The eagerly anticipated six-nations returns this weekend and this year’s tournament could be more open than usual given the extensive injury troubles all the top-teams are facing. Defending champions England are marginal six-nations favourites ahead of Ireland, Scotland are third favourites and Wales, France and Italy make up the rest of the betting. England get their campaign underway on Sunday away against Italy, which is usually a gimme in terms of the win. It’s also a good chance to blow away any team rustiness, for highlighting and ironing out any mistakes or areas of concern and blooding in as many of the squad members who don’t always get chances to start or play, which could prove pivotal this season with so many player injuries and injury doubts due to the ever-increasing physical side of the game.

Tomorrow Wales and Scotland kick-off the 2018 Six-Nations at the Principality Stadium, Cardiff and this one could go the way of the visitors who were brilliant in the 2017 Autumn internationals narrowly losing against World Champions New Zealand and backing up that superb performance by putting Australia to the sword. Wales’ squad has been decimated by injury and that’s a good enough reason to side with he visitors either off scratch or with a small start on the handicap. The second match tomorrow is between France and Ireland at the Stade de France, Paris and Ireland are clear favourites to win at odds on as France have only won one of the last seven competitive fixtures against Ireland and their squad has been badly hit by injuries, suspensions and some questionable squad omissions.