*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
SATURDAY 2.15pm: ITALY V WALES
ITV1/Virgin Media 1
Wales -11.5 (1st half handicap betting)
Remarkably, having been written off by almost all before a ball had been kicked, Wales find themselves in with a real chance of winning the Championship and are just two wins away from a Grand Slam.
They will be heading to Rome full of confidence and looking to put up a score against the Italians, with the potential for points difference to be to deciding factor in who comes out top of the table. I’m expecting Wales to be quick out of the blocks and they will be hoping to put this one to bed early with a view to maybe taking off one or two of their big names before all eyes turn to next week’s decider against the French.
Josh Adams to score two or more tries
Wales’ Number 11 made a try-scoring return last time out and will be purring at the prospect of coming up against an out-of-sorts Italian defence. Adams has touched down 15 times already in just 30 appearances for Wales, including a hat-trick in this fixture last year, and will fancy his chances of adding to that tally this weekend.
SATURDAY 4.45pm: ENGLAND V FRANCE
ITV1/Virgin Media 1
Eddie Jones’ troops will be wounded following losses to both Scotland and Wales already and will no doubt be keen to avenge those defeats as they host the French at Twickenham. France have had their own well-documented off the field issues over the past couple of weeks and it remains to be seen just how much their preparation for this fixture has been affected.
To add to that, they are winless at Twickenham since 2005 and for all the flair and excitement they bring, it remains to be seen how they will cope should England turn this one into an arm-wrestle on the ground, as expected. Many have this one too close to call, but I am just siding with England here.
England to win by 1-12pts inclusive
Of the last eight meetings between England and France, seven have been decided by less than a dozen points with the winner rarely enjoying a comfortable ride. ‘Le Crunch’ has been a traditionally tight affair with both sides desperate to avoid defeat against their bitter rivals. If history tells us anything, this will be close once again.
SATURDAY 3pm: SCOTLAND v IRELAND
BBC1/Virgin Media 1
Sunday sees Ireland travel to Murrayfield with a great recent record against their opponents having won nine of the last ten encounters, including the last five. Having finally got off the mark against Italy, Ireland will be hoping to build on that win last time out as they look to finish the last couple of weeks of the Championship on a high.
Scotland, meanwhile, following defeat to Wales and the postponement of their fixture against France, have lost some of the momentum built from that opening-day triumph at Twickenham. Scotland will make things tough no doubt, but a full-strength Ireland should have too much across the board. It won’t be pretty, but I’m expecting Ireland to come away with victory.
Not since 2018 has this match-up seen more than four tries with recent displays doing little to suggest we are in for a try fest this time out. There was just the one try as Scotland came out on top over England, while scores were also at a premium in Ireland’s opening two fixtures against France and Wales.
This one will more than likely come down to which Number 10 is on form from the kicking tee. Don’t expect to see the whitewash being breached on too many occasions here.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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