The Six Nations, one of the most historic and famous competitions in the whole of sport, is back this weekend.
England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, France and Italy will all go head-to-head for the crown over the next five matchweeks and there are sure to be as many thrills and spills as ever when these six titans collide on the pitch. Here’s everything you need to know about the 2022 Six Nations.
When: 5th February-19th March
How To Watch: BBC are showing all Scotland and Wales home fixtures, while ITV will broadcast each England, France, Ireland and Italy home games.
England:
Let’s face it, 2021 was an utter disaster for the Red Rose at the Six Nations as they equalled their worst ever championship finish. This year, head coach Eddie Jones has been struck with a number of injury blows to key players including captain Owen Farrell and potentially his replacement Courtney Lawes.
As a result, many of the younger players like Marcus Smith, Freddie Steward and Raffi Quirke, who impressed for England during the Autumn Nations Series against Australia and South Africa, could play a big role over the next month or so. England don’t hold the ‘favourites’ tag this year, but that could be a blessing in disguise.
Betfred Odds: England are 10/3 to win the 2022 Six Nations
Ireland:
Third-placed last time out, Ireland enter this year’s installment of the Six Nations as strong contenders once again. Andy Farrell’s side head into the tournament with a near-enough full-strength squad - with the exception of James Lowe and Jacob Stockdale - and wins over Japan, New Zealand and Argentina in the autumn mean the boys in green will be full of confidence.
Betfred Odds: Ireland are 5/2 to win the 2022 Six Nations
Wales:
Wales were simply sublime last year as they stormed to a Triple Crown. Things might not be as easy this year though, with Wayne Pivac’s side decimated by injury problems. The biggest of these omissions is their captain and the world’s most-capped rugby player, Alun Wyn-Jones, with fly-half Dan Biggar set to take the armband in his place. This is Wales though, and even though they might be the fifth-favourites to win the competition this season, they can never be ruled out.
Betfred Odds: Wales are 12/1 to win the 2022 Six Nations
Scotland:
Since winning the final edition of the Five Nations in 1999, it’s fair to say that Scoland have struggled. Only Italy have won more wooden spoons than Scotland since 2000, but this year they enter the Six Nations with one of their strongest squads in years.
Last year’s leading try scorer Duhan van der Merwe returns to Gregor Townsend’s squad, and alongside fly-half Finn Russell, the Scots could have one of the most impressive attacks in the tournament. Fullback Stuart Hogg, the nation’s new all-time leading try scorer, will captain a second straight Six Nations.
Betfred Odds: Scotland 9/1 are to win the 2022 Six Nations
France:
Back-to-back runners-up in this competition, to England in 2020 and Wales in 2021, France would love nothing more than to clinch this trophy ahead of hosting next year’s Rugby World Cup.
Les Bleus come in as the Six Nations favourites this year and 2020’s Player of the Tournament, Antoine Dupont is expected to take the captain’s armband with Charles Ollivon, captain for the last two, out injured. The 2021 World Rugby Player of the Year winner captained all three of France’s end-of-year internationals, including the excellent 40-25 win over New Zealand, which was their first win over the All Blacks since 2009.
Betfred Odds: France are 11/8 to win the 2022 Six Nations
Italy:
Perennial wooden spoon winners Italy are unlikely to challenge once again, but the appointment of former All Black and World Cup winner Kieran Crowley as head coach is certainly a cause for optimism.
Betfred Odds: Italy are 500/1 to win the 2022 Six Nations
Fixtures:
Round 1
Saturday 5th February
Ireland v Wales (2:15pm) ITV / S4C
Scotland v England (4:45pm) BBC One
Sunday 6th February
France v Italy (3pm) ITV
Round 2
Saturday 12th February
Wales v Scotland (2:15pm) BBC One / S4C
France v Ireland (4:45pm) ITV
Sunday 13th February
Italy v England (3pm) ITV
Round 3
Saturday 26th February
Scotland v France (2:15pm) BBC One
England v Wales (4:45pm) ITV / S4C
Sunday 27th February
Ireland v Italy (3pm) ITV
Round 4
Saturday 11th March
Wales v France (8pm) BBC One
Sunday 12th March
Italy v Scotland (2:15pm) ITV
England v Ireland (4:45pm) ITV
Round 5
Saturday 19th March
Wales v Italy (2:15pm) BBC One / S4C
Ireland v Scotland (4:45pm) ITV
France v England (8pm) ITV
*18+ | BeGambleAware | Odds Subject To Change
