STAR PREVIEW: Weekend Six Nations

England v Wales

It’s impossible to know if this year’s Six Nations will be won, or if it’ll have a winner at all – but England can win the Triple Crown by beating Wales at Twickenham. The impact of the coronavirus looks sure to delay the whole tournament for the foreseeable future, but thankfully we still have these two big clashes.

England’s tournament started poorly with their defeat to France but that performance reads better after the next two gameweeks and Eddie Jones’ side have managed to get back on the winning trail with two wins against Scotland (13-6) and Ireland (24-12). The different manner of those successes – their win against Scotland was a grind in truly awful weather, whilst they obliterated Ireland with their kick-chase and pressure – reminds us of the quality that Eddie Jones’ men can reach and they look better prepared for this game.

Wales were on the wrong side of some marginal calls in their defeat against France at the Millennium but they were much more comprehensively beaten by Ireland (24-14) in Dublin and England will look to exploit the same faults that they did. In Dublin their pack came off worse, especially at the scrum, and the hosts’ tight grip on territory left them susceptible to close charges near to the tryline.

The return of Liam Williams to the fray is a massive boost as they face England’s kick chase bombardment, but this is his first international back since Injury and the loss of Josh Adams to injury for the rest of the tournament is a big blow and it remains to be seen just how fit Dan Biggar is after his nasty knee injury for Northampton.

The return of Josh Navidi to the fray is another boost for Wayne Pivac’s side too, but they do face an England side which has proven its adaptability since the France defeat. The absence of Sam Underhill is a blow but Mark Wilson has been excellent for Sale and Courtney Lawes was truly outstanding against Ireland, with George Kruis and Maro Itoje able to provide ample support.

George Ford and Owen Jones were brilliant against Ireland with Elliot Daly & Jonny May tormenting their opposite numbers and whilst Wales back three on paper should be able to face upto the hosts, England’s intensity and pack strength – even without Mako Vunipola –can prove to be too strong. The 13 point handicap for England is fair based on the collateral form, but even in a dominant performance Ireland ended up only going down by 12 thanks to a late try after England had switched off from a dominant position.

England v Wales
Guinness Six Nations 2020
Twickenham, England

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD
(Maximum 10 matches, since 2010)
2019: Wales won 13-6 in Cardiff (World Cup warm-up)
2019: England won 33-19 in London (World Cup warm-up)
2019: Wales won 21-13 in Cardiff
2018: England won 12-6 in London
2017: England won 21-16 in Cardiff
2016: England won 27-13 in London
2016: England won 25-21 in London
2015: Wales won 28-25 in London (World Cup)
2015: England won 21-16 in Cardiff
2014: England won 29-18 in London

RECOMMENDED BETS
See below

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Scotland v France

France have made a perfect start to this year’s Six Nations and they’re strongly fancied to make it four in a row by the markets, but Scotland could give Les Bleus a serious challenge. France’s hard fought and thrilling win over Wales – beating the side that they should have knocked out of the World Cup – could well be a landmark moment for a young side that stood up and was counted when the heat was on in Cardiff.

Romain Ntamack was brilliant at flyhalf once again and his combination with Antoine Dupont has proven to be too hot for England, Italy and now Wales, whilst Anthony Bouthier has made a big claim ot the full-back jersey with another impressive showing. The pack has been led magnificently by Charles Ollivon, with Grégory Alldritt providing another heavy duty carrying option. In Paul Willemse, and Bernard Le Roux they have a solid lock pairing whilst Julien Marchand and Cyril Baille have played big roles in the pack.

Scotland haven’t been as impressive, but now is not the time to give up on Scotland. Had it not been for Stuart Hogg dropping the ball they may well have beaten Ireland in Dublin on the opening weekend and the ferocious weather was always going to favour England more here.

Their 17-0 win against Italy might not have impressed that many onlookers but they dominated proceedings with 561 meters run compared to 413 for the home side, and 31 defenders beaten from 11 clean breaks compared to 21 from 12 for the hosts.

Stuart Hogg’s excellent try there – following up with an excellent score for Exeter the weekend before – should have him full of confidence and Adam Hastings has been an excellent performer in place of Finn Russell too. Scotland’s chance conversion has been a problem but it’s worth remembering that in Sean Maitland and Blair Kinghorn, Scotland have wingers that can push the returning Damien Paenaud and Gael Fickou.

France are deserving favourites after their win in Cardiff, but the margins there were razor thin – Romain Ntmack’s intercept could easily have been a Welsh try, and the French could well have conceded a penalty try in the second half – and Scotland’s home form is still worthy of respect, despite a poor 2019 on that front; They beat England and France in 2018. The hosts look big on the 2 way handicap, regardless of the result.

Scotland v France
Guinness Six Nations 2020
Murrayfield, Scotland

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD
(Maximum 10 matches, since 2010)
2019: Scotland won 17-14 at Murrayfield
2019: France won 32-3 in Nice
2019: France won 27-10 in Paris
2018: Scotland won 32-26 at Murrayfield
2017: France won 22-16 in Paris
2016: Scotland won 29-18 at Murrayfield
2015: France won 19-16 in Paris
2015: France won 15-8 in Paris
2014: France won 19-17 at Murrayfield
2013: France won 23-16 in Paris

RECOMMENDED BETS (scale of 1-100 points)
BACK England to win by 1-12 points 2 pts at 2/1 with
BACK Scotland +6.5 5 pts on 2-way Handicap 5 pts at 8/11 with

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