William Hill News | jkennedy

A home double in the Guinness Premiership play-offs?

2010-05-14T20:02:05+00:00

Northampton v Saracens - 13:30 live on Sky Sports 3

Still smarting from their one point loss to Saracens on home turf, Northampton are at odds of 2/5 to turn the tables when it really matters in the Guinness Premiership semi - final.

Saracens arrive as 21/10 underdogs to progress through and they really did upset the applecart coming and winning at the formidable Franklin's Gardens, a place that the Saints have turned in to such a fortress.

So, who will come good when it matters most? In one corner we have the sublime creativity and attacking prowess of the Saints with Chris Aston (7/1 for first try), Ben Foden (14/1) and Stephen Myler (20/1) all huge threats in the back line, with the outstanding Phil Dowson (18/1) marauding from his flanker position.

In the other corner we have brute force and grit of the Saracens with the likes of Schalk Brits (25/1 for first try), Ernst Joubert (25/1) and Jacques Burger (28/1) set to give the Saints back a torrid afternoon, while Alex Goode (18/1) offers another outlet at full back to go with the pace of Michael Tagicakibau (12/1) and Chris Wyles (12/1) on the wings.

A weather check could be crucial before getting stuck in to this one as if clear and dry expect the Saints to run Saracens ragged with their attacking, flowing rugby, but bad conditions and Sarries look better equipped for a slog in the mud at the time of writing I would veer towards Northampton giving up 6 points on the handicap at 10/11 - they will not be letting victory slip this time that's for sure.

For those who fancy a contest too close to call, backing a winning margin to either side of 1-5 points could be the call with Saints available at 5/1 to win by this margin and Saracens 6/1.

Leicester v Bath - 16:00 live on Sky Sports 3

This on paper could be the game of the whole season with the ferocious Leicester as usual perching on top of the Premiership but they face the most in form team around - a Bath side who have won 11 of their last 12.

These two fierce rivals will go for it from the off and it is no surprise to see Leicester installed as 4/11 favourites with the away side at odds of 9/4 as Welford Road is a formidable fortress for the Tigers at the best of times and along with a decent record against Bath, it looks like the away side could be up against it.

Leicester have beaten Bath in their last six meetings and indeed the away side's only Premiership defeat in their last 12 games was against the Tigers, going down 43-20 at Welford Road which may make people jump at the 10/11 on offer about the home side giving up 7 points on the handicap.

In a game as pressurised as this though Bath should not be written off and their formidable attack has the ability to see off any side and Leicester were beaten at home by Saracens in their last game.

Joe Maddock has been on fire on the wing for Bath and is 12/1 to go over first while Olly Barkley and Shontayne Hape have been crucial for them all season and are both 16/1 to go over first but all eyes will be on Butch James at fly half as he does battle with Toby Flood and whoever comes off best out of that one could win the game for their side.

Indeed Flood and Ben Youngs (both 16/1 for first try) are a lethal pairing at fly and scrum half and combined with Alex Tuilagi (10/1), Geordan Murphy (14/1), Lewis Moody (20/1) and co will certainly be tough to break down with every small error likely to be punished.

So, which way will it go? It has to be Leicester on home turf, they have been there, done it and know what these kind of matches are all about but the handicap looks about right at 10/11 giving up 7 points as this promises to be much closer than their 23 point victory last time.

A better bet could be the Tigers by 1-5 points at 5/1 or 6-10 points at 9/2 while another interesting market is the first team try where Bath could be the pick at 6/5 - their devastating attacking play could pick Leicester off early before the boot of flood and pure grit take the Tigers over the line.

Whichever side you'll be rooting for this will be a classic so sit back, relax and prepare for a double dose of pure entertainment.

Heineken Cup reaches fever pitch

2010-04-09T17:15:26+00:00

A double dose of Heineken Cup action awaits you on Saturday as the quarter finals take place with the biggest teams in Europe vying for a shot at the most coveted prize in domestic rugby union.

Biarritz v Ospreys - 15:00 live on Sky Sports 2

Ospreys are bidding to make the Heineken Cup final four for the first time in their history and they are 15/8 to reach this mile stone but they have the imposing Biarritz stood in their way.

