England can compound Wallabies’ misery
ENGLAND vs AUSTRALIA
Tomorrow 2.30pm
ENGLAND are under no illusions that hammering Fiji was anything other than a warm-up for their showdown with Australia. Putting 54 points on Fiji vindicated Stuart Lancaster’s selection choices, especially Alex Goode’s man-of-the-match performance.
Lancaster admitted England started sluggishly last Saturday and he’ll know that they cannot make the same mistakes, even though this isn’t the strongest Australian side. The Wallabies were beaten 35-18 on their last visit to HQ in a contest that will be remembered for Chris Ashton’s phenomenal try. The winger is likely to return to the starting XV having served his ban as England shuffle the pack.
England’s win in November 2010 over Australia was the second on the bounce against their old rivals and the Red Rose are 1/3 with Coral to make it a hat-trick.
Robbie Deans’ troops were embarrassed in Paris last Saturday when losing 33-6. France outplayed the Wallabies in all facets of the game as they failed to score a try for the second straight international. Australia will welcome back Berrick Barnes and Digby Ioane to the fold, but I don’t think that will be enough.
England won by 17 points last time they met the Aussies and coupled with their efforts in France, I’m more than happy to back Lancaster’s side with the -8 handicap at 10/11 with Coral.
There were 53 points scored when these two last met and Australia’s susceptible defence shipped 33 on their last outing, so spread bettors are advised to buy total points at 45 with Sporting Index.
■ Pointers…
England with -8 handicap at 10/11 with Coral
Buy total points at 45 with Sporting Index