Your Guide to Betting on the Six Nations

Featuring England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, France and Italy, the Six Nations is the Northern Hemisphere’s premier rugby union tournament.

It’s five rounds of intense competition, and things are now very much underway, with France showing their strength in a 36-14 rout against Ireland to start the tournament on 5 February.

If you’re watching, expect jaw-dropping displays of physical and tactical excellence and, if you’re interested in placing a bet on this prestigious event, know that there are a variety of options to do so.

Our guide provides a whistle-stop tour of the competition, so you know what to expect should you want to get involved.

What is the Six Nations?

The Six Nations runs across five weekends, with each team playing every other team once. Matches are played home and away on a rotating basis, meaning teams play two or three home games depending on the year.

The team with the most points at the end wins the championship. Wins earn four match points, draws earn two points and losses earn nothing. Bonus points are awarded for scoring four or more tries (one point) or losing by seven points or fewer (one point).

A Grand Slam occurs when one team wins all five matches. The Triple Crown is awarded to England, Ireland, Scotland or Wales if they beat the other three Home Nations. Italy joined the tournament in 2000, expanding it from the Five Nations Championship.

Popular Six Nations betting markets

Championship winner

Back which team finishes top of the table at the end of the tournament. Odds shift throughout based on results, but pre-tournament favourites typically include Ireland, France and England.

Match winner

Straightforward enough: back which team wins a specific match. Odds vary based on home advantage, form and head-to-head history.

Home advantage matters significantly in Six Nations rugby. Twickenham (England), Murrayfield (Scotland), Principality Stadium (Wales), Aviva Stadium (Ireland) and Stade de France all create intimidating atmospheres.

Handicap betting

One team receives a virtual point advantage. If France are -7.5 against Italy, France must win by 8+ points for the handicap bet to succeed. If you back Italy at +7.5, they can lose by 7 or fewer and your bet wins.

Handicaps create value when backing favourites expected to dominate or underdogs expected to keep matches competitive. Check our full guide for more details on how handicap betting works in rugby.

Grand Slam winner

Predict which team (if any) wins all five matches. This is difficult because it requires perfection across multiple fixtures, often including away matches at hostile venues.

Odds are longer than championship winner bets because achieving a Grand Slam is rare.

Triple Crown winner

England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales compete for the Triple Crown by beating the other three Home Nations. This market offers value when backing teams with favourable Home Nations fixtures.

First team to score

Predict which team scores first in the match, whether through a try, penalty or drop goal. This market settles as soon as either team gets points on the board.

Margin betting

Bet on a set of points. Backing a team to win by 1-10 points covers narrow victories, while margins of 15+ points suggest dominant performances.

What can affect the outcome of a Six Nations clash?

Home advantage

Six Nations crowds are loud, partisan and create hostile environments for away teams.

Venues like Principality Stadium with the roof closed become cauldrons of noise, while Murrayfield generates fierce support. The Aviva Stadium intimidates opponents.

Consider home advantage when assessing odds. An away favourite might not offer as much value if the home underdog has crowd support and favourable conditions.

Form and momentum

Teams arriving at the Six Nations in good form typically perform better than those struggling. Check Autumn International results (previous year’s November matches) for recent form indicators.

Momentum builds through the tournament, and a team winning their opening two matches carries confidence into subsequent fixtures. Conversely, losing early creates pressure.

Injuries and squad depth

Key player absences affect outcomes. Losing a starting scrum-half or tight-head prop changes how teams play.

Injury reports are released the week before matches, so keep track of team news to identify where absences create potential opportunities or weaken favourites.

Weather conditions

Rain, wind and cold temperatures change rugby. Wet balls are harder to handle and can reduce try-scoring, while wind disrupts kicking games and affects lineouts.

Check forecasts before betting. Matches in February in Edinburgh or Dublin often see inclement conditions. Indoor stadiums with roofs, like the Principality Stadium, eliminate these weather variables.

Historical rivalry

England vs. Scotland (Calcutta Cup), England vs. Wales, Ireland vs. England. These rivalries carry extra intensity. Form sometimes goes out the window when pride is at stake.

Underdogs in rivalry matches occasionally produce upsets that wouldn't happen in neutral fixtures.

Six Nations betting tips for beginners

Start with match winners. Outright tournament betting and Grand Slam markets are tempting, but individual match bets are simpler starting points. Focus on one match at a time.

Understand bonus points. Bonus points for four tries or narrow defeats affect final standings. A team can lose a match but still earn a bonus point, which matters for championship outcomes.

Don't underestimate underdogs. Italy beat Scotland in their opening 2026 fixture, proving that form and home advantage can produce upsets. Historical rivalries also create intensity where form becomes less predictable.

Track team announcements. Squads are named mid-week. Significant changes signal rotation or injury concerns. Strong lineups indicate teams are prioritising specific matches.

For a deeper understanding of rugby union betting markets and strategy, our comprehensive guide covers everything from set-piece dominance to breakdown contest importance.

How to approach Six Nations betting

Set a budget for the tournament and spread it evenly rather than betting heavily on one round. The Six Nations runs for five weeks, so there are multiple opportunities to get involved.

Research teams before betting. Check form, injury news and historical records at specific venues.

Don't chase losses. If your Round 1 bets lose, don't double up on Round 2 trying to recover. Stick to your plan and budget.

Use available tools to set spend limits and track bet history. The Six Nations is entertainment; betting should enhance that experience rather than create stress.

Get in on the Six Nations excitement at Bally Bet

The Six Nations delivers six weeks of elite rugby union across five rounds of fixtures. Betting markets range from straightforward match winners to championship outrights and Grand Slam predictions.

Understanding home advantage, tracking form, checking injury news and respecting weather conditions all help inform better betting decisions. Start off with simple markets like match winners, then explore handicaps and totals as you gain confidence.

The tournament provides consistent action across weekends, making it ideal for gradual engagement rather than one-off punts. Now that you're clued up on the basics, check out our Six Nations markets and get involved.

For more useful sports betting guides, head to the Bally Bet Sports & Casino blog. We cover different bet types and tournament previews so you can stay informed throughout the season.

All offers mentioned correct at the time of writing but may be subject to change.