At odds of 4/9 the French side will be bullish of seeing off the Welsh challengers as they so rarely slip at home and they walked through the pool stages while Ospreys came through a very tough group but were wildly inconsistent and knowing how they will fair in this game largely depends on what mood they are in on the day - brilliant one minute, atrocious the next, an attribute so usually associated with French sides.

Biarritz are going to do their best to quell the flair threat of the Ospreys backline which means the likes of Tommy Bowe (11/1 for first try), Shane Williams (11/1) and Lee Byrne (18/1) may have to work hard to get any quick ball, while Ryan Jones and Alun Wyn - Jones will be looked at to lead the pack in to battle against the ferocious French forwards.

The imposing Immanol Harinordiquy (18/1) leads a tough Biarritz pack while Damien Traille (16/1), Takudzwa Ngwenya (10/1) and Iain Balshaw (16/1) all pack an explosive punch and will match the Ospreys backs for pace and flair all over the pitch.

So, where does our money go? Finding it hard to see past a Biarritz victory and they should be capable of giving up five points on the handicap at 10/11 while a convincing win would not shock so backing margins of 11-15 at 6/1 and even 16-20 at 9/1 could be the call as Ospreys look set to struggle with this step up to the top level.

Expect big points in the game also with two attacking teams and the stats showing us that Biarritz scored an average of 44 points in their home Heineken Cup games so far and Biarritz look a great bet at 4/6 to win the race to 10 points and indeed the game.

Recommendation:

Biarritz -5 - 10/11

Biarritz to win race to 10 points - 4/6

Munster v Northampton - 17:30 live on Sky Sports 2

If there is to be an upset in the quarter finals then it could be at Thomond Park by Northampton who are at odds of 5/2 to upset 1/3 shots Munster.

Munster will be smarting from their home defeat to Leinster and will want to bounce right back with a win in front of their passionate crowd but Northampton are going to know what to expect.

This is the third time these to have met this season with a win apiece but Northampton could have and perhaps should have inflicted defeat on Munster last time going down 12-9 and since that game the Saints have gone from strength to strength.

Chris Ashton (11/1 for first try), Ben Foden (16/1), Shane Geraghty (16/1) and Courtney Lawes (15/2 to score anytime) are all bright young talent who have propelled Northampton to challenge in all competitions and they can give Munster a real run for their money.

Apart from the obvious threats of Doug Howlett (11/1) and Keith Earls (14/1), Ronan O'Gara has been on fire with the boot for the home side and he will no doubt keep the scoreboard ticking over at every opportunity and the Saints will need to match them kick for kick if they are to emerge victorious.

Northampton receive a six point head start on the handicap at 10/11 and that looks a good bet as the margins between the two sides have been three and four points on the two occasions they've met this season.

Other bets to look at could be the second half being the highest scoring at 4/5 as a cagey start between these two evenly matched sides could lead to a tight first half followed by a more open second as both teams attempt to cement their advantage.

This should be a real bruising encounter and the young Northampton side could shock the old guard of Munster and progress to the semi finals and continue the Saints' fantastic season.

Recommendation:

Northampton +6 - 10/11

Second half being the highest scoring - 4/5

Home advantage can swing it for the champions

2010-04-09T08:35:24+00:00

A match that on paper looks as even as you can get with two of the most exciting back lines in rugby union colliding but it could be home advantage that swings it for 4/9 Leinster.

Think of this as a subplot to France v Ireland in the Six Nations, a game which the French ran away with and with many internationals from both sides involved in this game, expect some big hits, and Leinster to be hungry for progress for club and revenge for country.

Brian O'Driscoll is back to lead the defending Heineken Cup champions in to battle and Clermont promise to pose them an extremely tough challenge and will have their backers at odds of 15/8.

The handicap has Leinster giving up five points at odds of 10/11 and you can be sure that if this game was the being played in France, Clermont would be favourites but the imposing RDS Stadium is what awaits the Top 14 side and before the match has even begun it is advantage Leinster.

