Wales hot favourites with the bookies
AFTER a week’s rest, we’re back with round three of the Six Nations this weekend.
Wayne Pivac’s Wales are keen to bounce back to winning ways after defeat in Ireland last time out, and are rated 4/9 favourites with the pools.com to make the most of home advantage and beat France in Cardiff at Saturday tea-time.
The two sides are each a work in progress under new coaches and history favours Wales.
They haven’t lost on home soil to the French for a decade and, indeed, have triumphed in eight of the last nine fixtures between these two countries.
Even when Wales have had their backs to the wall, 16-0 down at half-time last year and then 19-10 behind in October and seemingly heading out of the World Cup quarter-finals, they have somehow rallied to win.
Or, you could argue, the French have self-imploded.
However, you just sense this could be a different France team under Fabien Galthie, with former Wales defence guru Shaun Edwards also part of the new-look set-up.
Inspired by scrum-half general Antoine Dupont, France have begun with victories over England and Italy and will strongly fancy their chances of making it three out of three.
Despite the successful start, they are 2/1 outsiders and you can get them at 17/20 with a plus-six start on the handicap.
Wales fans will understandably want to remain loyal to their team, but the law of averages suggests France will win again at some point in Cardiff.
Speaking of underdogs and barren runs, Italy are 13/5 outsiders against Scotland in Rome, with Gregor Townsend’s side rated 1/3.
The two teams have each lost two out of two and this looks like being a battle for the wooden spoon. It could even end up being an even bigger weekend for the underdogs, with Ireland seeking the Triple Crown against England at Twickenham the following day.
In losing to France and narrowly defeating Scotland, England have been inconsistent and head coach Eddie Jones has come under intense scrutiny.
Ireland, by contrast, have beaten Scotland and Wales.