The XV of France returned to Marcoussis, its training center, this Monday, January 26. On the menu: preparation for the clash against Ireland at the Stade de France, Thursday February 5. The first match to try to keep the title acquired during the last edition of the Six Nations Tournament.
For this new edition, the outcome of which will be known on Saturday March 14 at the end of the crunch between the Blues and England, France is the big favorite, if we are to believe the sports betting sites. Winamax, Betclic and Parions Sport all three display odds of 1.65 for the Blues.
This choice comes despite the surprise absences of executives Damian Penaud, Grégory Alldritt and Gaël Fickou in the preparation group. Despite that, also, of the opener Romain Ntamack, injured in a kidney and unavailable at least until February 15.
The French XV is above all the last winner of the Tournament, in 2025. And it aims to retain its title. The match program should also be taken into account: this year, the Blues will only travel twice, against Scotland (Saturday March 7) and against Wales (Sunday February 15).
Monday January 26, during the Tournament launch conference in Edinburgh, France and its status as favorite was at the center of discussions. “If you look at the depth of the French squad, you might think that they are best placed to win the Tournament,” said Caelan Doris, Irish captain. “Yes, the French are favorites,” says the English coach, Steve Borthwick, before mentioning various reasons: the match against his team which will take place at the Stade de France on the last day of the Tournament, the presence of Antoine Dupont or even the good management of Galthié.
Gonzalo Quesada, current coach of the Squadra Azzurra and former coach of the Blues (from 2008 to 2011 as assistant), puts forward other arguments: “When you can do without players like Gaël Fickou, Damian Penaud and Grégory Alldritt because you have even better, that shows the level. With this coaching, the accumulated experience and the fact of playing three matches at home, they are logically the favorites. »
The English just behind, the Irish in ambush
Behind Galthié’s men, we find the English selection, with odds of 3.40, again according to the bookmakers. It could fall further, because Steve Borthwick still hopes for the return of five injured players (Fin Smith, Tom Roebuck, Ollie Lawrence, Ben Curry and Fin Baxter) by February 7, for the first match against Wales.
Full of confidence, the XV de la Rose has 11 victories in a row, including a convincing success over the New Zealand All Blacks in November. They have not lost for a year and the opening of the 2025 Tournament (27-22 defeat in Ireland).
Ireland, precisely, after its double in 2023 and 2024, and still ahead of the Blues in the World Rugby rankings, completes the top trio of favorites, with an odds of 7. Far behind France, therefore. Even if Andy Farrell had to compose his group of 37 without several injured players, and in particular with the massacre at the left pillar position, the coach will still be able to count on certain usual starters.
Watch out for the Scottish outsider
As for the outsiders, Scotland can claim to create a surprise, with its group of 40 players, 6 of whom play in the Top 14 or Pro D2. The unpredictable opener Finn Russell will play his twelfth edition of the Tournament. On specialized sites, the rating is 15 for the XV du Chardon.
The highest odds go to Italy and Wales: 150 on Betclic, and 250 on Winamax and Parions Sport. Italy will have to do without its star winger, Ange Capuozzo, at the start of the Tournament, who has been injured in his finger since the end of December. For Wales, who have only won the wooden spoon in the last two editions, the scenario is worse: the team will have to do without their usual captain, Jac Morgan, who is also injured. These two selections will still have to fight to avoid the cruel last place.
If it maintains the same ranking, Unibet seems more nuanced, with odds of 1.70 for France, 3.25 for England, 6.50 for Ireland, 15 for Scotland and 100 for Italy and Wales.
