Six Nations 2018 latest odds: England favourites but punters backing surprise package

THE SIX NATIONS will get underway on February 3 with England as familiar favourites but it is Scotland who have received the backing of plenty of punters.

By James Gray

PUBLISHED: 11:37, Fri, Feb 2, 2018 | UPDATED: 11:42, Fri, Feb 2, 2018

Six Nations odds featuring Stuart Hogg's Scotland GETTY

Stuart Hogg and Scotland have been given plenty of backing ahead of the Six Nations

England are defending champions and attempting to become the first team in Six Nations history to win three titles on the bounce.

They came within one game of even achieving back-to-back Grand Slams last year until Ireland spoiled the party with a 13-9 win over the champions in Dublin.

But they remain 21/20 favourites with Betfair to take the trophy once again, although a Grand Slam looks unlikely at 5/2.

However, Scotland have been receiving plenty of backing thanks to their impressive form in last year’s tournament as well as the autumn internationals.

The Scots finished as second-top try-scorers in the 2017 Six Nations with 14, while full-back Stuart Hogg was named player of the tournament.

And at the end of the year they thrashed Australia 53-24, scoring eight tries - and just a week after narrowly losing to the All Blacks.

And more than 25 per cent of bets on the Six Nations winners have gone on Scotland with punters tempted by the 11/1 price-tag for a side who were joint runners-up last year but finished fourth on points difference.