Dean Etheridge
Scotland take their unbeaten Six Nations record to Paris this Sunday. Can Gregor Townsend’s team make it three from three when they face a wounded France team in Week 3? It will be difficult. But after outstanding wins over both England and Wales, it’s hard to think of a time Scotland have been in a better place heading into a showdown against the French. Here we assess their chances of victory in our latest Six Nations rugby union picks.
- What; 2023 Six Nations Rugby Championship
- Who; France vs Scotland
- Where; Stade de France, Paris, France
- When; Sunday, February 26th, 2023
- Time; 10 am ET
Yes, with Wales taking on England in Cardiff on Saturday, it was hard to make a call on what is the best match of the championship this weekend. But when we look at the table, it’s obvious. Scotland are second, only behind the Irish on points difference. While France need a win to keep their slim chances of winning back-to-back Six Nations championships alive.
Along with the Irish, Gregor Townsend’s team are the only side left in the Six Nations with a 100% record. But if they get beat by France on Sunday, they could find themselves down in third place in the table, on the same points as France, only ahead of Fabien Galthie’s side on points difference.
But, if Scotland gets an absolute thrashing, and loses by 22 points or more, they could find themselves down in fourth position. This really would be a case of coming down to earth with an almighty bump.
Betting to win the 2023 Six Nations
Our odds table below shows that the top rugby betting sites have now got Ireland as their overwhelming favorites. Andy Farrell’s Ireland team are now -400 to win the championship, with Scotland next at +450.
| 2023 Six Nations Winner Betting ahead of Week 3 |  |  |  |
| Ireland | -400 | -400 | -450 |
| Scotland | +450 | +450 | +425 |
| England | +2000 | +1900 | +2000 |
| France | +2500 | +2500 | +2200 |
| Wales | +100000 | +8000 | +100000 |
| Italy | +100000 | +150000 | +100000 |
Both England (+2000) and France (+2500) are being given outside chances. But that’s all they are really. The rugby betting sites are giving England the better chance, but that’s because if they win their remaining matches with bonus points, they could finish above Ireland, and would definitely finish above France.
But Steve Borthwick’s team would still need someone to take points off the Scots. That is highly likely to happen, as Scotland still has to play both France and Ireland.
As for France, they are relying on Ireland to drop points. And even then, they would also need to win their remaining three matches (including fixtures against Scotland and England) with bonus points, just to have a chance.
If the above were to happen with France, but Ireland won two of their remaining matches with bonus points, and only lost once (with a losing bonus point), the French still couldn’t overtake them. It’s hard to see Ireland dropping anymore than four of their available 15 points from here. Making it almost impossible for France.
2023 Six Nations Grand Slam Winner Betting
In the betting to win the Grand Slam, this market is now a three-horse race. Ireland’s remarkable 32-19 win over France in Week 2 put paid to Fabien Galthie’s team’s chances of back-to-back Grand Slams, and now only three options remain to bet on.
Ireland end France's hopes of back-to-back Grand Slams after a 32-19 win. 🇮🇪
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) February 11, 2023
Ireland are the betting favorites at -150 to complete the Grand Slam. No Grand Slam is second at +160, and Scotland are the third option in this market at +1000. These prices are all available with BetOnline. You can read more about this experienced top rugby betting sportsbook at our BetOnline sportsbook review.
France vs Scotland Betting
In Finn Russell, Scotland have one of the form players in the 2023 championship. The sometimes controversial fly-half plys his trade in France at Racing 92, and is in the prime of his career. Russell is the leading points scorer in this year’s championship, but his game is going to be severely tested when he lines up against France on Sunday.
Finn Russell has been a joy to watch in the 2023 Six Nations so far. 🤩#GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/GfkpMVT93l
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) February 16, 2023
Russell himself should be able to cope, he is a class act. But the key question is, can the rest of his team? Depending on where you bet, the French are the favorites – and a popular rugby pick – to win the 2023 Rugby World Cup (some sportsbooks favor New Zealand). They aren’t favorites for nothing, and on home soil they will expect, not hope, to beat any team in the world.
The top sportsbooks seem to agree, as they make the French the favorites to win this match. On the moneyline, France is -350, and Scotland is +275. While on the handicap line, Scotland is receiving a start of 8.5 points. BetOnline has this priced up as France (-8.5) at -115, and Scotland (+8.5) at -115.
Our Six Nations Betting Picks
As we’ve mentioned above already, France would be expecting to beat anybody at home. We believe that the run will continue, and we also think that the excellent form of Scotland has led to France being priced up more generously at -350. It could have been far shorter, that’s for sure.
We’re not backing France at those odds though. On the handicap spread, 8.5 points may be about right. As we’ve said, Scotland is playing well. But at the same time, France will be hungry to win this game.
France has played away from home twice, beating Italy 29-24, and losing to Ireland 32-19. Galthie’s team will be looking to make amends for those two performances. They were heavily criticized after the win over Italy. And they will be hurt by the loss to Ireland. We think they will bounce back with a convincing win over Scotland this weekend, and we’re making France to beat Scotland on the handicap our betting pick.