The home side will enter the game brimming with confidence after beating arch rivals Munster in a famous victory away from home and with O'Driscoll and Shane Horgan returning to the star-studded line up, fans will be quietly confident of witnessing a home victory.

Neutrals should prepare themselves for a treat as if conditions are dry we can expect flowing, attacking, quick rugby as Clermont's back line containing Julien Malzieu (12/1 for first try), Morgan Para (22/1) and Aurelien Rougerie (12/1) to name but a few has a dangerous look to it and Leinster's defence could get worked over time.

Horgan (11/1) and O'Driscoll (12/1) are huge attacking threats for the home side while Rob Kearney (14/1) will look to burst the Clermont defence from full back and powerful Irish number 8 Jamie Heaslip (18/1) is capable of winning games on his own.

Jonathan Sexton will need no slip ups with the boot as every point is sure to be vital in such a close looking game and backing the first scoring play to be a home penalty at 6/4 could be the way to a profitable night as Clermont could take a while to settle down while Leinster are sure to come out absolutely flying.

French teams are notoriously bad travelers but in a one off game that Clermont have to win, that factor is all but negated but home advantage should swing it for Leinster and a winning margin of 1-5 points or 6-10 points both at odds of 9/2 look in the right area, while a 1-5 point Clermont victory is 5/1.

From a betting point of view, this writers allegiance edges slightly towards the blue side and Leinster should be able to cover the handicap at 10/11 while Clermont's indiscipline could cost them the first points of the game and also have Leinster a step closer to defending their coveted Heineken Cup crown.

Recommendation:

Leinster -5 - 10/11

First scoring play - Leinster penalty 6/4

Thrills, spills and flying dismounts - the flat season is back

2010-03-26T13:45:27+00:00

With the dust about to settle on the National Hunt season proper, we rub our hands together with glee as we prepare for the return of the flat season, which means flying dismounts, jugs full of pimms and some of the most exciting horse racing in the world.

Fresh in the memory is Sea The Stars and how he came and swept aside all before him and the racing world will be praying it unearths another superstar this season.

This season sees former champion jockey Kieron Fallon back in the saddle to ride alongside great rivals such as Frankie Dettori, Jamie Spencer and Jonny Murtagh which adds extra spice to proceedings as the Irishman bids to get his formerly illustrious career back on track.

The season kicks off with the William Hill sponsored Lincoln handicap which is one of the most hotly contested races of the year and is a wonderful start to the season and this is followed by the two day Craven meeting at Newmarket towards the end of April.

The first Classic of the year is the 2000 Guineas, taking place on May 1 and a race for which Aidan O'Brien is already showing a strong hand with ante post favourite St Nicholas Abbey who has been in that position since hacking up impressively in a series of races last season.

The competition will be fierce though and the same can be said for the female's equivalent, the 1000 Guineas which happens the day after, making that one of the most exciting weekends to be around Newmarket all year.

The 1000 Guineas also has a popular market leader in the shape of French raider Special Duty who was last seen romping away with the Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket and she should be back to cement her claim as the best female miler around.

May sees the Juddmonte meeting at Newbury as well as the Dante meeting at York which both take place the week before the Irish 1000 and 2000 Guineas at the Curragh.

As we roll in to June we are well in to the season and arguably the greatest show piece of the campaign take place at Epsom with Friday 4 May giving the best fillies around a chance to strut their stuff in the Oaks and with an extremely open field, could it be O'Brien, Sir Michael Stoute, Saeed bin Suroor or possibly last year's winning trainer Michael Bell who walks away with the spoils?

Then it's the turn of the boys on the Saturday as the best 3 - year - olds line up for the Derby and St Nicholas Abbey also heads the market for this great race and could be the next super - horse coming out of the O'Brien stable.

June sees the meeting that is many a person's highlight of the whole summer - Royal Ascot. A chance for the ladies to dress to impress and the gents to splash the cash amidst royalty, celebrity and a host of Group 1 races which in the last few years has seen horses from all over the world come to compete and this year looks like it will be no exception.

