Six Nations Round 1 Betting Preview

The Six Nations returns this week for its 27^th edition, with round 1 set to kick off on Thursday. Here at Spreadex we have all the action covered, with betting odds on a range of both fixed odds and spread betting markets across the event. Read below for our preview of the tournament’s first round, including key information, stats and betting odds.

France v Ireland

Thursday 5 February, 20:10 GMT Kick-off - Stade de France

The Six Nations will begin on a Thursday for the first time in tournament history, as France take on Ireland in Paris. The unusual start date is in place so that the match does not clash with the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics, which is on Friday.

Hosts France come into this tournament with huge expectations, as reigning champions and betting favourites. Les Bleus currently sit at 8/11 to reclaim their Six Nations Crown and at 6/4 to do so with a Grand Slam. Fabien Galthié’s side has a fearsome pack, which even after Grégory Alldritt’s shock omission from the squad and Uini Antonio’s unfortunate retirement should be a dominant force throughout the tournament. Throw in the usual French flair in the backline, with the likes of Antoine Dupont, Thomas Ramos and Louis Bielle-Biarrey, and you’ve got all the makings of a back-to-back winning team.

Andy Farrell’s Ireland will also be hoping to challenge for the Six Nations crown this year, after coming third in 2025. Ireland only lost once in last season’s edition to eventual winners France, but this is a rugby nation which has come to expect great things from its team. Experienced stars like Dan Sheehan, Tadgh Beirne and Caelan Doris will return to a strong pack, and young fly-half Sam Prendergast is likely to continue pulling the strings in the backs. It’s unquestionably a strong side, but many Irish fans fear their “Golden Generation” is coming to an end. Can they return to the top this year?

France won this fixture last year despite losing captain Antoine Dupont to injury in the first half. They are favourites heading into this year’s match, at 2/11 to win, whilst visitors Ireland can be backed at 4/1. If you’re interested in spread betting, we have France favoured by 12-15 points in our points supremacy market.

You can check out all our betting markets, both fixed odds and spread betting, for France v Ireland here.

How to watch: Live on ITV 1

Italy v Scotland

Saturday 7 February, 14:10 GMT Kick-off - Stadio Olimpico

Saturday afternoon will have two cracking games to round out the opening round, including Scotland’s trip to Italy. These two sides have both come fourth and fifth respectively in the last two editions of the tournament and will be hoping to jump up to the top half of the table this time around.  

Gonzalo Quesada’s Italy side have established themselves as serious Six Nations competition after struggling for the majority of the 21^st century having joined the tournament in 2000. With some incredibly exciting talent in the backline like fullback Ange Capuozzo and centre Tommaso Menoncello, Italy can score from anywhere on the pitch. They only managed one win last year, beating Wales in Rome, but will be hoping to improve in 2026.  Italy are underdogs in their first game but will be optimistic. You can back them to win in round one at 14/5.

Scotland will also be hoping for a good tournament, with their talented side somewhat underperforming in recent editions. Head coach Gregor Townsend will be hoping that superstar fly-half Finn Russell can find his best form this weekend, and unleash the talent outside him, including flying wingers Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe. Fans will be expecting this side to challenge for a first ever Six Nations crown this year, and you can back them to win the tournament at 11/1 if you expect them to do so.

Scotland won this fixture last year and are favoured again on Saturday, with our points supremacy market preferring them by 9-12 points. You can also back them in our 0-50-100 index which makes up at 100 points for a win, 50 for a draw and 0 for a loss at 73.3-80.

You can see our fixed odds and spread betting prices for Italy v Scotland here.

How to watch: Live on BBC One

England v Wales

Saturday 7 February, 16:40 GMT Kick-off - Allianz Stadium Twickenham

The weekend will conclude with one of the rugby world’s oldest rivalries as England take on Wales. England came second in last year’s edition, and have won their last eleven games, whilst Wales’ historically bad form leaves them as favourites for this year’s Wooden Spoon.

Last year’s fixture saw an emphatic victory for England, with Steve Borthwick’s side ending their 2025 tournament with a 68-15 win. This game featured a try for then debutant Henry Pollock. The young back rower has since become one of rugby’s more divisive figures, with his antics earning him support and opposition in equal measure. England will be hoping to win this year’s tournament, and can be backed at 5/2 to be crowned champions. Steve Borthwick has a strong and deep squad, with established stars like Maro Itoje and George Ford being bolstered by young talents like Guy Pepper and Henry Pollock.

Wales on the other hand will head into the tournament with one aim; don’t come last. It’s a target they’ve failed to meet in the last two tournaments, with the men in red receiving the Wooden Spoon in both 2024 and 2025. However, a new era is currently being ushered in for Welsh rugby, with head coach Steve Tandy ready to take charge of his first Six Nations campaign. The former flanker will be turning some new and returning faces to star in his side, with former NFL try-out Louis Rees-Zammit back in contention, along with dynamic runners like Blair Murray and Tom Rodgers.

Hosts England are the favourites in this one, with Steve Borthwick’s men unbeaten since the first game of last year’s Six Nations. They are currently heavily favoured by 29-32 points in our points supremacy market, with a total tries spread of 5.8-6.2. Wales are underdogs at 28/1 to win the match.

You can see our fixed odds and spread betting prices for England v Wales here.

How to watch: Live on ITV 1

Interested in betting on this year’s Six Nations?

You can find all our betting markets on the Spreadex website or app. We also have a handy rugby spread betting guide with example markets, buy and sell scenarios and interactive widgets to help get you up to speed with spread betting on rugby. You can also check out our Six Nations preview article for an overview of the tournament.

Please note that this preview is not designed to offer any betting advice or suggestions. All prices quoted correct as of 2pm 2 February. Price Boosts and other markets will be added closer to kick-off time.