Rugby Predictions Today

Our TopBets, rugby experts will provide you with the latest rugby predictions on rugby from across the globe. The emphasis will be on the major leagues like the United Rugby Championship (URC), Super Rugby and of course our very own local Currie Cup. All the major international tournaments such as the Rugby Championships and the Six Nations will also be covered with our team providing rugby betting tips. You can be assured all the big rugby this weekend will be previewed on this page.

Rugby Predictions for SATURDAY 07 February 2026

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Latest Betway Rugby odds 

1X2 Tips For Rugby Fixtures Today

Italy vs Scotland 

Tip 1: Italy to win 

Reason for the tip:Italy welcome Scotland in this opening round Six Nations fixture that pits growing ambition against proven pedigree. The Azzurri pack looks combative, with Danilo Fischetti and Simone Ferrari anchoring the scrum and the Cannone brothers providing power and edge in the tight exchanges. Michele Lamaro’s work rate at blindside will be vital in slowing Scotland’s breakdown ball, while Paolo Garbisi controls proceedings at fly-half with his tactical kicking and attacking vision. In the backs, the Brex–Menoncello midfield offers balance, combining defensive steel with line-breaking ability, and Louis Lynagh brings genuine pace on the wing.

Scotland, though, arrive with a side packed with experience and attacking threat. The front row of Schoeman, Ashman and Zander Fagerson is formidable, while the second-row pairing of Cummings and Gilchrist brings line-out security and physicality. The back row of Matt Fagerson, Rory Darge and Jack Dempsey is well balanced and dangerous in open play. Finn Russell pulls the strings at ten, supported by a powerful centre pairing in Tuipulotu and Huw Jones, capable of breaking Italy’s defensive line. Out wide, Steyn and Jordan offer finishing quality. Gregor Townsends decision to omit his three best attackers in Duhan van der Merwe, Darcy Graham and Blair Kinghorn will come to bite him therefore I predict an upset home win. 

Kobe Steelers vs Blue Revs

Tip 2: Steelers to win 

Reason for the tip:.Kobelco Kobe Steelers host Shizuoka Blue Revs in a heavyweight League One clash loaded with international star power. The Steelers’ pack is formidable, with Brodie Retallick and George Cowley-Tuioti bringing line-out authority and physical edge, while Ardie Savea at openside is the game-changer, capable of swinging momentum with his breakdown work and explosive carries. Despite four backline changes, Kobe still look well balanced, with Gatland stepping in at fly-half and Lienert-Brown’s shift opening space for a dynamic midfield rotation.

Shizuoka, however, arrive with one of the most dangerous backlines in the competition. The midfield pairing of Charles Piutau and Semi Radradra offers a rare mix of power, footwork and offloading ability, and they will test Kobe’s defensive organisation relentlessly. Up front, the Blue Revs are industrious rather than dominant, relying on Tupou and Tongatama to provide go-forward and quick ball for Iemura to play flat and fast. Their back three is sharp on the counter and well drilled in broken play. The contest likely hinges on the breakdown and set piece. If Kobe can slow Shizuoka’s ball and impose themselves physically through Savea and Retallick, they should control territory and tempo. Shizuoka’s flair keeps them dangerous, but Kobe’s power and experience give them the edge.

France U20 vs Ireland U20

Tip 3: France to win

Reason for the tip:France U20 host Ireland U20 in a mouth-watering clash between two of the strongest age-grade systems in world rugby. The French pack looks powerful and athletic, with Frisach and Pargade anchoring the scrum and a dynamic back row led by Martin-Bonnard and Keletaona built to dominate collisions and win quick ball. At halfback, Couillaud and Louis Keletaona give France tempo and creativity, while the midfield of Valentino and Drault offers a blend of size and distribution. Out wide, Cazemajou and Rates provide pace and finishing threat.

Ireland U20 arrive with their trademark organisation and work ethic. The tight five is industrious rather than flashy, but effective at winning clean set-piece ball. In the loose, Neill and Hayes are strong at the breakdown, and O’Connell brings control from the base of the scrum. Tom Wood at fly-half will look to play territory and keep Ireland in the right areas, with O’Leary and O’Sullivan tasked with shutting down France’s midfield momentum. Ireland’s back three is well drilled and dangerous on turnover ball. The match should be intense and fast-paced, with France looking to stretch Ireland through power and offloading, while Ireland aim to slow the game and squeeze errors. If France can maintain discipline and accuracy, their physical edge should prove decisive.

Black Rams vs Wild Knights

Tip 4: Wild Knights to win

Reason for the tip: Gloucester welcome RC Toulon in a heavyweight Champions Cup showdown that brings together the grit of the PREM and Top 14 star power. The hosts are led by Wales scrum-half Tomos Williams, whose tempo and decision-making will be crucial behind a forward pack built around experience and work rate. Lewis Ludlow and Jack Clement headline a combative back row while Matias Alemanno adds physical presence and lineout authority in the second row. In the backs, Seb Atkinson and Will Butler offer creativity and defensive solidity with Josh Hathaway and Jack Cotgreave providing pace out wBlackRams Tokyo face a daunting assignment against the Wild Knights, a side stacked with quality and cohesion. The Rams have made three changes to their starting XV, with experience still running through the spine thanks to TJ Perenara at scrum-half and Isaia Lucas providing attacking spark from the back. Their back row, led by Waqabaca and McCurran, will need to be relentless at the breakdown to disrupt Wild Knights’ rhythm, while Nakakusu’s composure at fly-half is key to keeping them competitive.

