What can we Expect in the 2024 Six Nations?
by Steve Ashfield | by Steve Ashfield
A Closer Battle This Year?
From February 2 to March 16, it's the 2024 Six Nations Championship. This takes place just four months after the conclusion of the 2023 Rugby World Cup that was won by South Africa. They're not in this tournament of course and European teams England, France, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Scotland and Italy will be battling it out to become Six Nations champions.
2023 saw the title won by Ireland who won all five of their matches and took the Grand Slam. They didn't have such a good World Cup whereas England made the semi-finals. Ireland won the 2023 Six Nations title by seven points but it looks like being a closer battle this time around.
France Looking to Regain Title
Only once since their triumph in 2010 have France won the Six Nations. That was in 2022 when they also won the Grand Slam. 2023 didn't go so well with an early loss to Irelad sealing their fate. France won their other matches and were hoping to then win a first Rugby World Cup seeing they were the host nation.
However, that was not to be as they were beaten in the quarter finals by the eventual winners South Africa. Just one point was the margin of defeat as they suffered that heartbreaking loss. Now they have to pick themselves up, brush themselves off and try to regain the Six Nations title.
France have an immediate chance for revenge on Ireland. They host them in their first match on Friday February 2. Three of their matches this year are being played at home, the others being against Italy and England. If they can show good home form then another Six Nations title could be possible and they are the 2.1 favorites at Unibet to do so. Check out all the Six Nations betting odds on our site.
Crucial Six Nations for Ireland
Ireland are the defending Six Nations champions but not since England in 2017 has a country retained the title. They were also top of the world rankings but are now down to second behind world champions South Africa. Their poor Rugby World Cup record continued last year with a quarter final loss to New Zealand.
They start 2024 with two main aims. Firstly to retain the Six Nations title and to regain their position as the top ranked team in the world. It's a tough start for them as they travel to France. Losing that match may well see the writing on the wall and battling it out for second place rather than being champions. They are 2.6 at Betfair to win the Six Nations this year. Remember to read our Six Nations betting tips throughout the tournament.
England Look to Build on World Cup Performance
England only finished fourth in the Six Nations last year losing three of their five matches. That included a stunning 53-10 home loss to France. Few expected them to do well in the Rugby World Cup but surprised everyone with a run to the semi-finals where they lost to South Africa. Can they now repeat their good form in the 2024 Six Nations.
They come into this tournament with several injury problems and may be glad their opening match is away in Italy. The Italians didn't get out of their pool in the World Cup and again look destined to finish bottom of the Six Nations table. They are 501.0 at WIlliam Hill to win the title. England have three of their five matches away from Twickenham and are 6.5 at William Hill to win the Six Nations. Their injury problems will make it difficult to win the title but perhaps they'll surprise us just as they did in the World Cup. You can keep up to date with all the latest results on our Six Nations livescore.
Scotland and Wales are Outsiders
Scotland and Wales are not easy to beat but are unlikely to be in contention to win the 2024 Six Nations. The Scottish side finished third last season with three wins out of five. They didn't get to the knockout stages of the 2023 Rugby World Cup and have a difficult start to the Six Nations with a trip to Wales and then hosting France. With three away games to be played, they face a tough few weeks and are 13.0 with bet365 to win the title.
Wales only had Italy below them last season and lost four of their five fixtures in the Six Nations. The Welsh side only scored 84 points in five games, even less than the Italians. They reached the World Cup quarter finals but lost to Argentina. With trips to both England and Ireland, it's understandable why Vbet offer odds of 26.0 for them to become champions.
We look set for an exciting Six Nations championship. With France facing Ireland first and England in their final fixture, it looks likely to go down to the final weekend before the winners are determined.
