Everything Australian punters need to know about rugby's biggest Northern Hemisphere tournament, from match betting to Grand Slam outrights.
The Six Nations is the oldest rugby tournament on the planet and one of the best betting events on the calendar.
Six European nations battle it out across five rounds from February to March, with France, Ireland and England typically fighting for the title while Italy and Wales scrap to avoid the wooden spoon.
The 2025 edition set new records for points (829) and tries (108), and the 2026 tournament shapes up as another cracker.
This guide covers everything you need to have a punt on the Six Nations, from the basic betting markets to tournament outrights and historical trends worth knowing.
What Is the Six Nations?
The Six Nations Championship is an annual rugby union competition featuring England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales.
Each team plays the other five once, either at home or away, across five match rounds. That adds up to 15 games over roughly six weeks.
The team with the most competition points at the end wins the Championship. Teams earn four points for a win and two for a draw. Bonus points come into play too: one for scoring four or more tries, and one for losing by seven points or fewer. Win all five matches and you get an extra three bonus points for the Grand Slam, which guarantees you finish on top regardless of what anyone else does.
Home advantage alternates each year. If France has three home games this tournament, they'll have two next year.
That matters for betting because teams playing more home matches historically perform better, particularly France at Stade de France and Ireland at the Aviva Stadium.
2026 Six Nations Schedule
The 2026 Six Nations runs from Thursday 5 February to Saturday 14 March. For the first time ever, the tournament kicks off on a Thursday night with defending champions France hosting Ireland at Stade de France.
The finale on Super Saturday features France versus England in Paris, a fixture that could well decide the Championship.
Australian punters should note that most matches kick off in the early hours AEDT. A 4:45pm GMT Saturday kick-off translates to around 3:45am Sunday morning in Sydney and Melbourne.
Stan Sport holds the exclusive Australian broadcast rights, so you'll need a subscription to watch live or catch replays.
Key 2026 fixtures:
- Round 1 (5-7 Feb): France v Ireland (Thursday night opener), England v Wales, Italy v Scotland
- Round 2 (14-15 Feb): Scotland v England (Calcutta Cup), Ireland v Italy, Wales v France
- Round 3 (21-22 Feb): England v Ireland, Wales v Scotland, France v Italy
- Round 4 (6-7 Mar): Ireland v Wales, Scotland v France, Italy v England
- Round 5/Super Saturday (14 Mar): Ireland v Scotland, Wales v Italy, France v England
Six Nations Betting Markets Explained
Bookies offer dozens of markets for each Six Nations match. Here's a breakdown of the main ones.
Match Winner
The simplest market going. Pick the home team, away team or draw. Draws are rare in rugby, typically priced around $21.00 or longer, but they do happen. In lopsided contests like France versus Italy, you might only see a handicap market offered.
Handicap Betting
Handicap betting levels the playing field by giving one team a virtual head start or deficit. If Ireland are -12.5 against Scotland, they need to win by 13 or more for your bet to land. If you back Scotland +12.5, they can lose by up to 12 points and you still collect.
Handicaps in the Six Nations typically range from 3.5 points in tight matches to 20+ points when Italy or Wales face the big three. The key is forming your own view on the margin before checking the bookies' line. If you reckon France will beat Wales by 25 but the line is -18.5, there's value in France.
Total Points (Over/Under)
Bet on whether the combined score will go over or under a set line. Six Nations totals usually sit between 40.5 and 50.5 depending on the matchup. Games involving Italy tend to see higher lines because they ship tries, while Ireland versus France might be tighter defensively.
The 2025 tournament averaged over 55 points per game across 15 matches, well above historical norms. Weather matters here too. A wet day at Murrayfield or a howling gale in Cardiff can turn a shootout into a grind.
Try Scorer Markets
First try scorer, anytime try scorer and last try scorer are all popular punts. Wingers and outside centres get the shortest odds because they finish off most chances, but don't overlook hookers from driving mauls or poaching flankers.
France wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey scored eight tries in the 2025 Six Nations, a new tournament record. He'll be short odds throughout 2026. For value, look at the team's set-piece options. If a side mauls well, their hooker or number eight might offer better returns than backing the obvious winger.
Winning Margin
Pick the exact band a team will win by: 1-12 points, 13-24 points, 25+ points, and so on. Some bookies also offer exact winning margin markets in increments of five. These pay bigger odds but are harder to nail. If you're confident France will blow out Wales but want better value than the handicap, winning margin can work.
Tournament Outrights
Beyond individual matches, the Six Nations offers several outright markets that stay open for the duration of the tournament.
Championship Winner
Back the team you think will top the table after five rounds. France, Ireland and England typically dominate this market. France won in 2025 and enter 2026 as defending champions. Prices fluctuate heavily after each round, so getting in early on a team you fancy can lock in better value.
Grand Slam Winner
A Grand Slam requires winning all five matches. Only 42 Grand Slams have been achieved in the tournament's history dating back to 1908. England leads with 13, followed by Wales (12) and France (10). Ireland managed it in 2023 but fell short in both 2024 and 2025.
Grand Slam betting offers longer odds than Championship winner because it only takes one slip-up to end your bet. The "No Grand Slam" market is also available if you think no team will go unbeaten.