Ascot also plays host to the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes meeting in July and this often serves as a warm to Glorious Goodwood, set in breathtaking surroundings, this undulating course has seen numerous upsets and is another chance for race goers to break out their finery and witness some spectacular flat racing.

August's highlight is the Juddmonte meeting at York which tees us up nicely for huge Septemeber which plays host to the final Classic of the season, the 1m6f St Leger which tests the stamina of the best horses around and often has a large contingent from the Derby so clues to market leaders can be found throughout the season.

Those are just a few of the meetings that take place throughout this exciting season which promises to be even more thrilling than the last one and with William Hill you won't miss a thing with ante post markets, horse racing specials and best odds guaranteed to give you everything you need to get the most out of your racing experience.

Six Nations table and fixtures

2010-03-20T22:58:35+00:00

The Northern Hemisphere's top rugby union competition is one of the most exciting and anticipated events of the year and this year's Six Nations championship is looking like no exception with one of the most open contests in years.

As always with William Hill, there will be a huge range of markets available both before and during the games, all of which are live on TV so you can be involved right up until the competition comes to a close on the 20th March.

You can keep up with all the fixtures, with dates, times and venues for every game with the table below and also see how each nation is getting on with our Six Nations table which will be updated as and when the results come flying in.

2010 Six Nations table
Team	Pld	W	D	L	For	Ag	PD	TF	Pts
France	5	5	0	0	135	69	66	13	10
Ireland	5	3	0	2	106	95	11	11	6
England	5	2	1	2	88	76	12	6	5
Wales	5	2	0	3	113	117	-4	10	4
Scotland	5	1	1	3	83	100	-17	3	3
Italy	5	1	0	4	69	137	-68	5	2

Time	Date	Fixtures and results	Venue
14:30	06 February	Ireland 29-11 Italy	Croke Park
17:00	06 February	England 30-17 Wales	Twickenham
15:00	07 February	Scotland 9-18 France	Murrayfield
14:00	13 February	Wales 31-24 Scotland	Millennium Stadium
16:30	13 February	France 33-10 Ireland	Stade de France
14:30	14 February	Italy 12-17 England	Stadio Flaminio
20:00	26 February	Wales 20-26 France	Millennium Stadium
13:30	27 February	Italy 16-12 Scotland	Stadio Flaminio
16:00	27 February	England 16-20 Ireland	Twickenham
14:30	13 March	Ireland 27-12 Wales	Croke Park
17:00	13 March	Scotland 15-15 England	Murrayfield
14:30	14 March	France 46-20 Italy	Stade de France
14:30	20 March	Wales 33-10 Italy	Millennium Stadium
17:00	20 March	Ireland 20-23 Scotland	Croke Park
19:45	20 March	France 12-10 England	Stade de France

Scotland to be sacrificed as the final Croke Park offering

2010-03-19T13:35:10+00:00

The Six Nations title may have all - but escaped Irish clutches but they will be determined to win their fifth Triple Crown in seven years by beating Scotland and the home side are 1/8 to oblige with the Scots at odds of 6/1.

Had Scotland not suffered so many injuries during the tournament or played so many tough, hard games they could be worth a small interest at the price, but the grueling draw against England last time may be the straw that breaks the camels back of the already battered and bruised squad and Ireland could enjoy themselves.

The Irish play their final game at Croke Park so will certainly not want it to end in defeat and they could still win the title with a huge win and hope France suffer a heavy defeat to England (not likely we know), but you can be sure the boys in green will be going for it hell - for - leather and this may be too much for the Scots.

Andy Robinson will be hoping his plucky side that should have beaten Wales and drew with England can cause a huge upset but barring atrocious weather, therefore limiting Ireland's running game, just can't see a way the Scots can take this, and the Wooden Spoon looks destined for north of the boarder.

The handicap has the home side giving up 14 points at odds of 10/11 and that looks about right, but looking the stats, Scotland are going to have a real battle to keep this respectable.

The Scots have scored just two tries all Six Nations and while grit may work against the likes of Italy and England, Ireland have scored nine tries and their devastating attack are going to thoroughly test the Scottish resilience.

