Six Nations Preview: Round Four

Wales v Italy (2.30pm Sat)
At 25/1 (Sportingbet) an Italy win would be one of the biggest shocks in Six Nations history. As usual the Italians have started their games well but faded in the second half.

Italy points difference by half

With a Grand Slam in the offering, don’t expect Wales to take the game lightly but it might be hard work for the first 40 minutes.

Verdict: Half Time Winning Margin: Wales 1-7 at 13/5 with Paddy Power

Ireland v Scotland (5pm Sat)
Ireland were deflated by a draw in Paris. In time, they might look back on it as a fine result but after squandering a half-time lead you can understand their disappointment. Paul O’Connell and Conor Murray are missing through injury and Ireland will need to lift themselves quickly. The 3/10 (Boylesports) on an Ireland win is not a price to be steaming into.

Scotland have shown promise without getting the results to match their performances. At 10/3 (Ladbrokes) they aren’t a team to back with confidence but with a ten point head start they could go close. 

Verdict: Scotland to win with a +10 handicap at 20/21 with bodog

France v England (3pm Sun)
It is a case of one-step forward, two-steps back as the RFU do their best to unravel Stuart Lancaster’s work. News reports suggest Jake White has turned down the England job with Jeremy Guscott suggesting that Nick Mallett will be named the next England coach.

You can’t help but feel sorry for Stuart Lancaster. The second half performance against Wales was some of the most exciting rugby the Red Rose have produced in years as his team came within a whisker of levelling the match. Considering the wreckage left after the World Cup he can feel harshly treated. You have to question why this recruitment process couldn’t have waited until after the Six Nations.

France got a rude awakening of their own last weekend. A sluggish first-half display put them 11-points behind at the break - a gap that proved insurmountable. It left their Grand Slam hope in ruins but what better way to bounce back than by beating their archrivals from across la Manche.

Paddy Power: France to win by more than 6 points 10/11 with Sportingbet