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Ireland crown under threat

Author: Brandon Barker
Date: 05/02/2010
Rugby Union betting

The 2010 Six Nations championship is upon us once again with holders Ireland facing a comfortable start as they look to regain their Grand Slam crown they claimed last year.

Italy make the trip to Croke Park on Saturday afternoon as Declan Kidney's all-conquering 2009 side look to start in blazing fashion against last season's wooden spoon outfit.

Ireland were also in exceptional form during their Autumn internationals as they scored a 20-20 draw with Australia and grabbed wins against Fiji and world champions South Africa as their preparation for this term showed promise.

History is not on Italy's side either.

Ireland have triumphed in 13 successive fixtures and it would take a brave man to bet against them at the weekend.

Heroic captain Brian O'Driscoll will lead out his troops again against opposite number Leonardo Ghiraldini, who stands-in for injured skipper Sergio Parisse after a knee injury has ruled him out of the competition.

Martin Johnson's England will be seeking to win their first Six Nations since 2003 - a drought that will upset RFU bigwigs.

Will England justify their favourites tag by beating Wales in their Six Nations opener? - Latest Rugby Union Betting

Johnson captained England when they last won the competition and it was the same year they grabbed a stunning World Cup success and the former star will be using this as his motivation.

Mathew Tait will start at centre in just his second international start since the 2007 World Cup final defeat to South Africa.

Jonny Wilkinson continues at fly-half with Ugo Monye and Mark Cueto on the wings and Riki Flutey plays at inside-forward.

Full-back Delon Armitage, number eight Nick Easter and scrum-half Danny Care come into the side in an attacking looking line-up as Johnson seeks an exciting start.

Wales coach Warren Gatland believes they can repeat their success of 2008 when they upset England by winning at Twickenham.

He said: "It's a great game for us to start with and I just hope it will be the catalyst it was for us two years ago.

"Winning at Twickenham gave us the confidence and momentum for the rest of the championship."

On Sunday, Scotland welcome this year's sportsbook favourites France to Murrayfield and coach Andy Robinson has made big changes ahead of the opener.

In come Chris Paterson, who will be winning his 99th cap at full-back, Glasgow centre pairing Max Evans and Graeme Morrison, loose-head prop Alasdair Dickinson and Glasgow flankers Kelly Brown and John Barclay.

The will be led by Chris Cusiter and with no win on the first day of the championship since 2006, they will be out to upset the classy French this time around.

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