Warren Gatland will have to overcome long odds if he is to pick up where he left off and win the 2023 Six Nations following his return to Wales.
Gatland lifted a Grand Slam in the final Six Nations campaign of his first 12-year stint in charge of the national team in 2019. But the side he now takes over are completely unfancied with the bookies as things stand following a disappointing 2022 under Wayne Pivac.
Wales finished fifth this year, beating only Scotland and losing at home to Italy - a result that put Pivac on the edge heading into an autumn campaign that came off the rails with defeat to Georgia.
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Gatland's return has sparked a far more positive outlook given his history of delivering Six Nations success, but Wales are still as long as 18/1 to win the tournament with some bookmakers. The shortest odds available are 14/1. The odds on Gatland winning a fourth Grand Slam with Wales are 33/1.
That puts their expected finishing position at fourth, ahead of Scotland and Italy but a long way behind the rest.
England, under new coach Steve Borthwick, are third favourites at 4/1. France are only second favourites (6/4) despite being defending Grand Slam champions, with world number one-ranked Ireland the narrow favourites at 5/4. Scotland are 20/1 and Italy are priced at 500/1.
Gatland's first game back is at home to the Irish on February 4 before a trip to Scotland on February 11. They then face England in Cardiff on February 25 before trips to Italy and France in March.
Six Nations odds an expected finishing positions (based on average odds at time of writing)
1. Ireland (5/4)
2. France (6/4)
3. England (4/1)
4. Wales (16/1)
5. Scotland (20/1)
6. Italy (500/1)
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