Andy Farrell’s Ireland are just two wins away from securing another historic Six Nations Championship Grand Slam. After facing Scotland in Edinburgh, the Irish end their 2023 Six Nations campaign with a mouth-watering home fixture with England in Dublin.
Ireland Have Dominated So Far
After a dominant tournament so far, Ireland look nailed on to win the championship. They were the bookies’ favorites before the competition began, and Farrell’s side have certainly lived up to the billing. Ireland can get their hands on the trophy before their final game with England. Looking at the latest 6 Nations betting odds, Ireland are priced at just -1200 to win the tournament. Also, you can get -188 for the Irish to win their last two games and pick up the Grand Slam.
Ireland are having a memorable 2023 Six Nations Championship. Big things were expected of the class of 2023, and Ireland have not disappointed up to now. They have won three out of three in the Six Nations, racking up exactly 100 scoring points along the way.
The Irish thumped Wales 34-10 in Cardiff before an impressive victory over 2022 Grand Slam winners France at the Aviva Stadium. Ireland made it three wins out of three with a 34-20 victory over a dogged Italy side in Rome last time out. They have put one giant hand on the 2023 Six Nations Championship trophy, and they will be looking to get the job done as quickly as possible.
Match Week incoming! 馃檶#TeamOfUs | #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/Lg6kYAZjpu
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) March 5, 2023
Will the Irish Win a Second Grand Slam in Five Years?
Ireland are well behind England, Wales and France when it comes to Grand Slam wins. England are the record Grand Slam winners with 13 to their name, with Wales winning 12, and France picking up ten.
Both Ireland and Scotland have won every game on three occasions. Just five years ago, Ireland went through the card to win the 2018 Six Nations and secure a third Grand Slam. Their first was way back in 1948, and the second came in 2009.
Beating every nation in the tournament is no mean feat, but after wins over Wales, France and Italy, the Irish are now odds-on to make it five victories in five and claim a fourth Grand Slam title.
鈽橈笍 Andy Farrell highlights the challenge which awaits Ireland at Murrayfield on Sunday. #GuinnessSixNations #SCOvIRE pic.twitter.com/Baz4pYi55k
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) February 28, 2023
Ireland Looking to Take Form into World Cup
First and foremost, Ireland will be looking to get the 2023 Six Nations Championship sewn up, and picking up the Grand Slam would be a great bonus. After that, they will be looking to take their terrific form into the 2023 Rugby World Cup, which takes place in France from September to October this year.
Alongside the likes of New Zealand and South Africa, Ireland will be among the favorites to go the distance on French soil. They are hoping to get past the quarter-finals for the first time ever. Ireland have been losing quarter-finalists on seven occasions, including in the last World Cup back in 2019.
2023 is shaping up to be a memorable year for Irish rugby. Farrell may have huge connections with England, but his full focus is on Six Nations success ahead of the World Cup later in the year.
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