*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.
Friday 20:00 – FRANCE V SCOTLAND
BBC1/Virgin Media 1
Friday’s match has all the makings of a classic with France having the Championship in their sights. After their last-gasp victory over Wales on Saturday night, the French require a big win here with a bonus point and 21-point margin of victory required to come out on top of the final standings. A tough task no doubt but this relatively new French team have shown their class over the last couple of years and will be full of confidence heading into this. Scotland, despite not having anything to play for in terms of overall honours, will be looking to build on a couple of impressive performances in recent weeks with several individuals looking to stake a claim for this summer’s Lions Tour.
While I’ve no doubt France are well capable of scoring the four tries needed to ensure the needed bonus point, a 21-point difference on the scoreboard is certainly a tall order. However, I was impressed by the resilience and never-say-die attitude France showed last week and they will give this their best shot. I think they could just have enough to get the job done.
France to win on Second-half H’cap (-7)
While I see this being tight early on, France know exactly what’s at stake and will be pushing this right to the last. Scotland, meanwhile, have slipped away somewhat in the latter parts of matches when falling to both Wales and Ireland. If Scotland fall behind on the scoreboard, things may begin to open up for France here.
As I touched on above, I think France have just enough to win by the 21 points required to claim the Championship. I don’t see them running riot however and as such think there could be some value for them to win by a margin of 21-30 points.
Anytime Tryscorer – Brice Dulin
France’s hero last time out has been one of the standout performers in this year’s Championship and is constantly looking to be involved when France are on the attack. He already has two tries to his name and I’m backing him to add to that this time out.
SATURDAY 17:00 – LEINSTER V MUNSTER
Eir Sport1/TG4
We have now known who would be contesting this year’s Grand Final for a number of weeks with both sides comfortably topping their respective Conferences. However, with the expected return of a host of internationals this weekend, excitement has been building all week and we look sure to be in store for an exciting affair.
Leinster have had the edge over their provincial rivals in recent years, and while I see this being tight, I see them having too much for Munster with the added benefit of having home comforts at the RDS.
Leinster to win by 1-12 points
Of the last four meetings between these sides, Leinster have come out on top by a dozen points or less. While they are clear favourites to win, I think there could be some real value for them to win by 1-12 points against a Munster team who won’t go down without a fight.
Anytime Tryscorer – Jordan Larmour
Having not featured as much as he would have hoped for in this year’s Six Nations, Larmour is expected to come straight back into a Leinster team and will be keen to impress in a fixture in which he has a good try-scoring record.
*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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