Six Nations Predictions 2025 – Round 2

Having made their first impressions, France, Ireland and Scotland will look to kick on while England, Italy and Wales will want to bounce back in Round Two. 

Saturday will see the Azzurri and the Dragons duke it out in Rome and Le Crunch go down at the home of English rugby before the round comes to a close with a clash between the Scots and Ireland at Murrayfield on Sunday.

Italy v Wales

When: Saturday, 8 February – 16:15 SAST

Italy were a lot more impressive in defeat than Wales were last weekend.

The Azzurri were pugnacious and opportunistic in their 31-19 loss to Scotland. It took them 20 minutes to get into the game, after which they did a great job of clawing things back to 19-all. If nothing else, they deserved a losing bonus point for the fight they showed.

Winless in all of 2024, this season could not have gotten off to a worse start for Wales as they were whitewashed 43-0 by France. It wasn’t for a lack of effort. No, the young Dragons – who have an average age of 24 – were passionate and energetic but simply outmuscled.

This should be a fun one. Italy will need to start faster and inject some creativity into their attack. Wales, in turn, will be fuelled by redemption and will be competing in their own weight class, so to speak. The difference, I believe, will be discipline. Italy’s patience and the unerring boot of Tommy Allen should get them over the line.

Prediction: Italy by 4.
Suggested Bet: Wales +6.5 at 1.90.

England v France

When: Saturday, 8 February – 18:45 SAST

England looked outstanding in the first half of their clash against Ireland last weekend but their biggest weakness in 2024 – dropping off in the second half – followed them into the new season and cost them the game.

There were plenty of positives to take out of the 27-22 loss – their overall intensity, purposeful carrying, the speed and efficiency of the back row and defensive structure in the first 40. However, that it all unravelled after the break means they’re still stuck in a rut.

Meanwhile, there is a sense of expectation around the French side with Antoine Dupont back in the driver’s seat and man, did they deliver first up. Simply ferocious, they got off to the perfect start by blanking and battering hapless Wales and taking on England at Twickenham is the ideal next test to see how fierce their title challenge will be.

As dominant as the performance was, the scary thing is Les Bleus can still get better. They had periods of inaccuracy and lack of a singular focus, things they’ll look to rectify for what will be a stern challenge this week, which will be made tougher by the loss of suspended flyhalf Romain Ntamack.

England will be full of fire but they’ll fizzle out once again, leading to a fourth straight win for France against their old foes.

Prediction: France by 12.
Suggested Bet: France -4.5 at 1.80.

Scotland v Ireland

When: Sunday, 9 February – 17:00 SAST

Stepping up is on both sides’ agendas after they underwhelmed last weekend.

Scotland, in particular, were well below their best in their 12-point win over Italy. Whenever Finn Russell has an ordinary day, the team as a whole struggles and that was the case against the Azzurri. He normally lifts himself for big games like this one, so Gregor Townsend won’t be too concerned about his No. 10.

As for Ireland, one can’t complain too much about a bonus-point victory over England but they were below the high standards they’ve set for themselves in recent years. This isn’t a new issue, either.

They’ve been about 10% less accurate and effective than usual in their last half-dozen Tests or so, which is a worrying trend for the two-time defending champions with a massive meeting against Les Bleus looming large.

Stylistically, though, they match up very well against the Scots. They’ve won the last 10 Tests between the teams with their last defeat coming in 2017 (27-22). Expect this streak to continue.

Prediction: Ireland by 5.
Suggested Bet: Scotland +6.5 at 1.80.