The Six Nations in the 2019 Rugby World Cup
The buzz is over, and players have returned from Japan after their World Cup campaigns. A nation who should be proud is England. After a shock win over the New Zealand All Blacks in the semi-finals, the side knew that no matter the outcome, they could leave with their heads held high. Now attentions turn to the Six Nations Championship, set to take place next year.
With many opportunities to analyse each nation’s progress during the Rugby World Cup, a lot of sides will have assessed who their biggest threats are. For those looking to take part in Six Nations betting with Betfair, you might find the latest odds shocking.
Scotland
Being in the same pool as hosts Japan and fellow six-nation side Ireland, Scotland knew they had a difficult task on their hands. Their other opponents in the pool stages, Samoa and Russia, posed less of a threat and resulted in Scotland’s only victories in the competition.
Suffering a heavy defeat to Ireland in their opening game, Scotland would have been proud to prevent Russia and Samoa from getting on the scoreboard. Japan were their final pool game, and although the host nation sent the Scots packing, the squad would have found comfort in being at the hands of one of the most impressive teams in the competition.
Wales
After winning the Six Nations Championship earlier in the year, Wales were expected to reach the latter stages in the competition. They were in Pool D alongside Uruguay, Georgia, Fiji and Australia, so they knew there was a great opportunity to progress.
After topping the table, Wales went on to face France in the quarter-final, in a close encounter, the Welsh won by a single point. Wales advanced to the semi-finals where they lost to eventual winners – South Africa.
Wales can find comfort knowing they lost to the world champions, but after losing the fight for third place against the All Blacks, they’re now at odds of 5/1 to win in the Six Nations next year at the time of writing.
Ireland
As mentioned, Ireland faced fellow home nation Scotland and hosts Japan in Pool A. At first glance, you would have thought the Irish squad would win their pool, but with underdogs Japan in impeccable form, this was not the case.
Ireland were fortunate enough to play Scotland in their first Pool game. A match that if they had lost, would have cost them their place in the competition. Although the luck of the Irish appeared to have vacated their camp when their quarter-final line up was against the All Blacks, leading to a hefty 46-14 defeat.
France
After struggling in the Six Nations earlier in the year, France were given a break when they arrived in Japan. In Pool C alongside Argentina, Tonga, England and the USA – France won all their games. They were set to face England, but due to the havoc of typhoon Hagibis, the match was cancelled, and both sides awarded a draw. Facing England would have been the first test of their abilities.
The French came up against Wales in the quarter-finals, a team who not only won the Six Nations Championship earlier in the year but who also came top of Pool D. They were sent home from the competition after losing by a single point. They now face an uphill struggle for the Six Nations next year with current odds of 10/1.
Italy
This year’s Six Nations Championship left Italy at the bottom of the table, and let’s face it, being in Pool B at the Rugby World Cup meant their chances of success were next to nothing. Against Canada and Namibia, the Italians looked strong, but in their game against South Africa – they had no chance of success.
The Italians should be thankful that typhoon Hagibis played a part in preventing their game against the All Blacks going ahead. Both sides were awarded a draw, but the fans know how it would have ended if the sides had the chance to play.
Italy were the second six-nation side to not advance past the pool stages at the World Cup, although they were never expected to. As a result of their hammering from South Africa 49-3, they now sit bottom of the table for the Six Nations 2020 with odds of 500/1 at the time of writing.
England
Many English fans were disappointed after their Six Nations run earlier this year. Such high hopes were brought down by the Welsh side’s incredible undefeated campaign. England went into the World Cup expecting to advance from Pool C but what no fan expected, was for them to make it to the final.
At the previous World Cup in 2015, England were hosts but couldn’t advance from their pool. Since then it has been a rough road, fans weren’t expecting much from the side, but Eddie Jones’ men managed to pull off one of the most shocking results of the tournament – defeating the All Blacks in the semi-finals, 19-7.
In the final, many fans were left confused. Where did the great defensive team go? With multiple handling errors and scrum penalties, the side seemed to crumble under the pressure of a World Cup Final against the Springboks.
Their saving grace is that the side are now favourites to win the next Six Nations Championship, despite their final performance.
