THE Six Nations 2025 kick-starts this month as England, Ireland, France, Italy, Scotland and Wales battle it out for the ultimate prize.

The anticipation continues to build ahead of the 142-year-old championship, which kick-starts on January 31. So our betting experts at SunSport have taken a closer look at the Six Nations 2025 to provide punters with tips, predictions and exclusive sign-up offers from our betting partners.

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Six Nations 2025 betting tips

• France to win the Six Nations at 2/1 with Betfred
• France/Ireland straight forecast at 5/1 with Betfred
• Italy to finish bottom at 10/11 with Betfred

Six Nations 2025 preview

Ireland – 7/4

It’s no surprise to see Ireland installed as 7/4 favourites to win the 2025 Six Nations.

Under Andy Farrell, Ireland clinched back-to-back championships in 2023 and 2024, with only a narrow defeat to England preventing them from completing successive Grand Slams.

There’s also an added bonus in that the Irish take on both France and England in Dublin at the Aviva Stadium, which significantly bolsters their chances of claiming a third-straight Six Nations title.

However, with head coach Farrell now on duty with the British and Irish Lions, Simon Easterby will take charge for this year’s tournament. Could that jeopardise their chances?

France – 2/1

France, the 2022 champions, are considered Ireland’s closest rivals, at odds of 2/1 with Betfred – no huge shock given they have finished second to Farrell’s side in the last two competitions.

Despite a turbulent 2024 campaign that included a surprising draw against Italy, Fabien Galthie’s men have built some momentum heading into this competition following victories over Japan, Argentina and that incredible 30-29 win against New Zealand at the Stade de France in November.

Les Bleus, who ended the Autumn Nations Series as the only undefeated Six Nations side, boast an immensely talented squad and the return of superstar Antoine Dupont will further bolster their chances.

England – 7/2

England enter this tournament as somewhat of an enigma as they go in search of a first Six Nations title since 2020.

Steve Borthwick’s talented crop of players – spearheaded by new captain Maro Itoje – have shown flashes of brilliance over the last 12 months, including last year’s win over Ireland at Twickenham.

But consistency remains elusive.

They’ve conspired to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory on several occasions in recent months, most notably against the All Blacks and Wallabies during the Autumn Nations Series.

Borthwick’s side don’t have any time to waste, they’ll need to hit the ground running with a trip to Dublin followed by France in their opening two games of the competition.

Scotland – 11/2

Scotland’s odds of 11/2 underscore their rising competitiveness.

Gregor Townsend’s team has impressed with back-to-back Calcutta Cup victories over England, yet their ability to maintain high performance levels throughout the tournament remains a question.

Scotland beat England 30-21 at Murrayfield last year before a second-half collapse in Rome saw Italy secure their first Six Nations home win since 2013.

Wales – 50/1

Wales are understandably long shots at 50/1. Warren Gatland’s side are in a transitional phase, grappling with injuries and an ageing squad.

Wales took the Six Nations wooden spoon for the first time in 21 years in the 2024 tournament, it was also statistically the worst side in Wales’ 143-year international rugby history, slumping to a record 12 successive Test match defeats.

Italy – 150/1

Italy’s improved performances — highlighted by their historic draw with France in 2024 —have yet to translate into consistent results and they remain the perennial underdogs heading into the Six Nations.

When is the Six Nations 2025?

• The 2025 fixtures for the Six Nations are scheduled to begin on Friday 31 January 2025
• The tournament will run until 15 March 2025

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TOTTENHAM manager Ange Postecoglou is favourite for the sack.

That’s according to bookmakers talkSPORT BET, who’ve updated their managerial betting markets following Spurs’ defeat to arch-rivals Arsenal.

There have been a total of six Premier League managers relieved of their duties in the 2024/25 campaign.

Manchester United’s Erik ten Hag was the first casualty back in October, followed by Leicester’s Steve Cooper less than a month later.

Wolves’ Gary O’Neil and Southampton’s Russell Martin were both axed on December 15th before Julen Lopetegui was dismissed at the London Stadium after just six months in charge.

Sean Dyche is the latest top-flight boss to have been sacked after a difficult period in charge of Everton.

This season has already seen double the overhaul than the entirety of the 2023/24 campaign where only three Premier League managers were sacked – Paul Heckingbottom (Sheffield United), Steve Cooper (Nottingham Forest) and Roy Hodgson (Crystal Palace).

