The Six Nations is the biggest rugby betting event of the year for Irish punters, and the 2027 championship runs from 5 February to 13 March. This Six Nations betting guide covers Ireland’s fixtures, how Six Nations odds and bonus points work, the main Six Nations betting markets with euro examples, and what to check before you bet. It is a guide to how betting works, not a tipping service, and there are no guaranteed winners.
- The 2027 Six Nations runs from 5 February to 13 March, and Ireland open at home to England on Friday 5 February, as confirmed by Irish Rugby.
- A win is worth four points and a draw two, with bonus points for four tries and for a narrow defeat, plus three extra points for a Grand Slam.
- The main markets are the outright winner, match handicaps, winning margin, try scorers, Grand Slam, Triple Crown and wooden spoon.
- Outright prices move after every round, so the same bet can be a very different price in round four.
What are Ireland’s 2027 Six Nations fixtures?
The championship has five rounds, with every team playing each of the others once. Fixtures below are as confirmed by Irish Rugby. Check kick-off times again before you bet, as broadcasters and unions can change them.
| Round | Date | Fixture | Venue | Kick-off (GMT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Friday 5 February | Ireland v England | Aviva Stadium, Dublin | 20:10 |
| 2 | Saturday 13 February | Italy v Ireland | Rome | 14:10 |
| 3 | Saturday 20 February | Wales v Ireland | Cardiff | 14:10 |
| 4 | Friday 5 March | Scotland v Ireland | Murrayfield, Edinburgh | 20:10 |
| 5 | Saturday 13 March | Ireland v France | Aviva Stadium, Dublin | 20:10 |
Two home games and three away games shape the outright market, because the away trips to Rome, Cardiff and Edinburgh come before the final-round home game against France. Home advantage alternates from year to year, so the opposition Ireland host in 2027 is different from the previous year.
How do the Six Nations points and bonus points work?
The table is decided on points, then points difference, then tries scored. That makes the details matter for outright and Grand Slam bets.
| Result or bonus | Points |
|---|---|
| Win | 4 |
| Draw | 2 |
| Loss | 0 |
| Bonus point for scoring four or more tries in a match | 1 |
| Bonus point for losing by seven points or fewer | 1 |
| Grand Slam bonus for winning all five games | 3 |
Because of the Grand Slam bonus, a team that wins all five games cannot be caught on points. A team can also finish second in a tight table because of points difference rather than wins. When you back a team to win the championship, work out whether they can realistically win with a loss in the bank, because bonus points sometimes decide it on the last weekend, the so-called Super Saturday.
What are the main Six Nations betting markets?
Championship winner
An ante-post outright market that runs from the autumn until the final round. Stakes are lost if your team does not win, and prices move after every match. Backing early gets a bigger price but means you carry the risk of injuries to key players before the championship even starts.
Match result and handicap
Rugby handicaps give one side a points start. If Ireland are -9.5 against Italy, they must win by ten or more for the bet to win. A €10 bet at evens returns €20 in total if they win by ten or more. Bookmakers use half-points to avoid pushes, so check the line carefully.
Winning margin
You pick a band such as 1 to 5 points, 6 to 10 points or 11 to 15 points, or a team with a band. These pay bigger prices than the result but are harder to land. A €5 bet at 11/2 returns €32.50 in total.
Grand Slam, Triple Crown and wooden spoon
A Grand Slam means winning all five matches. The Triple Crown goes to a home nation (Ireland, England, Scotland or Wales) that beats the other three, so a Triple Crown can be won while losing to France or Italy. The wooden spoon market is on the team that finishes bottom. Rivalry trophies, such as the Millennium Trophy for England v Ireland and the Centenary Quaich for Ireland v Scotland, are not usually separate betting markets, but you may see them in boosted prices.
Try scorer and player markets
First, anytime and last try scorer markets are common, and they feed bet builders. Wingers and back-row forwards are the usual favourites, but selections can be void or lose if a player does not start, depending on the terms. Check the team sheet, which is announced in the days before the game.
A worked example: backing Ireland across the tournament
Suppose you stake €20 on Ireland to win the Six Nations at 5/2 before round one. If Ireland win the championship, you get €70 back in total, which is €50 profit plus your €20 stake. If they finish second, the bet loses. Alternatively, you might place €10 on Ireland to win each of the first two games, say at 1/4 and 1/3, and combine them in a double. Our bet calculator works out the return, and bet types explained shows how singles, doubles and accumulators differ. The more selections you add, the lower the chance that all of them win.
What should you check before betting on the Six Nations?
- Squad announcements and injuries. Confirmed in the days before each match, and a key absence can move a handicap by a couple of points.
- Home advantage and travel. Grounds such as Cardiff and Murrayfield can be hard places to win.
- Weather. Rain and wind reduce try-scoring and favour kicking games, which affects totals and try-scorer bets.
- Turnaround. Five rounds in six weeks means rest and rotation matter, especially for the Friday-night games.
- What is at stake. A team out of the title race may still play for pride and the Triple Crown.
- Prices at several licensed bookmakers. Outright and handicap lines can differ, and so can each bookmaker’s rules on void selections.
Where can you bet on the Six Nations in Ireland?
With a bookmaker licensed for Irish customers. See our betting sites in Ireland and how to check a bookmaker is licensed. For a sportsbook with a long history in Irish racing and rugby markets, you can start with our reviews of Paddy Power and BoyleSports, and compare prices before you stake.
Keep it in perspective
Most punters lose over time. Set a deposit limit before you start, only bet what you can afford to lose, and see our responsible gambling page for help. Free, confidential support is available from GamblingCare.ie.
Related guides
- How betting odds work
- Bet types explained
- Free bets and wagering explained
- Bet calculator
- GAA betting guide
- Betting sites in Ireland
Frequently asked questions
When is the 2027 Six Nations?
The 2027 men’s Six Nations runs from 5 February to 13 March 2027.
Who does Ireland play in the 2027 Six Nations?
England at home, Italy away, Wales away, Scotland away and France at home, according to the fixtures confirmed by Irish Rugby.
How many points is a win worth in the Six Nations?
Four, with two for a draw. There is a bonus point for four or more tries, a bonus point for losing by seven or fewer, and three extra points for a Grand Slam.
What is the difference between the Grand Slam and the Triple Crown?
A Grand Slam means winning all five matches. The Triple Crown goes to a home nation, meaning Ireland, England, Scotland or Wales, that beats the other three.
Are Six Nations predictions reliable?
No. They are opinion and upsets happen, so treat any prediction as one input and never bet more than you can afford to lose.
How is the Six Nations table decided if teams are level on points?
By points difference first, and then by the number of tries scored, according to the tournament rules published by Six Nations Rugby.
Sources and further reading
- Irish Rugby: 2027 Six Nations fixtures confirmed – dates, opponents and kick-off times
- Six Nations Rugby – official rules, points system and tournament news
- GamblingCare.ie – free, confidential support
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Last updated 10 October 2026. Written and checked by the Punter Ireland editorial team. Offers, odds and rules change, so always check the operator’s own terms and the official sources above.
