Six Nations betting: Predictions, odds and tips for 2026 Championship as England face Ireland in Round 3

The second weekend of the Six Nations Championship established the dominance of France, and the defending champions are on course to complete the Grand Slam.

It was not just that the French dusted off the Welsh in Cardiff because the title bid of Les Bleus was also helped by the disintegration of England’s ambitions in Edinburgh.

Scotland were resurgent on home soil, yet again rising to the occasion against their oldest rivals. With it, they probably saved the job of the head coach Gregor Townsend. 

It is now essential that the Scots don’t take a backward step this week in Wales.

England, meanwhile, takes on Ireland at Twickenham. Both teams will be desperate to avoid a defeat that will confine their championship campaign to the dustbin.  

Let’s take a closer look at three intriguing games in this middle weekend. 

Quick Six Nations Round 3 betting tips

• Ireland to win on the handicap (+11 pts) – evens with BoyleSports
• Wales to win on the handicap (+19 pts) – 5/6 at Betfred
• Italy to win on the handicap (+29 pts ) – 10/11 with Paddy Power

Six Nations tournament odds

• France 1/7
• England 8/1
• Scotland 20/1
• Ireland 66/1
• Italy 150/1
• Wales 750/1

Here are the tournament odds from Midnite

The promise of England’s autumn campaign, backed up by a solid start to the championship against Wales, fizzled away last week in Edinburgh, and the pressure is now on.

Defeat would leave Steve Borthwick’s plans not quite in tatters, but not far off. Meanwhile, the Irish have problems of their own. The injuries continue to mount up. The pack is struggling to set a strong base while the backs are offering reduced threat. 

England vs Ireland odds

The promise of England’s autumn campaign, backed up by a solid start to the championship against Wales, fizzled away last week in Edinburgh, and the pressure is now on.

Defeat would leave Steve Borthwick’s plans not quite in tatters, but not far off. Meanwhile, the Irish have problems of their own.

The injuries continue to mount up. The pack is struggling to set a strong base while the backs are offering reduced threat. 

England vs Ireland odds

• England: 1/5
• Draw: 25/1
• Ireland: 18/5

Here are the latest match odds for England vs Ireland from Betfred.

Ireland to win on the handicap (+11) at evens with Ladbrokes

The Irish have won five of the last six matches between these two teams, although England has won four of the last five at Twickenham.

The last two games have been very tight: Ireland won by five points last year, England by just one in 2024.

The Irish are not as dominant as in recent years, but they will still hang tough. England should win but there’s every chance it will be tight.

Wales vs Scotland

The Scotland squad will be justifiably upbeat after dumping the English yet again in last week’s Calcutta Cup, but in the immediate aftermath of that result fly-half Finn Russell agreed that motivation for that game had been simple whereas it will be tougher this week.

The stats back that up. In 2021, 2022 and 2023 they beat England and in the next game played Wales, losing twice. They also defeated England in 2024 and were beaten by Italy in their next match. 

Wales vs Scotland odds

• Wales: 8/1
• Draw: 33/1
• Scotland: 1/14

Here are the latest match odds for Wales vs Scotland from Sky Bet

Wales to win on the handicap (+19) at 5/6 with Betfred

The last 10 matches between these two sides have been split five apiece, but Scotland have triumphed in the last three and are hot favourites because of the continuing woes of Wales who didn’t concede a yellow card against France but can’t stop conceding tries.

So, for all of Scotland’s flakiness, it is hard to see them losing, but get this: this bet would have won in 33 of the last 34 matches between the two teams. Yes, 33 of 34. 

France vs Italy

Since Italy surprised the French in 2013 at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, France has dominated this fixture with 15 victories against one draw.

But that outlier came in France two years ago and, like this week’s game, it happened away from Stade de France. This Sunday’s game is in Lille and will be tough for the Italians.

They put up a scrap in Dublin against the Irish, but playing this French team should be a much tougher proposition.

France vs Italy

• France: 1/100
• Draw: 50/1
• Italy: 14/1

Here are the latest match odds for France v Italy from Midnite.

Italy to win on the handicap (+29) at 10/11 with Paddy Power

We’re going to take on recent history with the medium-term variety and back the Italians to keep a hold of the scoreline.

France won 73-24 last year and 60-7 in the 2023 World Cup, but in between was that draw, and this bet would have won in 15 of the last 20 matches between the two teams.

The French are very good, but the Italians have been disciplined and proud this campaign.

Best bookies to bet on the Six Nations Championship

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About the author

Matt Cooper

Matt Cooper has been a golf journalist for 15 years. He’s worked for, among others, Golf365, SkySports, ESPN, NBC, Sporting Life, Open.com and the Guardian. He specialises in feature writing, reporting and tournament analysis. He’s covered numerous Opens, Ryder Cups and Solheim Cups, and travelled to golfing destinations as varied as Kazakhstan, South Korea, Seychelles, Sri Lanka and Nepal.

Find Matt on Twitter @MattCooperGolf

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