Ireland will successfully defend their Six Nations title, but be pushed close by both England and Wales, according to the bookies.

The Irish have unsurprisingly been given 5/6 odds to win the tournament after a hugely impressive 2018. The defending champions are 9/4 to win the Grand Slam, with home fixtures against both England and France.

England, who showed signs of a revival by beating South Africa and Australia in November after a disappointing start to 2018, are next best at 7/2, while Wales are priced at 9/2.

Twenty-two-year-old Ireland wing Jacob Stockdale, who was named the 2018 Player of the Championship, has been backed at 4/1 to finish as this season’s top try-scorer.

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