What to look forward to in the final week of the Six Nations?
by Steve Ashfield | by Véronique MASUAKU
Intriguing Final Weekend in the 2024 Six Nations
Saturday March 16 sees the final set of games being played in the 2024 Six Nations Championship. It's been a fascinating tournament over the past month or so. It looks very much as if Ireland will successfully defend their title but we've already had plenty of surprise results this year. Could more be on the way this weekend? Don't forget to read all our Six Nations Betting Tips for all the games being played this weekend
Ireland on their Way to the TItle but No Grand Slam
Ireland can actually afford to lose at home to Scotland this weekend and still be crowned Six Nations champions. They go into the final set of fixtures top of the table with a four point lead over second placed England and five ahead of both Scotland and France. However, their points difference is currently at least +76 higher than any other of the chasing teams. With that being the case it's as good as another point in the bag.
The Irish were hoping that this weekend would see them not just retain the Six Nations title but also complete a second straight Grand Slam. That's not the case though after losing 23-22 to England at Twickenham on Saturday. No Grand Slam now, not even a Triple Crown.
At least Ireland claimed a bonus point in that weekend defeat. Earning another this weekend will see them clinch the title barring a miraculous scoreline in the France v England match. Ireland will want to end their Six Nations in style with a home win over Scotland. That would make it the ninth consecutive home victory over Scotland, who haven't beaten them since 2017. Ireland are 1.3 with William Hill to win and lead at both half and full time.
Scotland would have been in with a chance of winning the title if they'd either won in Italy or that disallowed try had stood against France. They will want to make a good response against Ireland but it's a tough task for them. They are 6.00 at bet365 to win this match. All the prices can be seen on our Six Nations betting odds. A win here would see them win the Triple Crown after already beating Wales and England.
France Aim to End on a High
lt's been a strange and at times very unpredictable 2024 Six Nations for France. With three of their five games being at home. many fancied them to be contention to win the title. Yet here they are ready to host England on Saturday March 16 and they are still waiting for their first home win in this year's championship.
They got off to the worst possible start with a 38-17 home loss to Ireland. That virtually ended their hopes of winning the title. France fought back to win 20-16 in Scotland but would have lost if a Scottish try hadn't been wrongly disallowed in the dying moments.
More surprises were to follow when they could only draw 13-13 at home with Italy, a game they very nearly lost. Several changes were made for the away game against Wales and it worked. They beat the struggling Welsh side 45-24 but are still only fourth in the table.
They have won their last three home games against England and beat them 53-10 at Twickenham in last year's Six Nations. A win on Saturday could see them finish as high as second in the final table. It's 1.33 at Unibet they can beat England on Saturday.
England caused a shock when beating Ireland at Twickenham last Saturday. They are third in the table having won three of their four games so far. The away loss to Scotland has proved to be very costly indeed. Not since 2016 have they won in Paris but after last weekend's performance this looks like being an open match. They are 3.2 to beat France if your wager is placed with bet365 You can check out all the Six Nations Betting Odds on our site.
Battle to Avoid the Wooden Spoon
Could Wales 'win' the wooden spoon for the first time since 2003. They go into this final weekend bottom of the Six Nations table with only three points. That puts them four points behind visitors Italy who won at home to Scotland last weekend.
Wales have lost all four of their matches in this year's Six Nations. They nearly pulled off a great comeback against Scotland and led against England at Twickenham but all to no avail. It's 1.33 at William Hill they can end the Six Nations with a home win.
Italy have gone two games without a defeat and could even finish in the top three if winning in Cardiff and securing a bonus point. For awhile critics have said they shouldn't be in the Six Nations after a string of defeats. Those critics can be quiet now after Italy narrowly lost to England, drew in France and beat Scotland at home. Bet365 offer odds of 3.4 on them getting a second win of the campaign.
Keep up to date with all the latest scores this weekend at the Six Nations Livescore.
