who the boss selects, with the experienced Elliot Daly the favourite.
France’s short odds open up the handicap options and with England looking good ahead of the game, their +4.5 handicap at 2.05 has to appeal. Les Bleus, who could also win the title, truly clicked in the second half in Cardiff, so it may also be worth considering England/France at 5.20 in the Half Time/Full time market.
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18+ | BeGambleAware.org
By Simon Barlow
