England (4/13) could benefit from a new coach bounce as Steve Borthwick takes charge for the first time in their Six Nations opener against Scotland (10/3) at Twickenham on Saturday.
The hosts are nine-point favourites on the spread as they take on a Scotland side who have endured patchy form of late.
Both sides have won just twice in their last five games, though England, who produced a sensational comeback to draw 25-25 with New Zealand in the Autumn Nations Series, have since parted ways with head coach Eddie Jones.
Under Borthwick's guidance, players will be eager to impress but will take time to adjust, so although a thrashing of Scotland is unlikely, an England victory against weaker, out-of-form opponents is conceivable.
Betting just above the spread line and backing England with a –10-point handicap (1/1) could be good value, as could an 11-15-point winning margin (9/2) for the home side.
Roared on by a Twickenham crowd, England starting fast and growing in confidence to take control of proceedings is another viable prediction, so a punt on them to win both halves (5/4) may be a smart angle.
Alex Dombrandt, who will be keen to hold down the England number eight shirt, is an eye-catching 12/1 for first try-scorer, but it's hard to overlook wingers Max Malins (17/2) and Ollie Hassell-Collins (17/2) given their Premiership form.
In another Six Nations opener on Saturday, Wales (5/2) host Ireland (5/11) in Cardiff as they too look to benefit from a fresh head coach in Warren Gatland, who returns to the role after departing in 2019.
Though the Principality Stadium is a tough place to visit, and Wales have Gatland back at the helm, it's hard to look past the world's top-ranked team in Ireland.
Andy Farrell's side were imperious during the Autumn Nations Series as they beat New Zealand, South Africa, Fiji and Australia while Wales picked up only a solitary win.
That being said, a seven-point backing for Ireland on the spread is perhaps underestimating their strength and backing the visitors with a larger handicap could be a prosperous option. A –10 handicap pays out at 13/10 while for the more ambitious punters, a –15 handicap stands at 11/5.
Ireland to win both halves (7/4) is another viable choice, as is an Ireland winning margin of 11-20 points (11/4).
When it comes to first try-scorers, Ireland wingers Mack Hansen and James Lowe look incredible value at 17/2, as does hooker Dan Sheehan (9/1) given the power of their maul.
Italy (14/1) host France (1/14) on Sunday in the other Six Nations opener and given the visitors' overwhelming 21-point backing on the spread, there seems to be little value in betting on a hefty away win.
Italy are often the whipping boys of the Six Nations, but they have shown glimpses of improvement in recent times, beating Wales in last season's competition and overcoming Australia in the Autumn Nations Series.
A win for them against France is hugely improbable, but they could put up a fight on home turf – a +16 handicap (7/4) bet on them could be worth exploring, as could a France winning margin of just 11-20 points (5/2).
