The Six Nations picture is beginning to take shape after a couple of weeks of Autumn Internationals, with 11/10 jollies England showing their worth by cruising past South Africa 37-21 at Twickenham, while 7/2 third-favourites Ireland look a force after finally beating New Zealand.
Another stellar card is up this weekend, with our comprehensive coupon buster adding up to an accumulator that will pay out at almost 40/1 if successful.
Italy (+19) to beat South Africa @ 10/11
A tight call, but the Azzurri got to within this mark the last time they played the Springboks in front of the faithful and have got progressively better against South Africa over their past four home clashes, losing by a smaller margin each time.
With the visitors in poor form of late, Conor O’Shea’s side get the handicap call.
Japan (+26) to beat Wales @ 10/11
A run of seven Dragons victories in a row against Japan by at least 23 points was brought to a halt on tour three years ago, when the hosts went down just 22-18 before beating an admittedly-weak Wales side 23-8.
With three of the team that shocked South Africa 34-32 at the last World Cup in the visitors’ squad, and the hosts hardly hitting stride under interim coach Rob Howley, Jamie Joseph’s raiders look the part with a big head start.
England (-39) to beat Fiji @ 10/11
The Red Rose cleared this mark the last time they took on Fiji in an Autumn International at Twickenham, and with no country England have faced under Eddie Jones able to live with them, another thumping looks likely.
Scotland to beat Argentina @ 4/5
The Tartan faithful won’t feel overconfident at Murrayfield, with a 41-31 win over Los Pumas two years ago Scotland’s first against the South Americans in five home Tests.
However, that victory now sits in a run of four in their last five clashes all told against Argentina, with Vern Cotter’s side showing fine recent form in the painful 23-22 loss to Australia.
Ireland (+16) to beat New Zealand @ 10/11
It’s tempting to add Joe Schmidt’s men’s 6/1 outright price into the acca considering world-class back-row forward Sean O’Brien returns to the pack – the only change to the side that threw a 111-year-old monkey off their backs in beating the All Blacks 40-29 in Chicago.
While most of that XV were taking last weekend off, with fringe players and youngsters seeing off Canada 52-21, the double world champions warmed up for a crack at retribution with a 68-10 win over Italy.
Ireland will be fresher and don’t warrant such a big head start in the handicap.
France to beat Australia @ 7/10
Despite losing eight of their last ten against the Wallabies, Les Bleus have emerged victorious the past two times this fixture has been played at Stade de France.
With Australia’s form tough to take on trust after being whitewashed at home to England, thumping Wales and only just seeing off Scotland last time out, sticking with the hosts seems wise. Find all the rugby betting odds in bwin.
