This 6/1 play could spell double trouble for Paddy in Japan

Canada v Italy, Thursday, 08.45

Canada and Italy have met twice at the Rugby World Cup, with Italy winning both encounters. Four years ago, they met at Elland Road in Leeds with the Azzurri emerging victorious 23-18. This tie sees Italy (14th) taking on the Maple Leafs (22nd) and there isn’t going to be much between them.

Of their previous nine encounters with Canada, Italy have lost two and won seven, including each of their last six. However, the ‘lesser’ teams have stayed with the favourites – more than we thought they would at this World Cup. Yes Fiji we’re looking at you.

Any side with DTH Van der Merwe in it is going to threaten the line. The South Africa-born wrecking ball enters RWC 2019 with six tries in World Cups for Canada, the most for the nation. Adding to that fact is, if the Glasgow Warrior winger crosses against Italy, he will join Jonah Lomu as the only player to score a try in five consecutive World Cup matches.

With DTH on the wing, Canada are no mugs and with a handicap of +19, we just cannot see beyond that.

Verdict: Canada to win +19 @ Evs

England v USA, Thurs, 11.45am 

With just a four day turnaround between games, England head coach Eddie Jones has made 10 changes to face the US of A, on Thursday morning 11.45.

Only Joe Marler, Tom Curry, Billy Vunipola, George Ford, and Elliot Daly remain from the 15 who started against Tonga on Sunday. England’s 35-3 win was best described as scrappy and had an a withered look about it from the Red Roses. Eddie Jones won’t be happy with the nature of the win, but a win is a win and the now third favourites to land the William Webb Ellis trophy will be looking to put down a marker against the USA.

The stars and stripes are currently ranked 13th in the World and will be an interesting side to see at this World Cup. Rugby is growing in the US, they even have their own professional league now and with eight players in the match-day 23 attached to English clubs, this could very well be tighter than the -33 handicap that is there at the moment.

Seeing as we are going for one bet from this game, I have decided to go with a man in form.

USA’s Joe Taufete’e has scored 20 tries in 23 appearances for the Eagles, including 18 in 16 starts. All the teams at this Rugby World Cup, apart from Fiji, Tonga and Uruguay, score most of their tries from line-outs.

So, with Taufete’e on a scoring run, while also wearing number two for the eagles, he can land the second leg of the double.

Verdict: Joe Taufete’e to score a try in 80 mins @ 5/2.

*Prices correct at time of publishing and the double pays 6/1 at the prices quoted.