Tommy Bowe (8/1 for first try) and current tournament top try scorer Keith Earls (9/1) take their places on the wing, while Brian O'Driscoll is 11/1, Rob Kearney 14/1 and in the pack, Jamie Heaslip is 16/1, demonstrating the awesome attacking threat Ireland have all over the park.

Max Evans has often looked Scotland's biggest threat and is 14/1 to go over first, while Sean Lamont is the same price, but perhaps if the Scots are to break through then it will be their much heralded back row John Barclay (9/2 to score anytime), Johnnie Beattie (9/2) or Kelly Brown (7/1) that will get it.

The Scots haven't won in Dublin since 1998 and that run looks like it will continue, for those wanting a bigger priced bet, Ireland to win by 16-20 points is 11/2 or 21-25 points 13/2, a score which is entirely plausible.

Scotland have been incredibly unlucky this tournament with injuries and inexplicable results (see the Wales game), but there looks like there is little they can do against an Ireland team who will have been sent out to win and win well and give Croke Park the great send - off it deserves.

Recommendation:

Ireland to win by 21-25 points - 13/2

Keith Earls to score first try - 9/1

Italy ready to rattle wobbly Welsh

2010-03-19T12:11:03+00:00

In any other year, you would put your mortgage on Wales beating Italy and feel confident that you had successfully bought some money at a fantastic rate, but odds of 1/9 this time around actually appear a little short and Cardiff may have to brace itself for a shock.

The Italians have been happy doing what the usually do and making life as difficult as possible for the opposition while only really trying to win against Scotland - which they did, but they have been a lot better than the damage limitation team this year and odds of 13/2 about an away win are almost tempting.

In reality of course, a facile Wales victory is still what is expected from Warren Gatland's side, in a tournament which has seen them get pasted by Ireland and lose to France, England and they should have lost to Scotland so anything but a convincing win could see Gatland's position become anything but secure.

Wales' method of falling miles behind then finishing strongly when the opposition are tired is extremely exciting but not very effective and their leaky defence has been the main cause of this and Italy will be confident they can at least get over the line.

Gatland has dropped Leigh Halfpenney as a token gesture but former talismanic full back Lee Byrne has been woeful this tournament, as have most of the forwards, and the boot of Stephen Jones (20/1 for first try) could be a vital tool during the afternoon, but the likes of Jamie Roberts (12/1), James Hook (11/1) and newbie Tom Prydie (10/1) will all hope to get on the scoresheet, while Shane Williams is predictably favourite at 7/1 to score the first try.

While it was most likely largely due to France easing off, Italy rattle Les Bleus late on and scrum half Pablo Canavosio has been outstanding and could score again at 5/1 for an anytime try, while Mirco Bergamaso (4/1), Kaine Robertson (4/1) and Luke Mclean (11/2) all pose potent enough threats.

So, can Wales give up 15 points at 10/11 against the Azzuri? On a going day, yes easily, but how many of those have we seen recently? Correct, none so backing Italy with a 15 point head start looks the call as the Italians so rarely get beaten out of sight, often finding the defence or points from somewhere to make it respectable.

As always with Wales games, backing the second half to be the highest scoring at 8/11 could be the way to winnings and a speculative punt on Italy/Wales in the double result market at 8/1 could pay dividends if the Welsh are slow out of the traps once again, and if you think Italy can stay within the handicap, a home victory by 1-5 points at 8/1 or 6-10 points at 6/1 can reward at bigger prices.

An emphatic win here for the home side would only paper over the cracks of losses of form from key players, questionable coaching methods and team selections and ultimately poor performances on the pitch.

Something is clearly amiss and it could take a real rattling from the improving Italians for the believed, necessary changes to be made. Wales will win, but this writer feels there will be nothing pretty about it and expect Italy to give another trademark, battling performance.

Recommendation:

Italy +15 points - 10/11

Wales to win by 6-10 points - 6/1

Grand Slam man Lievremont can give Jonno the final shove

2010-03-19T10:46:05+00:00

If previous form in this Six Nations is anything to go by punters will be falling over each other to get some of the 1/6 about France to beat 5/1 England as a real hammering, Gallic style looks on the cards for Martin Johnson's side, but should punters exercise some caution before piling in to Les Bleus?

