2019 Six Nations Rugby Previews, Predictions &amp; Betting Tips

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What is the 2019 Six Nations Rugby Championship?

The 2019 Six Nations Rugby Championship is an annual tournament contested between six established European rugby union nations - Ireland, Wales, England, France, Scotland and Italy. The Six Nations Rugby Championship is the equivalent to the southern hemisphere Rugby Championship.

Teams play each other once throughout the course of the tournament, with home advantage alternating from one year to the next. Four points are awarded for a win, two for a draw, one for scoring four or more tries in a game and one for losing by seven points or fewer. The team with the most points is crowned champions.

The Six Nations Rugby Championship is one of the oldest and most prestigious trophies in World Rugby. The elusive Grand Slam is a title bestowed on the winner who is able to remain undefeated for the duration of the competition.

The 2019 tournament will run from 1 February to 16 March and will be the 20th edition of the Six Nations.

2019 Six Nations Rugby Championship History

The Six Nations Rugby Championship began as the Home Nations Championship in 1883. Four nations took part - England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. The tournament became known as the Five Nations Championship in 1910 with the addition of France, but Les Bleus were ejected in 1931 and came back in 1940.

In 2000, when Italy were introduced to the competition, the Five Nations became the Six Nations. There have been calls from the president of Rugby Europe to allow Georgia and Romania into the tournament after success in the European Nations Cup and qualification for the Rugby World Cup.

Ireland, Scotland and Wales are the only nations to have participated in all 124 tournaments across various formats, as England did not compete in 1888 and 1889 due to their refusal to join the International Rugby Board. The tournament was suspended during both World Wars.

Where is the 2019 Six Nations Rugby Championship being played?

France will play their home games at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, Scotland at BT Murrayfield in Edinburgh, Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Wales at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Italy at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome and England at Twickenham in London.

When does the 2019 Six Nations Rugby Championship start?

The tournament begins on 1 February 2019 when France host Wales at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis (kick-off 20h00 GMT).

What are the latest odds for the 2019 Six Nations Rugby Championship?

Ireland are favourites to lift the 2019 Six Nations Rugby Championship after a dominant win in 2018. England are rated as second favourites, with Wales not far behind in third. Scotland, France and Italy are not expected to challenge for the title as their long odds suggest.

Ireland @ 1.80
England @ 5.00
Wales @ 6.00
Scotland @ 19.00
France @ 21.00
Italy @ 1000/1

Ireland winger Jacob Stockdale is the favourite to finish the tournament as top tryscorer and we think the 22-year-old is a good bet to go back to back. Ireland fly-half Johnny Sexton the favourite for Player of the Tournament.

Who has won the most Six Nations Rugby Championship titles?

England lead the way in the Six Nations era with six titles. France sit second with five, while Ireland and Wales are tied on four. In overall tournament history, England and Wales have won 38 titles, but 12 of the latter's have been shared, compared to just 10 of the former's.

Italy and Scotland are the only two teams who have not tasted success in the Six Nations are yet to win the title.

Who are the 2019 Six Nations Rugby Championship defending champions?

Ireland will be looking to retain their Six Nations crown after snatching it from England last year.

What happened in the 2018 Six Nations Rugby Championship?

Initially, it appeared as if England and Ireland would be fighting for the title as they had in 2017. Both picked up victories in their first two games, but then Eddie Jones' men were shocked by Scotland.

There was to be no way back for England as they crumbled to defeats against France and Ireland, while Joe Schmidt's outfit ultimately won all five of their games to complete the Grand Slam.

Wales finished in second place, just above a Scotland side which arguably punched above its weight. France finished fourth, with England fifth and Italy bottom for the third year running.

Jacob Stockdale finished the tournament with seven tries - a record in the Six Nations era - earning himself the Player of the Tournament crown. Meanwhile, France's Maxime Machenaud was the top points scorer with 50 points socred.

Who are the favourites to win the 2019 Six Nations Rugby Championship?

Ireland are rated as clear favourites but their road to glory may be more complicated this year than 2018. They will kick off against England - who rediscovered their form late last year with wins over South Africa and Australia - at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

After away games against Scotland and Italy, Ireland will face France at home before visiting a Welsh side that at the time of writing has won nine games on the trot.

Recent Six Nations Rugby Champions, Grand Slam Winners & Wooden Spoon

Year	Champions	Grand Slam	Wooden Spoon
20198
2018	Ireland	Ireland	Italy
2017	England		Italy
2016	England	England	Italy
2015	Ireland		Scotland
2014	Ireland		Italy
2013	Wales		France
2012	Wales	Wales	Scotland
2011	England		Italy
2010	France	France	Italy
2009	Ireland	Ireland	Italy
2008	Wales	Wales	Italy
2007	France		Scotland
2006	France		Italy
2005	Wales	Wales	Italy
2004	France	France	Scotland
2003	England	England	Wales

At FreeTips.com we will be providing regular Six Nations Championship Tips which include match winner, handicaps, total points, tryscorer tips, and Six Nations top tryscorer tips.

Our priority at Free Tips is to provide you with expertly researched Six Nations Championship tips that you can use to help build your bankroll.

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