talkSPORT betting tips – Best Six Nations rugby bets and expert advice round 5

The Six Nations draws to its exciting conclusion on Saturday with all six teams taking to the field in what is poised to be a captivating day of action.

The battle to avoid finishing last starts the day off as Italy take a trip to Wales, followed by Ireland hosting Scotland in Dublin where victory would seal successive Six Nations triumphs for the Irish.

However, defeat for Andy Farrell’s men would open the door for England to usurp them at the top of the table with victory in France in the late kick-off.

Six Nations tips

• Ireland v Scotland – Ireland to win by 1-7 points @ 21/5
• Wales v Italy – Italy to win @ 9/4

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Ireland can clinch double in Dublin

Ireland were on course to make it back-to-back perfect campaigns after their Grand Slam in 2023 before a late drop goal by England’s Marcus Smith snatched victory away from Andy Farrell’s men at Twickenham.

However, dominant wins in each of their previous three fixtures will give Ireland all the required confidence to claim the title against Scotland, whose own title ambitions were ended by a 31-29 defeat in Italy last time out.

Ireland were victorious by at least a 20-point margin against France, Wales and Italy but a sterner test should be expected against the Scots, who could claim their first Triple Crown in the Six Nations era with victory in Dublin.

Duhan Van der Merwe and Blair Kinghorn can cause havoc from the back – as they have on a multitude of occasions this year – however Scotland have historically struggled in Ireland, with their last victory over the Irish Sea coming in 2010.

Ireland’s last defeat at home came against France in 2021 and so home advantage could be key in deciding this encounter, with a tight victory and the championship looking to go Ireland’s way.

Azzurri to further Welsh woes 

Warren Gatland has never been handed the wooden spoon as Wales head coach but he is in real danger of it happening after Italy visit the Principality Stadium, with four points separating the sides in the table.

Wales have lost each of their four fixtures so far, with heavy defeats to France and Ireland undoing the promising work shown in tight losses to Scotland (27-26) and England (16-14) in the opening weeks.

Italy, meanwhile, have had a campaign to remember, with the tournament underdogs going unbeaten in their last two fixtures including a memorable 31-29 victory over Scotland last weekend.

This form and belief will give them high hopes of avoiding the wooden spoon for the first time since 2015 and, with the Wales squad lacking experience, the visitors could have enough to add to the home side’s misery in Cardiff.

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