Triple Crown
The Triple Crown is only available to the four Home Nations: England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. To claim it, one of those teams must beat the other three. France and Italy aren't eligible. Ireland has traditionally been strong in this market, though England claimed it in recent years.
Wooden Spoon
The figurative award nobody wants, given to the team finishing last. Italy held this distinction for six consecutive years from 2015 to 2020. Wales claimed the wooden spoon in 2025 after a dismal campaign that included a record 68-14 thrashing by England.
Backing the wooden spoon winner can offer value because the market is usually tight between Italy and one other struggling nation.
Top Try Scorer
Back the player you think will score the most tries across the tournament. French and Irish wingers typically feature prominently. Dead heat rules apply if multiple players finish tied, so you'd receive a fraction of your potential payout.
2026 Six Nations Contenders
Three teams have realistic Championship aspirations heading into 2026.
France
The defending champions and short-priced favourites. France scored 30 tries in the 2025 tournament, more than double what they conceded. Antoine Dupont returned from his Olympic Sevens sabbatical and the depth in their backline is frightening. They host Ireland and England in 2026, which is significant given how dominant they are at Stade de France.
The knock on France has always been consistency. They're capable of brilliance one week and head-scratching defeats the next. But under Fabien Galthie they've become far more reliable.
Ireland
Ireland won back-to-back Championships in 2023 and 2024, including a Grand Slam in 2023. They were chasing history in 2025, attempting to become the first team to win three outright titles in a row, but France's 39-0 demolition in Paris ended that dream.
Key retirements from Cian Healy, Peter O'Mahony and Conor Murray at the end of 2025 mean Ireland enter a transition period. Andy Farrell returns after his Lions duties, but integrating new faces takes time. They're still a genuine contender, just not as rock-solid as they looked two years ago.
England
Steve Borthwick's England looked like a coming force in 2025. They were the only team to beat France (23-22 in a thriller at Twickenham) and hammered Wales 68-14 on Super Saturday. That attacking display suggested the handbrake is finally off.
England haven't won the Championship since 2020, their longest drought in decades. They travel to Paris on Super Saturday 2026 in what could be a title decider. If you believe England are due, the value might be there before the tournament starts.
Scotland, Wales and Italy
Scotland are competitive but rarely string five good performances together. They've finished fourth in back-to-back years and lack the depth to threaten the top three. Wales hit rock bottom in 2025 and face a long rebuild. Italy remain Italy, capable of the occasional upset but realistic wooden spoon candidates.
Historical Betting Trends
A few patterns worth considering when betting on the Six Nations.
Home advantage matters. Seven of the last ten Grand Slams were won by teams playing three home matches that year. France at Stade de France and Ireland at the Aviva Stadium are particularly tough to crack.
Scoring has increased. The 2025 tournament set records with 829 points and 108 tries across 15 matches. The previous records were 803 points (2000) and 91 tries (2023). Over/under lines should be calibrated accordingly.
Grand Slams are rare. Only 42 have been achieved in 132 seasons. Backing "No Grand Slam" can be a steady play if no team looks dominant.
Italy rarely win. They've won just six matches since joining in 2000. Backing them at long odds might seem tempting after a close loss, but it rarely pays off.
Six Nations Betting Tips
Form your own handicap first. Before checking the bookie's line, decide what margin you think a team will win by. If your number is significantly different from the market, there might be value.
Watch for weather. British and Irish February weather can be brutal. A sodden pitch and gale-force winds favour forward-oriented teams and pushes totals down. Check the forecast before hitting the unders or overs.
Consider the bonus point system. Teams chasing bonus points in tight Championship races might throw caution to the wind late in games. This can affect both handicap and total points markets.
Round five is chaos. Super Saturday features three simultaneous title implications. Teams with nothing to play for might rest players, while those chasing the Championship go all-out. The live markets on Super Saturday can swing wildly.
Lock in outrights early. If you fancy France or Ireland to win the Championship, pre-tournament prices are usually better than what you'll get after they've won a couple of games.
Six Nations Betting FAQs
When does the 2026 Six Nations start?
The tournament kicks off on Thursday 5 February 2026 with France hosting Ireland at Stade de France. It's the first time in tournament history that the opening match falls on a Thursday.
How can I watch the Six Nations in Australia?
Stan Sport holds the exclusive Australian broadcast rights. You'll need a Stan subscription plus the Sport add-on to watch live or on demand. Most matches kick off in the early hours AEDT.
What is a Grand Slam in the Six Nations?
A Grand Slam is awarded to any team that wins all five of their matches. It's the highest achievement in the tournament and comes with three bonus points to ensure the Grand Slam winner tops the table.
What is the Triple Crown?
The Triple Crown is a prize only available to England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. To claim it, one of these teams must beat the other three Home Nations during the tournament.
Who won the Six Nations in 2025?
France won the 2025 Six Nations Championship with four wins from five matches. England were the only team to beat them. Wales finished bottom with the wooden spoon.
How do Six Nations bonus points work?
Teams receive one bonus point for scoring four or more tries in a match, and one bonus point for losing by seven points or fewer. Both can be earned in the same game. A Grand Slam (winning all five matches) awards an additional three bonus points.