Ireland to be denied in bid for their Triple Crown

WALES V FRANCE, Friday 21st February, 20:00, BBC 1

The home side are the 4/6 (GENERAL) favourites for the game despite a comprehensive defeat by Ireland in week two and only recording a narrow victory over Italy in the opening week. The recent head to head record favours Wales who have won the last two fixtures (16-6 in Cardiff 2012 and 16-9 in Paris in 2013). That being said the way the Welsh have been playing this season means that this I can not recommend them at such a short price.

France have looked good in their two games beating England by two points and then beating Italy by twenty the following week. The visitors have won seven of the last ten between the pair and confidence will be high. If you fancy the French to go 3-0 then you can back them at 7/5 (888 SPORT/unibet) while they receive 2/3 points on the handicap markets.

The best bet comes in the tryscorer market where I like the look of Liam Williams to get among the tries from the left wing as he is a scoring machine for Scarlets. He can take his chances from left wing against a France side who have conceded at least one try in each of their two games so far.

RECOMMENDATION: L Williams anytime tryscorer, 4/1 (bet365/SPREADEX)

ITALY V SCOTLAND, Saturday 22nd February, 13:30, BBC 1

After two weeks and two defeats each it is clear that the battle between Italy and Scotland will be the one that decides the fate of the dreaded wooden spoon with bookmakers making the home team Italy the 4/6 (GENERAL) favourites. Argentina and Fiji have both been recent victims in Rome and the Scots have offered few signs to suggest that they have enough about them to record a victory. That being said 4/6 looks much too short for me to be siding with Italy though Scotland have won just one of their last seven visits to Rome though so I will not be rushing to back them either at 6/4 (GENERAL).

In the last four meetings between the pair the margin of defeat has been no greater than seven. So this is likely to be a close enocunter whatever way the result falls so take the winning margin of the game to be 1-10 points for both teams to return a little profit.

RECOMMENDATION: Italy to win by 1-10 points, 13/8 (ladbrokes/william hill)
Scotland to win by 1-10 points, 23/10 (paddy Power)

ENGLAND V IRELAND, Saturday 22nd February, 16:00, BBC 1

Ireland head to Twickenham hunting for the Triple crown following victories over Scotland and Wales in the opening two weeks. The English though are the 8/13 (paddy Power/william hill) favourites as they have won the last three meetings between these sides and were impressive in their comprehensive victory over Scotland in week two while they should have beat France in week 1. If you fancy the Irish then you can back them at 7/4 (betfred/SPREADEX) while the handicap margin is set at four with most firms.

I like the English here though the odds also reflect this and as such it is a game I would recommend looking to the side markets in. The bet which appeals most is Luther Burrell or Mike Brown in the first tryscorer market with betfred who are offering a promotion where if your player scores first and then again later they will double the odds of your winning bet. This seems good going on two players who have netted in both England games so far.

RECOMMENDATION: Mike Burrell first tryscorer in game, best price, betfred
Luther Brown first tryscorer in game, best price, betfred

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21/02/2014     © Frixo 2024