England now just 4/7 for Six Nations – Ireland out to 11/2
Published:
The opening day of the 2017 Six Nations championship proved to be a thrilling and dramatic affair. But ultimately it put favourites England in an even stronger position.
Eddie Jones’ men were pre-tournament favourite at 5/6, but those odds had already been given a boost before the Red Rose took to the field.
That’s because Ireland – tipped by many as England’s largest threat – went down 27-22 to tournament dark horses Scotland at Murrayfield.
It was a huge blow to the Emerald Isle, and Joe Schmidt’s men have now tumbled from 12/5 to 11/2.
That result, coupled with England’s hard-fought victory over France, moved the reigning champions into 4/7.
But it’s excellent news for the Tartan Army, whose victory gives plenty of weight to those who fancy Vern Cotter’s side to make a real statement this year.
The Scots haven’t won this event since 1999 – when it was still the Five Nations – but they’re now 9/1, from 16/1 pre-tournament.
It was an impressive display from the Scots, for whom Stuart Hogg stood out with a pair of tries.
Hogg is 3/1 favourite to be the championship’s top-tryscorer, ahead of Wales’ George North and England’s Johnny May at 5/1 and 12/1 respectively.
Leigh Halfpenny got the job done for the Welsh in Rome on Sunday, but the 33-7 scoreline over Italy flattered the visitors.
It was a scrappy first 60 minutes for the Dragons, who are alongside Ireland at 11/2.
The odds have continued to fall for England though, who are now 7/4 from 11/5 to claim a second straight Grand Slam, and they’re just 13/8 for the Triple Crown.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
