Six Nations Fixtures 2026: England and Ireland on the Line as Scotland Face No Excuses in Cardiff
Six Nations Fixtures 2026 heat up this weekend as recent coverage places England and Ireland campaigns under pressure and declares there should be no excuses for Scotland in Cardiff. A Fantasy Rugby Round Three preview covering 21/02/2026–22/02/2026 has been issued, and a round of betting tips for England vs Ireland and Wales vs Scotland has been published, offering specific handicap and try-scoring recommendations ahead of Saturday's action.
Six Nations Fixtures 2026: Betting and team lines
Betting commentary for the weekend singles out Wales vs Scotland and England vs Ireland as key fixtures. One recommended stake for the Wales–Scotland match is 2 points on Scotland to cover a -24 handicap at 15/8. There is also a 2-point selection backing a Blair Kinghorn try at 2/1. Another angle put forward is backing Scotland to win by 25 points or more, reflecting confidence in a large-margin outcome. For the Ireland fixture, a 3-point play on Ireland (+11) to win on the handicap at evens is listed among suggested lines.
The columnist who compiled these tips noted a strong recent calling form, saying all three matches were picked correctly last weekend and that the same approach informs this weekend's selections. Those betting lines will be watched closely as team sheets and final conditions emerge before kickoff.
Contextual team notes feed into the betting rationale. Scotland's post–Calcutta Cup pattern during the referenced coaching era shows a tendency to follow a morale-boosting victory over England with a subsequent loss, occurring in all but one of the last nine such winning years. That inconsistency sits alongside more positive traits: Scotland are often fast starters, especially against Wales, which supports first-half handicap plays as well as full-match lines.
Fantasy Rugby: Round Three Preview and selection implications
The Fantasy Rugby Round Three preview covers fixtures on 21/02/2026–22/02/2026 and will influence captaincy and selection choices for managers. Team changes highlighted in match coverage include Wales head coach Steve Tandy bringing in Gabe Hamer-Webb for a debut on the wing, with Ellis Mee omitted. Scotland’s back three is noted to feature Duhan van der Merwe alongside Blair Kinghorn and Kyle Steyn, with Kinghorn identified as a potential try-scorer and van der Merwe described as a significant physical threat. Those personnel notes provide concrete inputs for fantasy lineups.
Historical match patterns are also relevant for fantasy strategy. Recent meetings between Wales and Scotland have alternated between high-scoring, frenetic encounters and more sedate affairs. In 2024, Scotland nearly squandered a 27–0 lead before prevailing in Wales for the first time in 22 years. A subsequent meeting produced a similar script, with Scotland ultimately winning 34–29. By contrast, an earlier run of eight clashes produced fewer than 50 points apiece. Fantasy managers should therefore weigh upside from attacking players against the risk of a tighter, lower-scoring contest.
Coaching and defensive issues in the Welsh camp are noted as a factor; Wales are described as struggling defensively and in need of a full-time defence coach. That dynamic underpins both betting and fantasy considerations for opponents targeting Wales this weekend. The Wales–Scotland game is also expected to be played under a closed roof at the Principality Stadium, a detail that shapes expectations about conditions and playing style.
What happens this weekend will have immediate consequences: England and Ireland campaigns are described as being on the line, while Scotland’s trip to Cardiff is framed as a must-perform outing with no excuses. Betting lines and fantasy guidance are already circulating, but final team announcements and match-day conditions will determine how those recommendations play out. Recent updates indicate these details may evolve as teams confirm sides ahead of kickoffs; readers should treat selections as provisional until lineups are official.
