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The 2026 Six Nations is just weeks away, and it promises to be another enthralling chapter in one of rugby’s most prestigious tournaments. Proceedings get underway under the lights at the Stade de France on 5 February, as France host Ireland in a mouth-watering opening clash.
Last year’s championship went down to the wire, with Les Bleus denying England on the final day to lift the trophy, and there is every chance this season delivers similar drama. While the betting odds are likely to shift dramatically once the first round of fixtures is complete, here’s how the pre-tournament betting currently stacks up.
France – 8/13
Installed as odds-on favourites, France are chasing a successful title defence for the first time since their back-to-back triumphs in 2006 and 2007. Fabien Galthié’s side fell just short of a Grand Slam last year after a narrow 26–25 defeat to England at Twickenham, but they still had enough in reserve to top the table.
The fixture list is kind to Les Bleus once again. With three home matches, including visits from both Ireland and England, France will be expected to capitalise on home advantage. Now in his seventh year in charge, Galthié has built a settled, battle-hardened squad packed with world-class talent, and with the likes of Antoine Dupont and Damian Penaud leading the way, France look the team everyone has to beat.
England – 13/5
It may come as a surprise to some that England are entering their sixth Six Nations campaign since last lifting the trophy in 2020. That success was a record-extending seventh title since the tournament expanded to six teams, but Les Bleus are now closing in, aiming for an eighth championship of their own.
Steve Borthwick’s side will take encouragement from their fixture list, particularly the visit of Ireland to Twickenham in round three, which could prove pivotal in the title race. Much may hinge on the final weekend once again, when England travel to Paris in what could be a championship decider if both sides are still in contention.
Ireland – 11/2
It is rare to see Ireland priced as far out as 11/2 on sports tips sites for a Six Nations title, but the odds reflect the scale of the task facing Andy Farrell’s men in 2026. The boys in green have just two home fixtures this year — against Italy and Wales — leaving them with daunting away trips to Scotland, England and France.
Given that schedule, Ireland will need to be close to perfect to emerge on top. While they remain one of the most consistent sides in the competition, navigating three of the toughest venues in the tournament makes their path to the title a challenging one.
Outsiders and long shots
Scotland are next best in the betting at 14/1, once again seen as capable of upsetting the established order but lacking the depth to mount a sustained title challenge. Wales are priced at 45/1, with Italy further back at 125/1.
For Wales in particular, the immediate focus may be on avoiding a third successive Wooden Spoon, while Italy will be hoping to build on recent progress and spring the odd surprise along the way.
With heavyweight clashes scheduled throughout the championship and little to separate the leading contenders, the 2026 Six Nations looks set to deliver another gripping battle from start to finish.
