Rugby Union - RBS Six Nations Tightest Contest In Years Set To Start by Anthony Lucas

Posted: 30th January 2010

Compare odds on the Six Nations here

The 2010 RBS Six Nations is set to be the closest contest in years. Amongst the six teams, four of them have excellent chances of outright victory whilst a fifth, Scotland, may just upset a few of the so-called bigger nations.

The last three Six Nations tournaments have been split between France, Wales and Ireland, who are the current holders, with the latter two taking Grand Slam honours. Any team will be pushed to win every match as all six showed an improvement in their game over the Autumn Internationals and will look forward to the fresh challenges of the spring.

France are the bookies favourites largely due to favourable home ties against England and Ireland but also because of their fantastic win against South Africa back in November. However, I still think 6/4 is too short considering their tag as under-achievers in recent times.

Ireland will be going for a record of back-to-back Grand Slams but could face difficult away games at Twickenham and in Paris. For me, they are still the team to beat despite their ageing side but they didn't show too many signs of magic in the Autumn Internationals and so I'll give them a swerve this year.

Instead I will go for Wales to win the whole thing despite a daunting opening game against England at Twickenham.

Granted, England's defence has improved, conceding just three tries in their November matches, but they're attack is still a concern and I think Wales have enough firepower to overcome a side who are still finding their feet under Martin Johnson.

With the return to form of Ryan Jones, a forceful, yet skilful front three and a back line that can cut open any team on their day, I think 5/1 with Sporting Bet represents value in a tight market.

If Shane Williams can dance around defenders in years gone by he looks a good bet for the Top Tryscorer market at 16/1 but he will have competition from fellow winger Leigh Halfpenny and full back Lee Byrne.

Looking deeper into this same market I think Riki Flutey represents a great shot of taking the honours at 50/1 with Ladbrokes. He was tied at the top with Brian O'Driscoll last year and there's no reason to see why he can't play as well this time around, despite his recent return from injury.

He has four tries from nine England starts and another four over the next five games would certainly provide a healthy return for such big odds.

RECOMMENDATIONS
5pts - WALES @ 5/1 (Sporting Bet)
1pt EW - RIKI FLUTEY, TOP TRYSCORER @ 50/1 (Ladbrokes)

Post To Twitter    Share on Facebook

Post your comments on this article in this forum thread.