A side that has shown they are capable of beating any side in the competition on their day, Scotland are desperately seeking consistency to challenge for a first ever rugby Six Nations title.
The last winners of rugby union’s Five Nations Championship back in 1999, the Scots are looking for the consistent levels of performance that could see them cause an upset in this year’s Six Nations.
Stars Capable Of Something Special
When it comes to individual talent, Scotland boasts a few of the top players in the northern hemisphere. The Scots, who are +2000 in the Six Nations betting to win the tournament this year, have one of the best fly-halves in world rugby in the form of Finn Russell. The Racing 92 star has the creative flair to unlock any defense and if he can find form and stay fit, it will give the Scots’ chances a significant boost. Scotland are +1800 in the Rugby Union betting to beat England, Wales and Ireland to claim the Triple Crown this year but they will need more than Russell to be able to get their hands on the trophy.
Exeter Chiefs full-back Stuart Hogg is another standout player in the Scotland back division. The former Glasgow Warriors star has been a mainstay in the No.15 jersey for Scotland and was previously captain of the side. Head coach Gregor Townsend decided to relieve Hogg of the armband and give it to Edinburgh flanker Jamie Ritchie last year. Without the distraction of the captaincy, Hogg can now fully focus on getting back to his best form. Some impressive performances last autumn could be a strong foundation for a positive Six Nations for the British & Irish Lions full-back.
Serious Competition This Season
The Six Nations is a brutal tournament when a side can go from title contenders to also-rans in the space of an afternoon. With just five games to play for each nation, every result is vital in the makeup of the final table. Without question, France are the deserved firm favorites going into the competition. Les Bleus managed to secure the Grand Slam last season and are also the favorites to win the World Cup which will be hosted in France later this year. With a powerful forward pack and a backline that boasts a world class scrum-half in Antoine Dupont, France will take some stopping to be denied the title.
🇫🇷 The 42-man squad for @FranceRugby as they aim to defend their #GuinnessSixNations title.#AwakenAnticipation pic.twitter.com/6WcSEcX8l3
— Guinness Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) January 18, 2023
Ireland will also fancy their chances of getting their hands on the Six Nations trophy for the first time since 2018. The Irish are a team blessed with a wealth of experience and picked up some big results in 2022. Winning a three-match Test series in New Zealand last summer was the highlight, while there were also victories against South Africa and Australia. Ireland certainly can’t be underestimated going into this year’s Six Nations.
Scotland have their work cut out for them if they are to finally get their hands on the Six Nations trophy for the first time in their history this year. However, if their key players find form and the side find that elusive level of consistency, they could be in with a chance.
Read: RANKED: Top 10 most attractive sports, according to survey
