Six Nations Team Guide

The Six Nations is contested by the six most powerful rugby-playing nations in Europe. Four of the teams hail from the United Kingdom and Ireland, and are also known as the Home Nations, comprising England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland.

However, the two expansions to the Six Nations have resulted in the absorption of the strongest teams in continental Europe, with France joining the tournament in the early part of the 20th century and Italy earning the right to play European rugby at the highest level in the 1990s.

For more information on the proud rugby playing nations which compete in the Six Nations tournament, click on any of the team profile links below:

England: One of the true giants of Northern Hemisphere rugby, possessing a powerful all-round game and the largest player reserve in Europe. England’s biggest strength is its gargantuan pack, primed for international rugby by the rigours of the Guinness Premiership.

France: Skill meets passion and flair when unpredictable France takes to the field. Unbeatable on their day, it’s the French who coined the term champagne rugby. France excels at fast back-line orientated play.

Italy: The new kids on the block have come a long way since joining the Six Nations in the 1990s. The Italians now boast a strong pack, as well as top quality loose forwards, and should prove to become a real threat as a new generation of attacking back-line players emerges.

Ireland: The Irish specialise in upsetting the odds in the Six Nations. Famed for their classy centres and powerful pack, the Irish fight until the final whistle. In 2009 Ireland claimed its second grand slam championship title, highlighting the ascendancy of Celtic rugby.

Scotland: Scotland has struggled to adapt to the professional era, but should not be regarded as pushovers in the Six Nations. Capable of upsetting the best on their day, the Scots are at their best when playing in fortress Murrayfield. A new generation of players is coming up through the ranks, promising to give the Scots the penetration on attack they have lacked for the best part of a decade.

Wales: Wales has enjoyed a Six Nations renaissance in recent years by capturing two Grand Slams, and has done so by returning to its roots of exciting and unpredictable back-line play. With their seat at rugby’s top table reclaimed, nothing quite compares to watching the Welsh team in full flow at a packed Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

Click red odds to strike a bet
Six Nations - Six Nations Winner -
France	7/4	13/8	6/4	13/8	7/4	11/8	13/8	13/8	13/8
Wales	5/2	13/5	5/2	5/2	5/2	5/2	11/4	11/4	11/4
England	5/2	10/3	7/2	5/2	5/2	5/2	11/4	3	5/2
Ireland	11/2	6	11/2	11/2	11/2	6	11/2	11/2	11/2
Scotland	20	20	25	22	20	20	25	20	25
Italy	150	125	200	150	150	200	150	150	150