Reigning Six Nations champions France are proving friendless in the betting on the eve of the tournament’s opening match.

Sky Bet are a top price 13/5 about the French defending the title, and it is 15/8 favourites England and Wales (5/1) who are coming in for most support in the run-up to the annual championship.

Despite losing their last three trips to Cardiff, England have also been well backed to win their opener at the Millennium Stadium and have been cut to 4/7 (from 4/6) on the match result market. Patriotic punting has also seen the handicap line moved from -2 England to -3.

This year’s championship promises to be the most open in years and one of the most popular pre-tournament bets has been for no team to win the Grand Slam. Sky Bet have cut the odds of no nation winning all five of their matches to 4/7 from 4/6.

Sky Bet’s rugby union compiler Simon McMinn said: “On their day, France can beat any side but with rumours of disharmony in the camp and tough trips to Ireland and England, a repeat of last year’s Grand Slam looks highly unlikely. We are happy to take them on at a top price of 13/5.”

Should England prevail on Friday in front of a hostile Cardiff crowd, they will be strongly fancied to win the Championship, ahead of home matches against Italy, France and Scotland. Sky Bet make Martin Johnson’s men 5/1 to achieve the Grand Slam, 13/8 to get four wins and 6/4 only to suffer two defeats.

Six Nations Winner 2011
England 7/4 France 13/5
Ireland 3/1 Wales 5/1
Scotland 14/1 Italy 250/1

Grand Slam Winner 2011
England 5/1 France 13/2
Ireland 8/1 Wales 14/1
Scotland 66/1 Italy 1000/1
No Winner 4/7

England Six Nations Specials 2011
0 Wins 250/1 Exactly 1 Win 50/1
Exactly 2 Wins 11/2 Exactly 3 Wins 6/4
Exactly 4 Wins 13/8 Exactly 5 Wins 5/1
 

Ruby betting news and rugby trading jobs from Hyperion.