Six Nations 2010

By Crafty Stan

Starts Saturday 6th February 2010

It is time again for the biggest yearly event on the Rugby Union calendar and I for one and very excited about this years event which promises to be wide open. Last year Ireland completed the Grand Slam (winning every match in the competition) and will no doubt have similar aspirations this time around but I will be turning my attentions elsewhere in the outright market. I see three main contenders and our English readers will not be pleased!

Sat 6th Feb 10	14:30	Ireland	v	Italy	Croke Park
Sat 6th Feb 10	17:00	England	v	Wales	Twickenham
Sun 7th Feb 10	15:00	Scotland	v	France	Murrayfield
Sat 13th Feb 10	14:00	Wales	v	Scotland	Millennium Stadium
Sat 13th Feb 10	16:30	France	v	Ireland	Stade de France
Sun 14th Feb 10	14:30	Italy	v	England	Stadio Flaminio
Fri 26th Feb 10	20:00	Wales	v	France	Millennium Stadium
Sat 27th Feb 10	13:30	Italy	v	Scotland	Stadio Flaminio
Sat 27th Feb 10	16:00	England	v	Ireland	Twickenham
Sat 13th Mar 10	14:30	Ireland	v	Wales	Croke Park
Sat 13th Mar 10	17:00	Scotland	v	England	Murrayfield
Sun 14th Mar 10	14:30	France	v	Italy	Stade de France
Sat 20th Mar 10	14:30	Wales	v	Italy	Millennium Stadium
Sat 20th Mar 10	17:00	Ireland	v	Scotland	Croke Park
Sat 20th Mar 10	19:45	France	v	England	Stade de France

As is often the case the French are massively overrated in the market. Whilst on paper yet again they appear to have the best tools for the job as they have some fierce forwards and talented backs but ill discipline and an inability to produce consistently on the road may well prove to be their downfall yet again. We will probably know whether they are to be the real deal or not when we see what sort of performance they throw up on opening weekend against a determined Scotland side hungry to improve.

Ireland will no doubt be a force again this year and I will not be writing them off, however at best odds of 3.5 I am struggling to get interesting in backing them. I make them about a 4.33 shot at best so there is no value to be had despite their clear strength in depth.

Wales are the team that interest me a considerable amount in the outright market. At odds of 7.2 I am surprised at how little support they have in the market. The real key games for them will probably be away to England at Twickenham on opening weekend and at home to France. I can see them getting the result they need on opening day as they have won three of the last four Six Nations encounters between the sides and England are still struggling badly to find consistency under Martin Johnson's leadership. If they can get the result they need at Twickenham, the tournament could really open up for the Welsh. If you ever watch the Ospreys you will see a stylish enterprising brand of rugby and Wales will be offering much of the same. I make them no more than a 4.0 shot so they are a great bet in my opinion.

There are lots of excellent markets offered up this year and I would like you all to cash in. The following bets catch my eye: Over 581.5 Total Points in the tournament and Over 51.5 Tries in the tournament. I will explain in a little more detail.

This year the weather should be pretty good on the whole which should make for good rugby and therefore should mean we may well avoid some of the dour attritional rugby that bad weather can often produce. Under 581 Points has only been a winning bet on just one occasion since the inception of the Six Nations and without any other additional reason to believe we will have a low scorer, I think Overs at 1.8 is a storming bet. Under 51.5 Tries has only been a winning bet once also and for the very same reasons I believe the 1.83 on overs is a cracker.

Hopefully we will enjoy a great and profitable tournament.

RECOMMENDATIONS -

2 Points Wales @ 7.2 (Betfair)

4 Points Over 51.5 Tries @ 1.8 (Bluesq)

4 Points Over 581.5 total points @ 1.83 (Bluesq)

Crafty Stan