Six Nations Week 3 Betting Preview

France V Wales - Fri 8pm Stade de France

France go into the tournaments first ever Friday night kick off with another somewhat experimental side. Coach Marc Lievremont - under pressure yet again - has named centre Benoit Baby to play at fly-half in what must be seen as an extraordinary gamble, they also hand Mathieu Bastareaud his debut. Wales welcome back Shane Williams and Jamie Roberts from injury and also have Gavin Henson back on the bench.

Outright Betting

France 7/5 with Sportingbet
Wales 8/11 with Totesport
Draw is 25/1 with Paddy Power

Handicap Betting

France +3 10/11 with Paddy Power
Wales -2 10/11 with Betfred


Scotland V Italy - Sat 3pm Murrayfield

Italy will be looking to bounce back from getting booed off the pitch after their disappointing defeat at home to Ireland last time out. With Andrea Masi suspended the Azzurri welcome back Andrea Marcato and Marco Bortolami while hooker Leonardo Ghiraldini returns from injury. This is an important fixture for Scotland coach Frank Hadden, his Scotland side will be looking to avoid a third straight defeat (second at home) to the Italians and also the dreaded wooden spoon, Euan Murray and Alastair Kellock come into the side with Kellock making his first start in two years.

Outright Betting

Scotland 1/3 with Sky Bet
Italy 3/1 with Ladbrokes
Draw 28/1 with Paddy Power

Handicap Betting

Scotland -8 10/11 with Sky Bet
Italy +10 10/11 with Totesport


Ireland V England - Sat 3.30pm Croke Park

Ireland keep the same team for the third game is succession, when the teams first met at Croke Park two years ago the Irish handed England a 43-13 thrashing, this fixture seems to have a similar deja vu feeling to it with the Irish again riding high as England struggle. England make one change with Toby Flood replacing Andy Goode who drops down to the replacements bench where he is joined by the returning Danny Care.

Outright Betting

Ireland 2/5 with Blue Square
England 11/4 with Sky Bet
Draw 25/1 with Paddy Power

Handicap Betting

Ireland -7 10/11 with Coral
England +9 10/11 with Totesport


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