Despite running out as winners in this year's edition, Wales is certainly not fancied to repeat their success in the competition next time around.
Despite winning the tournament on two of the last three occasions, Wales seems to be consistently underrated and indeed overlooked as a favourite in the casino betting odds markets. These markets usually give a good idea of who will win, but as Wales can attest to, that doesn't always mean that they are right and the payouts can cost them quite a lot of money.
Punters who like to take part in virtual games like esports betting are used to seeing games of high drama and tight results. Yet, none can match the excitement of real-life games as the Six Nations went down to the final series of games. Late tries in France's last two games, the first by France themselves ending Wales' chance of a grand slam and even threatening their hopes of winning the Six Nations and the second, scored against them by Scotland in an upset which handed the title to Wales. It’s thrilling encounters like these that make rugby so exciting.
Notwithstanding Italy, which has finished dead last 16 times since the inception of the Six Nations in 2000, Scotland is seen to be the weakest team in the tournament. Yet, last time around they managed to stun England in the opening game at Twickenham and crush France's hopes in Paris at Stade de France. While bookmakers see them as outsiders, they could put a dent in Wales's title challenge next year.
Good teams usually come in cycles and England will have been disappointed to finish in fifth place, having won the previous year's championship. Wales, having won in 2019, may see this as a perfect time to strike on and exert their dominance. France, having come so close, will be eager to put those mistakes behind them and be trying their best to claim a trophy that has managed to elude them since 2010. While Ireland ended their campaign in third place, fans were disappointed, as a lot more was expected from the team. Wales certainly won't have it all their own way next year.
Currently, the cream of the rugby crop of the British Isles is taking part in its tour of South Africa. 10 Welsh players made the squad coming second in number only to the English players taken which were 11. This goes to show that Welsh rugby is in a good state of affairs and should stand them in good stead as they aim to keep up fitness and match sharpness. It is an important test series so the fact so many have been taken just shows how respected they are and trusted to do their job on the pitch.
So far these players have performed admirably with the first test against the Springboks ending in victory. At the time of writing two tests remained and while English, Irish and Scottish players are involved too, performing well in these tests can be a major boost to the Welsh players' confidence. If they continue to play well, they can keep that good vein of form going long into next year. While Wales have played during this tour, these players' absence has affected their results.
Many Wales fans were quite unhappy at the departure of Warren Gatland, who had last won the competition in charge of the national team in 2019. He decided to leave his national team post after the holding of the Rugby World Cup in the same year and is currently overseeing the British and Irish Lions in South Africa. Yet, their new manager Wayne Pivac has seemed like a more than capable replacement. A native New Zealander, he is now welcomed with open arms. Yet, it wasn't an easy beginning for him or his backroom team, it was a hard task to try and replace Gatland, who had brought the national side much success.
Many were unsure about his appointment after an unconvincing campaign in which they finished fifth in the 2020 edition of the tournament but he seems to have proven the doubters wrong. Now, many are curious to see if he can repeat that feat, and write himself into Welsh legend as in the history of the Six Nations, Wales have only achieved back-to-back titles in the years of 2012 and 2013. This could be a vital time for him and his team as they aim to push onto greater things, yet failure may see demands for another change of personnel.
While Wales have sticky away fixtures in this year's Six Nations tournament, starting their campaign away to Ireland and having to face England at Twickenham, their home games might provide the key to challenging for the trophy once again. Victories in either of these away games, especially the first one, would provide a good springboard from which their rivals may struggle to recover from. With two heavyweights doing battle on the last day in the shape of France vs England, it would be nice to be in charge of your destiny going into the final weekend.
If that is the case, then the last match, at home to Italy would be a great chance for Wales to seal the deal. It is the perfect opportunity to rack up a win, and a possible high-scoring one at that. This could make all the difference if the table is tight and if still in the hunt, Wales will know what they have to do. Previous games at home like facing Scotland should test their pedigree and if they can emerge unscathed at home against France, they could be in a great position. It's important to perform well at home, as away wins these days, while not uncommon, are usually very hard-fought.
With the World Cup coming around again in 2023, the time is right for Wales to strike a blow to rivals and ensure they take the top spot in Europe again. After losing in the semi-finals in 2019, Wales will be keen to go one step further than before. Consecutive wins in the Six Nations would only cement their place as challengers on the world stage. If you feel confident they are capable of doing so, be sure to check out the generous betting odds available on them winning the Six Nations at any reputable online casino.
