Dean Etheridge
The 2022 Six Nations gets underway on February 5th, 2022, and here we preview the competition and give you our picks for who we think will win.
For just over two months, the elite of northern hemisphere rugby union will slug it out for the Six Nations crown.
The defending champions are Wales, but they are nowhere near being the betting favorites as they don’t look anything like the side that lifted the crown in March 2021.
- Tournament – 2022 Six Nations
- Where – Ireland, Scotland, England, Wales, France, Italy
- When – Saturday, February 5th – Saturday, March 19th
Six Nations win would be ideal for French World Cup plans
The accolade of being the favorite to win the competition goes to France, they are just +150 to win with the best online sportsbooks.
| Winner of 2022 Six Nations Betting |  |  |
| France | +150 | +150 |
| England | +275 | +250 |
| Ireland | +450 | +425 |
| Wales | +800 | +900 |
| Scotland | +1200 | +1200 |
| Italy | +5100 | +10000 |
Les Bleus have not won the six nations since 2012, and 12 years is a long time for what is a proud rugby nation.
The French are also hosting the 2023 Rugby World Cup. So winning a Six Nations title would be classed as a major part of the team’s progression towards winning the William Webb Ellis trophy.
There is also a belief in France that this is their time. Will, that added pressure be a help or a hindrance to Fabien Galthie’s team though?
A long-term strategy to win the world cup on home soil in 2023 will be in place. And a Six Nations crown – and becoming the premier side in the northern hemisphere – en route will be part of those plans.
Here are the players who will be representing @FranceRugby at the Championship. 👇#GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/6XGnSmAjGr
— Guinness Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) January 18, 2022
On paper at least, France’s major rivals are England and Ireland. They are second and third respectively in the betting.
Defending champions Wales aren’t expected to be in the running though, as Wayne Pivac’s side has been crippled by injuries.
Inspirational captain, Alun Wyn Jones is set to miss the whole competition unless he can perform another of his miraculous recoveries.
And along with Wyn Jones, the Welsh are missing a whole host of star names.
Elsewhere Scotland is fifth in the betting and looks to me to be going slightly under the radar. On their day, Gregor Townsend’s side can beat anybody.
As for Italy, they are as good as certain to pick up the wooden spoon for the seventh year in succession.
So now, let’s take a look at the teams – and their fixtures – and make our picks for this year’s winners!
France: The Favorites
Fabien Galthie’s side continues to grow towards next year’s world cup.
They would probably have planned to already have a Six Nations title under their belts by now. But so far, the title has eluded them.
- Italy (H)
- Ireland (H)
- Scotland (A)
- Wales (A)
- England (H)
The French have the added bonus of playing three matches at home this year. They also have a home match against England in the final round of matches.
If they can get to the final weekend of the competition needing to beat England to win the Six Nations, I think they will do it.
Winning the competition this year is paramount to their longer-term plans, and I make France my betting pick to win the 2022 Six Nations.
England – A team still in transition
Eddie Jones’ England side is usually one of the sides in with a shout of winning the Six Nations, and I don’t see this season being any different.
- Scotland (A)
- Italy (A)
- Wales (H)
- Ireland (H)
- France (A)
Although they’re leaving it late, England still looks like a team in transition, more geared towards peaking at next year’s world cup.
I feel England will be competitive, but I don’t see them having enough to win the title this year.
Ireland – Another solid campaign
Going against the Irish this year is the away fixtures in England and France.
The Irish have shown they can win at Twickenham recently, but – despite two recent wins – they have historically struggled in Paris.
- Wales (H)
- France (A)
- Italy (H)
- England (A)
- Scotland (H)
I can see the Irish having a solid, if not spectacular competition, with a midtable finish.
Wales – Injuries set to cripple Welsh
As we’ve already alluded to, I don’t see Wales defending their crown this year.
- Ireland (A)
- Scotland (H)
- England (A)
- France (H)
- Italy (H)
Wales does have three home matches to help their cause, but I can’t see them picking up anything away to England and Ireland.
Scotland – the dark horses
Can Scotland come of age and prove its worth this year?
They have the beating of everybody, it’s just a question of stringing a run of results together.
- England (H)
- Wales (A)
- France (H)
- Italy (A)
- Ireland (A)
If they can beat England and France in their home matches, then I really think they can cause an upset this year.
At rugby betting odds of +1200 to win outright, Scotland has to be worth a saver bet and is my second Six Nations pick.
Italy – yet another wooded spoon
The northern hemisphere sides have all improved in recent years and sadly for Italy, that has meant they have fallen further behind.
- France (A)
- England (H)
- Ireland (A)
- Scotland (H)
- Wales (A)
I really can’t see anything other than another wooden spoon for the Italians. I will be surprised if they win one match!
Keep an eye on our Rugby Betting Picks page for more expert predictions throughout the Six Nations and beyond.
