Ladbrokes have been forced to shorten Wales' odds on them making a successful start to the defence of their Six Nations crown.

The reigning champions are now 8/15 from a first show of 4/6 against Scotland at Murrayfield.

And despite Warren Gatland's fears that the trip north could be a potential banana skin punters are confident of a Welsh triumph.

Ladbrokes spokesman Robin Hutchison said: "We are laying France in Dublin, but the majority of the cash is for the Welsh at Murrayfield.

"We're happy to take on the French as we feel the Irish may have their measure, but we're taking no chances with the reigning champions."

In contrast to Wales, the firm have yet to take much money on England's opener against Italy at Twickenham.

"It could be that punters are waiting to see what the pitch is like in the morning and whether or not it will be a mudbath, or it could be that they're fed up of losing money on them."

Andy Goode is 4/11 to score more points than Andrea Marcato at Twickenham, with Stephen Jones 8/11 to outpoint Phil Godman in Edinburgh.

Ladbrokes have already priced up every match in the tournament and are betting to 106% rather than their normal percentage of 111%.

LATEST BETTING

Home Draw Away

England v Italy 1/9 25/1 6/1
Ireland v France 4/6 22/1 11/8
Scotland v Wales 7/4 22/1 8/15

Total Tries

England v Italy

8/13 Over (+2.5)
6/5 Under (+2.5)

Ireland v France

10/11 Over (+3.5)
4/5 Under (+3.5)

Scotland v Wales

10/11 Over (+0.5)
4/5 Under (+0.5)

Half-time match betting

1/5 England
7/2 Italy
16/1 Draw

4/5 Ireland
11/10 France
12/1 Draw

5/4 Scotland
4/6 Wales
14/1 Draw

To score the most points

4/11 Andy Goode
9/4 Andrea Marcato
12/1 Tie

8/13 Ronan O'Gara
12/1 Tie
11/8 Lionel Beauxis

8/11 Stephen Jones
5/4 Phil Godman
10/1 Tie

Individual points

Andrea Marcato

5/6 Over 7.5
5/6 Under 7.5

Andy Goode

4/5 Over 13.5
10/11 Under 13.5

Ronan O'Gara

11/10 Over 11.5
4/6 Under 11.5

Lionel Beauxis

10/11 Over 8.5
4/5 Under 8.5

Phil Godman

4/6 Over 8.5
11/10 Under 8.5

Stephen Jones

5/6 Over 10.5
5/6 Under 10.5

Total Points

England v Italy

10/11 Over (+38.5)
4/5 Under (+38.5)

Ireland v France

10/11 Over (+37.5)
4/5 Under (+37.5)

Scotland v France

5/6 Over (+37.5)
5/6 Under (+37.5)

Race to ten points

1/4 England
11/4 Italy

4/6 Ireland
11/10 France

11/10 Scotland
4/6 Wales

First team to score

1/2 England
6/4 Italy

4/5 Ireland
10/11 France

10/11 Scotland
4/5 Wales

First team to score a Try

2/5 England
15/8 Italy
16/1 No tryscorer

5/6 Ireland
Evs France
14/1 No tryscorer

5/4 Scotland
4/6 Wales
12/1 No tryscorer
 

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