There has been plenty to cheer throughout the 2024/25 rugby campaign, both in the National League and from further afield. But as the clocks tick into 2024, the one tournament on everybody’s lips is the Six Nations.

The new year has plenty in store for sports fans. By the end of January, those who check out https://www.oddschecker.com/free-bets/livescore-bet will be in for a treat when the Pegasus World Cup gets underway, a race in which American standout Fierceness is a 5/2 favorite to win. In the boxing world, all eyes will be on Saudi Arabia as Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol battle once again.

However, the true main event of the early months of 2025 is the Six Nations, and here is each team’s chance of winning the tournament.

Ireland

Ireland enters the 2025 Six Nations as the firm favorite, aiming to secure their third consecutive title. Last year, they managed to extinguish the memory of their early exit at the 2023 Rugby World Cup to secure back-to-back Six Nations titles, the first time they had successfully defended the crown in almost a decade. Now they are bidding to become the first team to ever complete the three-peat.

Home advantage will play a critical role for the Boys in Green as they face off against their two biggest rivals in Dublin. England will visit the Aviva on the opening weekend in a crunch clash that could set the tone for the rest of the tournament, On week four, it’s France’s turn to head to the capital of the Emerald Isle, and that particular contest looks set to make all the difference as to who will eventually emerge as the champion.

Fly-half Jack Crowley is arguably his country’s most important player. He has stepped into the starting lineup over the last 18 months following the retirement of Jonny Sexton and he has certainly filled the boots of the former Leinster man. Now, he aims to lead his team to glory once more.

France

As the current second favorite, France remains Ireland’s biggest threat. Les Bleus will aim to reclaim the crown they last won in 2022 when they became the first team in three years to complete the grand slam. Their attacking flair has already led them to an Olympic gold medal in the Sevens format of the game, and they will be aiming to crown a blockbuster year by returning to the summit of European Rugby.

The main thing propelling French hopes is their brilliant scrum half, Antoine Dupont. The Toulouse man is arguably the best player on the planet – certainly in the Northern Hemisphere – and if he is at his blistering best, then Irish hopes of a Six Nations hat trick could come crashing down.

England

England enters the tournament amid a rebuilding phase, but they cannot be ruled out. The Red Rose showed flashes of brilliance in recent outings but also struggled with consistency and squad transitions. They lost three consecutive fixtures against Southern Hemisphere heavyweights Australia, New Zealand, and reigning world champions South Africa, but a recent 59-14 drubbing of Japan shows just how good they can be on their best day,

With a blend of emerging talent and experienced players like Maro Itoje, England’s success will depend on how quickly they find stability under their new leader Steve Borthwick. Their opening-day trip to Dublin will certainly set the tone, and if they can spring the upset there, it could catapult them into a genuine contender.

Scotland

Scotland remains among the tournament’s dark horses, despite their impressive showings in recent years. They have won the Calcutta Cup against their rivals from the South in each of the last four years, and claiming the famous old trophy for a fifth year in a row will certainly emphasize their dominance over their greatest rivals. With players like Finn Russell and Duhan van der Merwe in their ranks, the Scots are capable of dazzling moments of rugby brilliance, but they will have to play out of their skin to win the tournament for the first time ever.

Wales

Wales has long been one of the competition’s powerhouses, but their quality has fallen off a cliff in recent years. Last year, they ended up with the wooden spoon, and a similarly difficult campaign could lie ahead.

Italy

Italy faces an uphill battle as they continue their quest to close the gap to the top-tier nations. They managed two wins from their five games last year, an impressive showing for the Azzurri. If they can manage the same this time around and avoid bottom place, they’ll be more than content.