Not only have Irish wings Andrew Trimble and Shane Horgan been ruled out of their opening match against Italy alongside several other players including Jerry Flannery and John Hayes but so too has No.8 Jamie Heaslip and 2010 Six Nations Player of the Tournament Tommy Bowe.

These injuries, coupled with the absence of Irelands two regular fullbacks, Rob Kearney and Geordan Murphy, for the entire tournament mean that Ireland will have to rely on several unfamiliar faces if they are to regain the title they last won in 2009.

However, despite the latest injury worries and third favourite tag of 11/4 to win the Championship with Paddy Power, punters are remaining upbeat about Ireland’s chances. They are boosted by the superb performances from Leinster and in particular the rise of several young players such as Sean O'Brien and Mike Ross, both of whom look certainties to make their Six Nations debuts in Rome.

Ireland are an attractive 11/4 to capture their fourth triple crown in six years and they look a good bet seeing as Wales have not won any of their past 8 tests and England have not won on Irish shores since before England were world cup champions in 2003. They're 13/2 to repeat 2009s heroics and complete the Grand Slam.

Ireland are 1/10 to win their first match against Italy and the fact Ireland will take on the two favourites for the tournament, both England and France, in the new Aviva stadium is being seen as a big advantage to the boys in green. The lads also have a long break between their second and third Six Nations games. They’ll not be meeting Scotland at Murrayfield until Sunday 27 February.

Sharon McHugh, spokesperson for Paddy Power told Bettingpro: "There’s no doubt about it Ireland face an uphill struggle in this year’s Six Nations with an unprecedented number of injured players but the break after the second game could give them the time they need to regroup.

"Punters aren’t giving up on them yet!"

Six Nations Outright Betting:
9/5 England
9/4 France
11/4 Ireland
7/1 Wales
14/1 Scotland
250 Italy