23 January 2019, by: Leonard Solms

SIX NATIONS TIPS: MAKE OR BREAK FOR IRELAND, BE WARY OF WALES

After an impressive 2018, Ireland are unsurprisingly rated as heavy favourites to lift the Six Nations title for the second year running. If they can pull it off, Joe Schmidt’s side will send out a clear message to the rugby world that their dominance last year was no fluke. However, 2016 and 2017 champions England remain a threat, while Wales may also spring a surprise.

With the World Cup in Japan less than eight months away, the Northern Hemisphere nations smell blood. After decades of playing second fiddle to the likes of New Zealand, South Africa and Australia, there are signs of imminent change to rugby’s status quo.

To a certain extent, the balance of power has already shifted. New Zealand remain World Rugby’s top-ranked side despite losing to second-placed Ireland in November. Significantly, however, Wales and England occupy third and fourth positions in the official rankings respectively. This is largely as a result of both having beaten Australia and South Africa in November.

England won the Six Nations in 2003 before famously becoming the first Northern Hemisphere nation to clinch the World Cup later that year. For the first time since, there is genuine cause for optimism that this year’s champion could follow in their footsteps.

Ireland are rated as odds-on favourites at the time of writing, and arguably rightly so, but the downside of this is that betting on them is unlikely to yield any significant reward. They are the safe option at present, but if you’re feeling adventurous, it might be worth betting on third favourites Wales.

Since losing to Ireland in last year’s Six Nations, Warren Gatland’s charges have picked up nine successive test victories. While England were fortunate to see off the Springboks during the end-of-year series, Wales were full value for their wins over both South Africa and the Wallabies.

Justin Tipuric has been the star of the show and earned rave reviews for his performance at the breakdown against Australia in particular.

It remains to be seen whether or not he and his teammates can carry their late 2018 form into the new year, but if they do, they will undoubtedly be a force to be reckoned with.

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