But there could be more changes on the horizon in such a competitive season, and talkSPORT BET think Postecoglou is the most likely to be sent packing at 13/8.

Despite taking the lead against Arsenal, Spurs succumbed to a 2-1 defeat in the north London derby at the Emirates Stadium.

The result leaves Tottenham in 13th position and closer to the relegation zone than the European qualification spots.

Tottenham have lost 11 games in the Premier League this season; their joint-most at this stage of a single campaign in the competition, while they’ve also lost 18 points from winning positions in the Premier League this season – only Fulham (19) have lost more.

Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown feels pressure is mounting on Postecoglou: “Tottenham took so many risks and Arsenal took advantage – the game was so open.

“Manchester United will probably go above Spurs. A difficult moment for them and the manager is skating on thin ice.”

Ruud Van Nistelrooy is next at 5/1 having only arrived at the King Power in November.

The Foxes are anchored in 19th position, two points adrift of safety and are enduring a miserable six-game losing streak ahead of games against Fulham, Tottenham and Everton.

Southampton’s Ivan Juric, who replaced Russell Martin in December, is the same price at 5s.

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Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

• Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
• Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
• Never chase their losses
• Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressed
• Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
• Gamble Aware – www.gambleaware.org

Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.

For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk

NATO warplanes were scrambled today after a suspected Russian drone crashed following an encroachment of Romanian airspace. 

Footage showed a dramatic explosion believed to be at a port on the Ukrainian side of the River Danube which forms the frontier with Romania.

EPA

Vladimir Putin[/caption]

But reports in Bucharest said the same wave of attacks that a Putin drone had crashed  near Tulcea county on the Romanian side of the border.

The Russian incursion triggered the response by NATO fighters, and an air raid warning to residents close to the Danube in Romania.

The Romanian defence ministry said: “At 1:35 a.m., two F-16 aircraft of the Romanian Air Force, part of the Air Police Combat Service, took off from the 86th Air Base in Borcea to monitor the air situation. 

“The aircraft returned to base around 3:48 a.m.”

NATO structures were kept fully abreast of the suspected illegal incursion by Russia, said Romanian officials.

“The Ministry of National Defence sends a firm message of condemnation of these attacks carried out by the Russian Federation against Ukrainian civilian objects and infrastructure elements, which are unjustified and in serious contradiction with the norms of international law,” said a Romanian statement.

Earlier this week, NATO warplanes were scrambled in Poland amid a wave of Russian missile and drone strikes in western Ukraine close to the alliance’s eastern flank.

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A WOMAN has died and a two-year-old girl left seriously injured following a horror “attack” at a home.

Police were scrambled to Ashford, Surrey, yesterday afternoon following a report of a concern for safety.

The woman, aged in her 20s, was discovered dead inside while the young girl was rushed to hospital.

A man in his 30s has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.

Surrey Police believe the victim and suspect were known to each other and said there is not believed to be a wider risk.

No update has been released on the girl’s condition.

An investigation, led by the Surrey and Sussex Police Major Crime Team, is underway and enquiries are ongoing.

Senior Investigating Officer DCI Kimball Edey said,

“This investigation is in its early stages and a team of specialist officers are working around the clock to gather as much information as possible.

“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the victims at this unbelievably difficult time.”

Anyone with information has been asked to call police on 101 quoting PR/45250005886.

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Police have reportedly detained a suspect over an attack on Indian Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan, who was stabbed in a scuffle with an intruder at his home.

Hopes of West Australian young gun Cooper Connolly making a Test debut in Sri Lanka have received a major boost, with left-arm spinner Matt Kuhnemann in a race to be fit for the tour. 

West Pilbara cricket teams returned home from Perth with good efforts in junior country week after 42 teams competed in the biggest cricket carnival in the State from January 6-10. 

A Perth man has been charged after he allegedly sent four ‘threatening and harassing’ emails to a Federal politician after police searched his phone.

Young striker Noah Botic has scored a long-range wonder goal and a header to lead Western United to a 3-1 win over Newcastle.

One of Perth’s oldest community football clubs has missed out on funding to spare teenage girls from having to share changerooms, as Roger Cook pledged $30 million towards women’s sport elsewhere.