talkSPORT betting tips – Best Six Nations bets and expert advice for Week 3

Feb 18, 2026 - 14:00
talkSPORT betting tips – Best Six Nations bets and expert advice for Week 3

Teams are starting to bunch up in the Six Nations standings after the opening fortnight and now all eyes are on Week 3 before a well-deserved break.

France are the only unbeaten side left in the tournament and they host an improving Italy in Lille on Sunday.

Saturday provides an opportunity for England to bounce back from their Calcutta Cup defeat at the hands of Scotland last weekend when Steve Borthwick’s side host Ireland.

Meanwhile, Gregor Townsend’s Scotland will be determined to back up their dazzling display at Murrayfield when they take on winless Wales in Saturday evening’s encounter.

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Six nations week three betting tips

  • Ireland +13.0 @ 5/6
  • Scotland -19.0 @ 5/6 
  • Italy +29.0 @ 37/40

Ireland to push England all the way

Having won 12 games on the bounce, England’s impressive run was brought to a shuddering halt at Murrayfield last weekend in a 31-20 defeat.

Scotland exposed England’s frailties in defence out wide and Henry Arundell’s red card also played a factor in the defeat for Borthwick’s men.

The Scots have provided the blueprint for how to get after this England side and Ireland will try and adapt their power game accordingly.

Andy Farrell’s side do not seem to be the Ireland of old and an armwrestle against England is unlikely to yield a positive result at Allianz Stadium.

The Irish might struggle to win on Saturday, but a +13 handicap for Ireland looks generous in what is likely to be a tight game at Twickenham.

Scots must be ruthless in Cardiff

Scotland played some outstanding attacking rugby against England and Townsend’s side will look to do the same at the Millennium Stadium against Wales this weekend.

The Scots are going in search of their fourth consecutive win over the Welsh, who themselves go into this game on the back of a 54-12 home defeat at the hands of France in Cardiff.

A day less to recover during this relentless schedule certainly does nothing to help the chances of Steve Tandy’s side this weekend.

Conceding 102 points in their opening two games of the tournament against England and France, it’s hard to see Wales keeping this one close against the Scots.

Scotland have been guilty of allowing Wales back into games in the recent past, but even a strong 70-minute performance from the men in blue should see them overcome the -19 handicap on offer here.

France to keep Grand Slam hopes alive

Pre-tournament favourites for many, France have been living up to the hype with two impressive wins over Ireland and Wales.

Hosting an improving Italy side at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy, France look well placed to go three for three in Lille on Sunday, heading into the break before rounds four and five.

Italy have shown signs of progress again this season, beating Scotland in monsoon conditions in Rome before earning a losing bonus point in Dublin against Ireland last weekend.

Sunday’s game won’t be at the Stade de France and when Italy last played the French in Lille in 2024, the match ended in a 13-13 draw.

France have the quality and strength in depth to win on Sunday, but Italy with a +29 handicap looks to be hard to pass up.

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