After an intriguing opening round in this year's Six Nations, it's advantage France, Ireland and England.

At Croke Park Ireland huffed and puffed their way to a 29-11 victory over an Italian side that still seem to lack the self belief needed to compete at this level.

The win sets up the chance of the Irish matching last year's Grand Slam winning tournament but the performances will have to improve if they are to achieve this. Paris this weekend will provide a much sterner test for Brian O’Driscoll and his men.

France, the favourites in the Six Nations betting, were victorious in a one sided match at Murryfield, winning 18-9 against a Scotland team who seem unsure as to how to score a try. Once again the boot of Chris Paterson, winning his 99th cap, was relied on to gain some pride. Whenever a Scottish player breaks the line and has a chance at scoring they seem overcome with indecision and usually fall over their own feet. Until they start finishing off moves it seems as though the Tartan Army will have another year fighting Italy for who gets the wooden spoon.

In what some may view as an upset at Twickenham, England profited from a moment of madness from Alun Wyn Jones. When he stuck out one of his long legs and cynically tripped Dylan Hartley he was promptly sin binned and this gave England the initiative. In the five minutes either side of half time England had the player advantage they scored 17 unanswered points, which proved too much for the men from the valleys. Although they closed the gap to just three points in the closing stages, the English took advantage of the Welsh onslaught and James Haskell went over for his second try of the match.

With England going to Italy full of confidence, Wales looking to bounce back against the blunt Scots and the two favourites France and Ireland doing battle in round two, this could be the most open championship for a few years, something that is reflected in the rugby union betting odds.