After following up their comfortable round one victory over Italy with a rare win in Dublin, France are now being generally quoted at 5/2 to beat everyone before them.
Les Bleus are strongly fancied to win their next assignment at home to Scotland (2/9), on 28 February, before travelling to Twickenham a fortnight later for the latest instalment of ‘Le Crunch’.
France conclude their fixtures in Paris on 20 March with what could be a Grand Slam-deciding match against current joint leaders Wales.
Having played against 14-man opponents in their opening two wins, against Ireland (21-16) and Scotland (25-24), some people are saying Wales are only three red cards away from claiming another Grand Slam.
The stats look promising for them, too. Wales’ conversion rate after winning the first two games of a Championship is very good.
On the five occasions that they have achieved this feat since 2005, they have secured four Grand Slams (2005, 2008, 2012 and 2019).
Wales are 12/5 underdogs to beat England in Cardiff in Round 3 but if they can get through that test, the odds on them winning the Grand Slam will come tumbling down from the current price of 10/1.
A win over England would leave them well placed to challenge for another Grand Slam as winless Italy lie in wait in Round 4. Then it is off to France for what could be a thrilling conclusion to the tournament.