Wild Knights, however, look formidable across the park. The pack is powerful and mobile, with Cornelsen commanding the line-out and a well-balanced loose trio in Gunter, Boshier and Afu Kaipouli capable of dominating contact. At halfback, Hagihara and Tomoki Yamasawa offer pace and creativity, and the backline is packed with strike power. Marika Koroibete on the wing is a constant threat, supported by the physical midfield pairing of Vince Aso and Hagi Taniyama. With Kotaro Yamasawa at fullback, the Wild Knights are dangerous on counter-attack and clinical in the red zone. The power and class of the visitors will see them to a comfortable victory.

Rugby Handicap Betting

Handicap Betting Tips for Today

England vs Wales: Home team (-26.5)

Reason for tip: England and Wales renew their fierce rivalry in the opening round of the 2026 Six Nations The home teams selection leans heavily on power and experience up front, with Ellis Genge setting the tone and a dynamic back row of Underhill and Ben Earl built for gain-line dominance and breakdown pressure. Alex Mitchell’s tempo at scrum-half suits England’s direct approach, while George Ford’s calm game management and tactical kicking will be central to controlling territory. Out wide, Henry Arundell and Tommy Roebuck offer pace and finishing, with Freddie Steward providing security under the high ball.

Wales arrive with a side blending youth and resilience. Dewi Lake leads from the front at hooker, supported by the familiar engine of Beard and Jenkins in the second row. Aaron Wainwright remains Wales’ key carrier, while Tom Williams and Dan Edwards will look to inject speed and ambition into their attack. The return of Louis Rees-Zammit at fullback gives Wales a genuine strike threat, especially on counter-attack and Josh Adams’ experience on the wing is invaluable in tight Test matches. England are the clear favourites and with a stacked bench that includes Henry Pollock and Marcus Smith expect the home side to run away with the victory and cover the -26.5 handicap, 

Toyota Verblitz vs Canon Eagles: Away team (+6.5)

Reason for tip: Toyota Verblitz face a major test against the Canon Eagles after making a striking 11 changes to their starting XV, a move that adds intrigue but also uncertainty. Verblitz still retains quality, especially in the loose forwards where Kazuki Himeno’s shift and leadership will be crucial, while Aaron Smith’s experience at scrum-half remains the heartbeat of the side. Out wide, Mark Tele’a’s replacement reduces explosive finishing power, placing more responsibility on the midfield pairing to generate momentum. With changes across the tight five and key backline positions, early cohesion and discipline will be critical for Verblitz.

Canon Eagles arrive with a far more settled and physically imposing lineup. The pack looks well balanced, with Liam Moli and Craig Daly providing muscle and line-out presence, while Nasamila and Saumaki offer strong ball-carrying threats from the back row. The Eagles’ biggest strength lies in their midfield, where Levi Aumua and Jesse Kriel form a powerful, experienced centre pairing capable of denting even organised defensive systems. Their back three is quick and opportunistic, and they will look to capitalise on any defensive disconnects caused by Verblitz’s reshuffle. The continuity in selection of the visitors makes me predict an away win therefore I am backing the Eagles to cover the +6.5 handicap.

Rugby fixtures this weekend

Accumulator of the Day 

• Italy vs Scotland- Home win
• England vs Wales- Home win
• France U20 vs Ireland U20-Home win
• Kobe Steelers vs Blue Revs-Home win
• Black Rams vs Wild Knights-Away win
• Spears Kubota vs D-Rocks- Home win

Rugby Results Yesterday

• Leicester Tigers vs Newcastle- Home win✅
• Ireland XV vs England A- Home win✅

Rugby tomorrow

Understanding Rugby Betting 

It is crucial that players understand the different types of rugby betting. If a player places a wager on a handicap bet with fully understanding it, he could think they won the bet but instead they lost the bet as they did not understand how it works. Our rugby predictions will give you the option of the three way bet or the handicap betting as our previews will focus on this.

Different types of Rugby bets 

Match Winner

The most self-explanatory of bets to take on a rugby match. This is the most common and oldest type of rugby bet in which you select Team A or Team B to win. The odds on this type of bet may be low especially if your team is the favourite.

Draw No Bet

The draw is quite rare in Rugby Union, but it does happen from time to time. If you’re worried about the draw messing up your bet then take a Draw No Bet market. Your bet will be refunded if the match result ends in a draw.

Handicap Betting

The most popular bets on rugby are handicap bets. This is often where some of the best value is to be found. The handicap is an advantage that bookmakers give one team to make the game more balanced. The team given the positive handicap can win, draw or lose the game by less than the handicap to cover the bet and win. The team with the negative handicap must win the match by more than the points set out in the handicap to win their bet.

Total points over/under

The over/under betting market involves predicting whether the total number of points scored in a match will be above or lower than a certain predetermined number. For instance, if you bet on the over/under 50 points market and you bet on under, the combined score of the two teams shouldn’t exceed 50.

First Try Scorer

Rugby fans know the excitement that comes when a player breaks through the defence to score the first try. Betting on the first-try scorer is about predicting which player from either team will cross the try line first. This bet type carries higher odds as it’s challenging to predict, making potential payouts more lucrative.

Anytime Try Scorer

Less specific than the first-try scorer bet, the anytime try scorer wager involves picking a player you believe will score a try at any point during the match. The odds are typically lower than for the first-try scorer but offer a better chance of a payout.

FAQs

1 How long is a game of rugby?

A game of rugby is 80 minutes

2. How many players are there on a rugby team?

There are 15 players a side except in Rugby 7s where there are 5 players a side.

3. Where to watch rugby live?

Most of the rugby matches in South Africa can be watched live on Supersport. Betting sites like Betway and WSB offer live streaming on selected matches.

4. How to stream live rugby in South Africa for free?

Rugby Pass offers free streaming of selected matches.