Apart from lumping on France being a good way an early grave due to their tendency to take their foot off the gas later in games, it is worth noting that England have won their last three encounters in the with the French, including twice in Paris.

England fans will fondly remember the battering France got at Twickenham which stunned many, angered the nation and talk of revenge has been the hot topic of conversation in the French sports pages.

Marc Lievremont though should have no reason to be overly worried, his side are on for the Grand Slam and they look a much more settled unit than in previous years with few team changes and an awesome pack.

Johnson meanwhile has finally swung the axe on his underperforming players, bringing in Northampton duo Chris Ashton (12/1 for first try) and Ben Foden (16/1) at wing and full back respectively, while Toby Flood (28/1) starts at fly half for the past - it Johnny Wilkinson and Mike Tindall (16/1) comes in at centre, but bizarrely James Haskell is dropped to the bench which is a shame as the Stade Francais man would be more than fired up for this encounter.

These changes are what England need, and what could save Jonno the sack but why he has waited until the final and indeed hardest game to make them stinks of desperation and the settled French juggernaut gets wheeled out again in a bid to crush England.

Imanol Harinordiquy has shown all tournament why he is one of the most dangerous back rowers in the world and his odds of 14/1 to score first try demonstrate how much of a threat he is while admirable support from Julien Bonnaire (22/1) and Thierry Dusautoir (25/1) could win the French the game.

In the backs, Alexis Palisson (10/1) looks to cement his place on the wing along with Marc Andreu (11/1) while the dangerous centre partnership of Mathieu Bastareaud (14/1) and Yannick Jauzion (14/1) is reunited so get ready for some almighty clashes in the midfield.

The handicap has France giving up 10 points at odds of 10/11, a margin that 12 months ago would look very tricky, but what a difference a year makes and the way England have been playing, the home side could quite easily put 40 odd points on them.

Some bets you may like to look at are the highest scoring half being the first half at even money as expect both sides to come out flying while both have history of petering out in the second, while England have struggled for tries all tournament so the first team try being a French one at 4/7 could be the weekend's banker.

If and it is an absolutely huge if, the changes to England have an instant impact and France bottle it once again on the big stage then the away side have a chance, but this writer feels that two years of building up to this will see Les Bleus win this as the form book suggests they should - at a canter.

This could finally spell the end of the reign of Johnson which would see the country breath a sigh of relief and while it would be wonderful for England to beat France in their own back yard, the head must rule the heart and expect to see plenty of smiling Frenchmen as the Grand Slam returns to Paris.

Recommendation:

France -10 - 10/11

First half the highest scoring half - evens

England to once again meet their maker at Murrayfield

2010-03-12T19:46:38+00:00

Scotland coach Andy Robinson will be relishing the visit of his former side England to Murrayfield as his team aim to gain their first win of this Six Nations campaign and record their third straight win against the English at Murrayfield.

Martin Johnson will be feeling the pressure now after a defeat to Ireland and a woeful performance against Italy, he would love nothing more than for England to justify their 8/15 price tag and destroy the Scots in the manner of odds on favourites.

He may have to keep dreaming though as while 11/8 Scotland haven't won yet, they should have beaten Wales but for bizarre circumstances and came inches from scoring twice in Rome and they threatened just as much as England did against the Azzuri.

Now back on home turf at the fortress that is Murrayfield, Robinson will have his players fired up for this game, in particular England will need to be on their guard to cope with the much heralded Scottish back row of John Barclay, Johnnie Beattie and Kelly Brown.

Johnson meanwhile continues to feed the critics by recalling old hand Joe Worsley and retaining Delon Armitage at full back and Ugo Monye on the wing when the likes of Ben Foden and Chris Ashton are begging to be given their chance and he will be hoping England can grind out a victory in their usual, frustrating manner.

