Features

State of the Six Nations

Author: John Harris
Date: 08/03/2010
Rugby Union betting

Can anybody stop France in their pursuit of a first Six Nations Grand Slam since 2004? Marc Lievremont's side are sitting pretty at the top of the table after three rounds of competition and they maintained their 100 per cent start with a 26-20 victory over Wales in Cardiff last week.

Scotland and reigning Six Nations champions Ireland have already fallen at the feet of Les Bleus and only Italy and a much-criticised England team stand between themselves and a rare unbeaten championship winning season.

However, after Wales fought back in the second half at the Millennium Stadium and came close to inflicting a first defeat on a previously imperious France, Lievremont is certainly not dreaming of glory just yet.

"With a 20-point lead at the break, struggling like that in the second half was pretty incredible," he declared. "Victory is the only thing we can take from the game but it suits us well enough."

But despite Lievremont's caution, it can't be ignored that a victory in Paris against Italy on March 13 would set France up for a potential title decider against England at Stade de France seven days later.

Les Bleus are now strong favourites in the online betting markets to win this season's Six Nations.

Can anybody stop France from winning the 2010 Six Nations championship? - Latest Rugby Union Betting

France's spirits will no doubt be boosted by the performances of a labouring England side under the leadership of former World Cup-winning captain Martin Johnson.

Last weekend's 20-16 defeat to Ireland at Twickenham was largely a disappointment with the form of fly-half Jonny Wilkinson - and in particular his playmaking ability - back under the microscope.

Stuttering England can still conceivably win a first Six Nations title since their Grand Slam success of 2003, but it is fair to suggest that this is a long shot.

Ireland and Wales will be hoping to edge ahead into second place despite the former losing one of their three games and the latter a surprise two already.

Ireland showed signs of recapturing the form that swept them to a Grand Slam last season when they overcame England last weekend, but the performances of 2008 champions Wales during defeats to England and France have been well below-par.

Meanwhile, Scotland will be desperately hoping for a repeat of last season's victory over England when the two old enemies meet at Murrayfield in the Calcutta Cup on March 13.

Winless Scotland are on course for the wooden spoon after losing to a much-improved Italy 16-12 in Rome last weekend and it has been a difficult start in the coaching hot-seat for former England boss Andy Robinson.

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