Rob Howley’s Wales and Joe Schmidt’s Ireland get the fourth round of RBS Six Nations fixtures underway this weekend, as the pair square off at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Friday night.
Then on Saturday, Italy host France in the early kick off, before Eddie Jones’ England welcome Vern Cotter’s Scotland to Twickenham later in the afternoon.
- Wales v Ireland – Ireland to Win -3 (10/11 at Betfred)
- Italy v France – France to Win -18 (10/11 at BetVictor)
- England v Scotland – England to Win -14 (13/10 at Betfred)
Wales v Ireland – 10th March
To be frankly honest, Wales have had a pretty darn poor Six Nations tournament so far. On Friday, they welcome Ireland to the Principality Stadium, five points adrift of the Irish in the table. With Schmidt’s troops sitting three points behind leaders England, Ireland will be looking for a win on Friday to pile the pressure on the English.
Despite kicking off with a handsome 33-7 win over Italy in Rome, Wales’ tournament has gone backwards since. A hard-fought 21-16 loss to England on home soil was followed up with a shocking showing in Scotland, losing 29-13 to a revitalised Scottish team. Ireland, meanwhile, have hit back with two impressive wins since falling to an opening round defeat in Edinburgh.
In contrast to the Dragons, the Irish have gone from strength to strength in the competition. So much so, we fancy Schmidt’s boys to win well in Cardiff on Friday night. Betfred are offering 10/11 for Ireland to win -3, a price we believe is well worth having a punt on.
Ireland to Win with a -3 point handicap – 10/11 at Betfred
Italy v France – 11th March
Saturday’s first match sees Conor O’Shea’s Italy welcome Guy Noves’ France to the Stadio Olimpico, Rome. The Italians currently prop up the Six Nations table with zero points to their name, with the French in fifth on five. France have beaten Scotland, but lost to England and Ireland so far.
Italy put in a brave performance at Twickenham last time out, even though many believe it was in controversial style. Nevertheless, O’Shea’s boys have been thumped three times so far, conceding 132 points along the way. As for the French, they fell to a poor 19-9 defeat at the Aviva Stadium in their last game, with Camille Lopez’s three penalties being their only points of the game.
A big win in Rome on Saturday would set them up nicely for their final match with Wales at the Stade de France the following weekend. In truth, we can’t see anything other than a comfortable win unfolding for Noves and co. in this one. The standout bet is France to win with a -18 point handicap, which is priced at decent odds of 10/11 with BetVictor.
France to Win with -18 point handicap – 10/11 at BetVictor
England v Scotland – 11th March
The mouth-watering fixture of the round comes from Twickenham, as Eddie Jones’ unbeaten England host Vern Cotter’s vastly improved Scotland outfit. If the Scots want to make a real statement, then a victory in London would send a huge signal of intent. However, the English have won all 16 of their international matches with Jones in charge, and they will be looking for another victory on Saturday.
Scotland have been a breath of fresh air for the Six Nations this year, taking an outstanding nine points from three fixtures, scoring seven tries in the process. The Scots have already beaten Ireland and Wales in this year’s tournament. England, meanwhile, remain unbeaten, although they have had to work for every single one of their 15 points. Last time out, the English overcome a dogged Italian side at Twickenham, eventually winning 36-15 in London.
Even though we feel Scotland will put on another brave showing, we do believe England will be too strong for them in the end. The English are just 2/9 for the win, so we think there’s far better value is in Betfred’s 13/10 for the home team to overcome a -14 point handicap at Twickenham.
England to Win with a -14 point handicap – 13/10 at Betfred