With the final round of the Six Nations fast approaching, it looks like it’s going to be a close three-horse race between the teams on six points: England, Ireland and Wales.
Believe it or not, France can still win but they have to beat England by a high score and hope Ireland and Wales also lose heavily.
Italy meanwhile will be buoyed by the fact that they have already won one game this tournament, and the minor detail that they are at home and facing a Wales side with a second-string front row; Italy’s strongpoint.
Scotland themselves have actually looked impressive throughout, despite not picking up a win yet. They have to win one game right?
Italy will want to beat one of the big sides at home and the fact that Wales have selected a below-strength front row will help them.
They are 14/1 for the victory and 20/1 to win by 1-5 points. They will also try and grind out the win like they did against Scotland; Samuela Vunisa replaces superstar Sergio Parisse, who is out injured, in the back row and he is to score anytime, while the Italians are 17/10 to get the last try.
Wales know they have to score big to have any chance to getting their hands on the title; they are 7/4 to pick up the win with a -30.5 handicap and 1/5 to be the first team to score.
Livewire Rhys Webb is 15/2 to score first, exciting winger Liam Williams is 4/5 to score anytime, and last week’s try scorer Scott Williams is 8/1 score last.
My best bet? A draw at halftime but Wales to turn on the afterburners and win at 28/1.
Ireland know that they also have to win big if they have any chance of pipping England at the post; they are 9/2 to win by 1-5 or 6-10 points, and 5/1 to win by 11-15.
Scotland are no mugs though, and are 7/2 to win and 8/5 to be the first team to 10 points. Their best attacking player of the tournament, Stuart Hogg and Mark Bennett, are 7/2 and 4/1 respectively to score anytime.
Ireland wing Luke Fitzgerald comes in from the cold and will be looking to make an impression. He’s currently 10/1 to score first.
My best bet? Ireland’s pack to make mincemeat of the Scots, with backrowers Jamie Heaslip at 3/1, Sean O’Brien at 4/1, and Peter O’Mahoney at 5/1 to score anytime.
An England win should be enough for them to secure the title but will be hoping that Scotland trip up their rivals over the Irish Sea.
The best odds for an England victory are 31/20 with an alternative handicap of -14.5, while France’s best odds and for an outright win at 4/1.
The match has always proved feisty over the years and a yellow card to be shown is 9/20, while a red is 12/1.
Just like last week, hot-footed Jonathan Joseph is 7/1 to score first, while Danny Cipriani has proved he has what it takes from the bench and is 20/1 to score last.
France meanwhile have the players to cause England problems, especially Maxime Mermoz and Gael Fickou; the two centres are both 11/2 to score anytime.
My best bet? Yoann Huget has proved time and again that he is a lethal finisher of the ball, especially at home. Bet big with him at 3/1 to score anytime.
