Previews

Six Nations continues in earnest

Author: Lynda Collins
Date: 12/02/2010
Rugby Union betting

With this season's Six Nations competition well and truly underway, there are another three action-packed contests to look forward to this weekend.

The biggest showdown must be at Stade de France in Paris with the sportsbook favourites France and Grand Slam holders Ireland locking horns.

Both secured opening day victories with the Irish stumbling over the challenge of Italy, beating last season's wooden spoon recipients 29-11 at Croke Park.

France were unspectacular during their 18-9 win over Scotland at Murrayfield, although Mathieu Bastareaud and Imanol Harinordoquy stamped their authority on the game.

Bastareaud put his personal problems behind him as he scored two first-half tries and Harinordoquy put in a fantastic performance as the visitors grabbed an opening day triumph.

The two teams must shake off the rust from their unconvincing opening day successes if they are to steal the march on Saturday.

It proves to be an intriguing clash and if a winner can be found on the day, then they will be the out in front favourite to land this year's prize.

Scotland travel to Wales' Millennium Stadium and despite performing admirably against the French, they may find their trip to Cardiff that bridge too far.

Wales will still be hurting after last weekend's loss to England at Twickenham and they will be out to make amends against a Scotland side that lacks creativity and vision in attack.

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Alun-Wyn Jones will still be ruing his trip on England Dylan Hartley that earned him a stint in the sin-bin on Saturday afternoon.

England took full advantage, scoring 17 unanswered points during this spell, ultimately taking the game away from Warren Gatland's men.

Italy have the unenviable prospect of putting up a fight against England at Rome's Stadio Flaminio on Sunday.

With James Haskell scoring a brace of tries and Danny Care also going over the whitewash for Martin Johnson's men against the Welsh, they will be looking to fill their boots once more.

Italy are an improving side of late under astute South African coach Nick Mallett and they offered Ireland a challenge at times last time out but England should have too much class in their ranks.

History favours England, they have faced the Italians nine times since their introduction brought the Six Nations and England have won each time.

They have accumulated a mammoth 423-points in the process.

Despite this, Italy have narrowed the gap significantly and the last time the two met in Rome back in February 2008, England won 23-19.

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