Some punters may look at the handicap line and see England giving up only four points at 10/11 and think Christmas has come early due to the current runs of the two sides, regardless of how they are perceived to be playing, but at a venue where they so often come a cropper, this handicap looks about right.

So, where will the tries come from? England haven't scored at Murrayfield since 2004 and the home side are hardly points machines at the best of times so wouldn't put anyone off no scorers at 16/1.

For the more optimistic, Sean Lamont and Max Evans are on the wings and are both 14/1 to cross the line first, while Simon Danielli has often looked threatening and is also 14/1 and you can have one of the back row boys, Beattie, Barclay or Brown at 22/1, 25/1 and 28/1 respectively.

England should carry the bigger threat but have often struggled to break teams down, especially away from home and Australia will testify just how tough it can be to get past Scotland, but Mark Cueto and Ugo Monye lead the betting at 10/1 and 11/1 respectively, while Matthew Tait who has looked bright is 14/1 and at a bigger price, James Haskell is 22/1 to open the scoring and add to his two tries in the opening game.

A trend identified before the tournament is how England often start brightly only to fade and struggle later on, so getting on the first half being the highest scoring at even money looks a fair bet, as does England -2 on the first half handicap at 10/11.

Man for man, England should have the beating of Scotland for sure but the way they have been playing, at the prices the home side look the better back at 11/8 as it would take a brave man to have odds on about this England team playing away from HQ.

If Johnson can get a win and unbelievably have his side still in with a shot at the title then he will feel vindicated in his team selection and it may give Johnny Wilkinson an extra year or so to play on and slow up England's back line and a Scottish win could actually be the best thing that has happened to English rugby for some time.

Recommendation:
Scotland - 11/8
No try scorer -16/1

Ton-up O’Driscoll faces a tough Welsh test

2010-03-11T21:06:45+00:00

There will be no love lost as Ireland take on Wales at Croke Park as the Welsh bid to take revenge for last year's heart - breaking defeat which handed the Grand Slam to the Irish.

It is easy to understand why Ireland are at odds of 2/9 to emerge victorious as they appear to be in a lot better form that Wales who are available at 3/1.

Warren Gatland has seen his side constantly perform dismally in the first halves of games before making rousing come backs in the second, but against both England and France these charges came too late and they were extremely fortunate to beat Scotland and Wales will need to play with that panache from the off.

Ireland bounced back from their crushing defeat by France to edge out England at Twickenham, a victory which will have confidence sky high but asking the home side to give up nine points at odds of 10/11 on the handicap looks like a tough task.

The games between these two sides are often tight but an interesting stat is that Wales have scored a try in every Six Nations match in Ireland since 1970 and many punters will feel the need to look no further than Shane Williams at 11/1 for first try, while Leigh Halfpenny is 14/1 and powerful centre Jamie Roberts, 18/1.

For Ireland Brian O'Driscoll would dearly love to mark his 100^th cap with the first try and he is 11/1 to do so while Tommy Bowe, who is fast becoming one of the best wingers in the world is 8/1 and Jamie Heaslip 22/1 to carry on his sterling work from the number 8 position and Wales will need to watch for his powerful runs.

Both sides are so dangerous on the break that this looks like it could be high scoring with question marks being raised over both teams' defenses Declan Kidney will be particularly concerned that Ireland have been giving away so many penalties and a back of a Wales penalty as the first scoring play at 15/8 could be a way to profit from Irish indiscipline.

If the way things have gone this tournament are anything to go by then backing Ireland giving up four points on the first half handicap at 10/11 then Wales on the second half handicap with a five point head start at even money could have you laughing all the way to the bank.

Ireland will see this as a chance to all but cement the Triple Crown with just victory over Scotland standing in their way and Wales continue to frustrate and disappoint despite having some very talented individuals.

Ireland will win but Wales +9 on the handicap at 10/11 looks the bet while the first and second half handicap bets are another option. For a first try scorer Williams could not be in better form but the day could be all about O'Driscoll and at 9/4 he looks worth a bet to cap his century with an emotional try.

Recommendation:

Wales +9 - 10/11

Brian O'Driscoll to score a try - 9/4