The 2023 Six Nations gets underway on Saturday, 4th February and will end on Saturday, 18th March. Of course, there’s plenty of opportunity to bet on the Six Nations with five rounds of matches.
The Six Nations is the premier northern hemisphere rugby union competition. It sees six teams, England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales, all battling it out. France are the defending champions, having been crowned the 2022 winner and sealing the Grand Slam. They managed to defeat all five other nations on their way to winning the championship.
With the Rugby World Cup also taking place in 2023, the Six Nations is sure to be as competitive as ever. The teams will be looking to put down a marker against their rivals. Read on as we take an in-depth look at the 2023 tournament, including what markets you can bet on the Six Nations, the best bookmakers for Six Nations betting, and popular bets.
2023 Six Nations Upcoming Fixtures
Round 1
4th February – Wales v Ireland
4th February – England v Scotland
5th February – Italy v France
Round 2
11th February – Ireland v France
11th February – Scotland v Wales
12th February – England v Italy
Round 3
25th February – Italy v Ireland
25th February – Wales v England
26th February – France v Scotland
Round 4
11th March – Italy v Wales
11th March – England v France
12th March – Scotland v Ireland
Round 5
18th March – Scotland v Italy
18th March – France v Wales
18th March – Ireland v England
Favourites to Win the 2023 Six Nations Championship
France and Ireland are vying for favouritism at the bookmakers for the 2023 Six Nations, with little to split the teams in the betting. France are the reigning Six Nations champions, while Ireland have enjoyed a strong 2022, winning a three-match test in New Zealand over the All Blacks before defeating South Africa, Fiji, and Australia in November.
Top Bookmakers for Six Nations Betting
We highlight four bookmakers you should check out if you’re looking to bet on the Six Nations 2023.
Betway
Betway is one of the leading bookmakers for betting on Rugby Union. This is thanks in no small part to the Free Bet Club. Opting into this promotion lets you win two $10 free bets every week that you place bets of $50+ (T&Cs apply).
If you’re new to Betway, there is a fantastic new customer offer for you to enjoy before placing a bet on the Six Nations. There are competitive Six Nations odds at Betway with a great range of betting options, plus cash-out is available across the tournament.
If you’re looking to place an in-play bet on the Six Nations, Betway have you covered with live betting available on every match. Finally, the Betway app gives you complete control of your Six Nations betting via your mobile device; it’s available on iOS and Android.
William Hill
For those who are fans of placing a bet on the Six Nations well before the tournament starts, then William Hill are definitely worth checking out. They already have a vast range of betting markets and odds on the Six Nations, allowing you to grab some early betting value well before the championship gets underway.
But if you’re a live betting fan, William Hill also provides excellent in-play betting on every Six Nations fixture throughout the competition, all accessible through their highly-rated mobile site and betting app.
There’s also an interesting bonus for punters looking to place an Acca bet on the Six Nations with the Acca Freedom promotion at William Hill. If you place a three-leg Acca, you can boost the odds, perfect for using on a weekend of fixtures at the Six Nations or the Rugby World Cup later in the year.
Finally, if you’re new to William Hill, there’s a welcome bonus offer to entice you to join one of the oldest and most prestigious names in gambling.
Pinnacle
Pinnacle pioneered online sports betting, and they have grown into one of the most popular sportsbooks globally. Known for offering some of the most competitive odds on the market, Pinnacle should be on your go-to list when looking to bet on the Six Nations.
Above all, Pinnacle offer a fantastic range of betting markets, with handicap betting odds particularly strong with various spreads available, all on their mobile site. Pinnacle doesn’t offer any welcome bonuses or ongoing promotions. However, this is alleviated by their ultra-competitive odds and high wager limits on most bets.
An excellent Live Centre section offers live betting on the Six Nations, plus in-play stats and analysis. The Betting Resource centre is another great feature for rugby union fans, with in-depth previews of all the teams. It also offers betting tips on the top matches.
Six Nations Bet Types
Placing a bet on the Six Nations is extremely popular, with a vast range of betting markets available on every game, plus on outright betting. Popular Six Nations bets include:
- Outright Winner – Here, you are placing a bet on which nation will win the 2023 Six Nations.
- Match Winner – This is simply placing a bet on the outcome of a specific match – the home nation, away nation, or a draw.
- Handicap – Handicap betting sees each point given or taken away from each nation and is popular when there is a firm favourite in the match-winner market. An example could be Italy receiving 25 points from England, meaning England would need to win by 26 points or more to cover the handicap.
- Winning Margin – Bets on the winning margin see you placing a wager on the winning nation and points margin. An example could be Ireland beating Scotland by 10-15 points.
Six Nations Live Betting
Many punters enjoy a pre-match bet on the Six Nations. However, others like to wait until the action is underway before diving into the live betting action. Live betting is available on every Six Nations match. This lets you get a feel for the game before placing a wager.
Six Nations Trophies
The Six Nations is unique in that within the tournament, several trophies are up for grabs.
Here is a list of the main ones to look out for:
- Six Nations Championship Trophy – This is the trophy that the outright winner of the tournament receives, France are the reigning holders.
- The Triple Crown – The Triple Crown is awarded to one of the home nation teams (England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales) if they all successfully beat their three rivals over the course of the tournament. Ireland are the current holders, having won the Triple Crown last year.
- The Calcutta Cup – This trophy is contested between England and Scotland and is the oldest international rugby union trophy. Scotland are the current holders, having edged out England 20-17 at Murrayfield in 2022.
Although no trophy is awarded, the Grand Slam is highly-regarded. It occurs when one nation beats the five other teams during the Six Nations. England are the side with the most Grand Slams, with 13.
History of the Six Nations
In its current form, the Six Nations has existed since 2000 when Italy joined the then Five Nations. The Five Nations was created in 1910 when France joined the Home Nations Championship, which started in 1883.
Similar Tournaments to the Six Nations
The direct equivalent of the Six Nations in the Southern Hemisphere is the Rugby Championship. It sees Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa battle it out.
FAQ
The 2023 Six Nations occurs in February and March. England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales all participate in a series of home and away fixtures.
France are the current Six Nations champion, having won the tournament in 2022.
The Six Nations is an annual competition, taking place traditionally in February and March.
England are the most successful team in the Six Nations, winning the tournament in its various guises on 29 occasions.
Yes, you can bet on the Six Nations. All leading bookmakers will offer pre-event and live betting on every fixture, plus outright betting markets.
