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It’s been 24 years since Scotland won a Six Nations title. In fact, back then, it wasn’t even called the Six Nations—it was the Five Nations, with Scotland last winning pre-Italy in 1999.
Could this be the year that the Scots shake the monkey off their back and claim an inaugural Six Nations crown? Unfortunately, it won’t be. After making a strong start, with an impressive away win over England at Twickenham and a heavy thumping of Wales in Round Two, two defeats in a row have knocked Scotland out of contention in 2023. However, they still have an opportunity to save some face and finish as high as second in the standings with a strong final round performance.
We preview the Scotland Six Nations squad and odds, with all the information you need to bet on the Six Nations 2023.
Scotland Odds Six Nations
Contents
Heading into the tournament, Scotland were fourth favourite in the betting odds. Mid-tournament, they were as high as second in the odds, with their two wins from two games rocketing them up the bookies’ rankings. Now, however, it is mathematically impossible for Scotland to win the Six Nations. As a result, there are no Scotland odds Six Nations available at any bookmakers.
Scotland Six Nations Chances of Winning
The chances of Scotland winning the Six Nations 2023, rounded to the nearest whole number, and expressed as a percentage, is 0%. Sitting on 10 points with one game to go, and Ireland on 19 points, they simply cannot do it. To have a chance of winning, Scotland would have needed a victory over Ireland last round.
Latest Scotland Six Nations Game
Last weekend, Scotland hosted Ireland for a top of the table clash that would all but decide the Six Nations champion. For the best part of an hour it was anyone’s game. Scotland scored first to take the early lead, before Ireland returned fire to take an 8-7 lead into the break. A stalemate in the second half was finally broken in the 57th minute, when Ireland scored two quick tries to race out to 22-7. The scoreboard again remained stagnant, with the final score 22-7 to Ireland.
Remaining Scotland Six Nations Games
Scotland have one game remaining in the Six Nations, with this match being played at home. Here’s how the rest of the Scotland Six Nations campaign will unfold:
- Italy – Home (12th of March)
Scotland are unable to win the Six Nations, but will be eager to put in a big shift against a winless Italian side. Do so, and they could still salvage a second placed finish this year.
Next Scotland Six Nations Game
Scotland would have hoped to host Italy in Edinburgh needing a win to claim the title, but alas, it is Italy who are chasing a win to avoid the wooden spoon instead. It’s hard to know which side will show up for each nation—will Italy be disappointed after failing to beat Wales? Or will Scotland have run out of steam now that they’re out of contention? Or, will both nations bring their best and play for pride here? We say Scotland should win, but whether it’s by two points or 20 is a tougher call to make.
Scotland Six Nations History
Scotland are one of the original members of the Six Nations, having been part of the competition since its launch as the Home Nations in 1883. The Scots fared better in the early days, winning the Home Nations nine times outright and sharing two titles, and adding a further five outright titles and six shared in the Five Nations. Since the tournament expanded to be the Six Nations in 2000, however, Scotland have been unable to get their hands on the silverware, with their last title coming in 1999.
Here’s how the past five Scotland Six Nations campaigns have unfolded:
- 2018—Third place
- 2019—Fifth place
- 2020—Fourth place
- 2021—Fourth place
- 2022—Third place
Last year was a promising campaign, with Scotland picking up wins over England and Italy. They’ve already done the former this season—can they add the scalps of Wales and perhaps another big name to their tally this Six Nations?
Scotland Six Nations Squad
Scotland have named a strong Six Nations squad, with a 40-man team announced ahead of the tournament starting.
The squad includes four uncapped players, one of which is winger Ruarich McConnochie who has previously played for England. Stafford McDowall, Ben Healy and Cameron Henderson join McConnochie as new faces in the the Scotland Six Nations camp, while there is plenty of experience as well, with 11 50+ cap players in the side.
Full Squad List
Forwards
Ewan Ashman, Josh Bayliss, Simon Berghan, Jamie Bhatti, Fraser Brown, Dave Cherry, Andy Christie, Luke Crosbie, Jack Dempsey, Matt Fagerson, Zander Fagerson, Grant Gilchrist, Jonny Gray, Richie Gray, Cameron Henderson, WP Nel, Jamie Ritchie, Pierre Schoeman, Javan Sebastian, Sam Skinner, Rory Sutherland, George Turner and Hamish Watson.
Backs
Chris Harris, Ben Healy, Stuart Hogg, George Horne, Huw Jones, Blair Kinghorn, Sean Maitland, Ruaridh McConnochie, Stafford McDowell, Ali Price, Cameron Redpath, Finn Russell, Ollie Smith, Kyle Steyn, Sione Tuipulotu, Duhan van der Merwe and Ben White.
Injury Updates
Darcy Graham, Scott Cummings, Rory Darge, Murphy Walker and Adam Hasting were all unavailable for selection ahead of the Six Nations due to injury. Hamish Watson and Zander Fagerson, however, are back in the squad after being sidelined previously by injury. Fagerson sat out the opening match against England, but recovered for last weekend’s match against Wales.
Duhan van der Merwe is another player who has returned from injury—emphatically so, scoring one of the tries of the year against England in Round One.
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