England to get over Paris heartbreak by crushing sorry Scots
WILLIAM CHRIMES, BEN CLEMINSON AND BILL ESDAILE WITH THE BEST RUGBY, FOOTBALL AND RACING BETS
AFTER conceding a try in the first minute, and being 16-3 down at one point against France in their Six Nations opener, it took a massive effort from England to lead 24-19 with just four minutes left last Saturday.
But, alas, heartbreak delivered in the form of substitute Gael Fickou’s try from the last attack of the game, and the subsequent conversion, sent Stuart Lancaster’s men home with their tails between their legs, denying them what would have been a sensational win and the biggest comeback in Red Rose history.
Tomorrow England have the perfect opportunity to banish those memories and get their campaign back on track when they travel to Murrayfield to play Scotland for the Calcutta Cup.
Lancaster has retained faith in the players who fell just short at the Stade de France, with even Gloucester’s Johnny May starting on the wing, despite suffering a broken nose early on last week.
Scotland haven’t won this fixture since 2008 and looked limited last Sunday when overrun 28-6 by an Ireland side, who weathered an early storm, but then eased to victory.
There’s no doubt England were the better team against France last weekend and if it wasn’t for a couple of unfortunate bounces, the dream of a first Six Nations grand slam since 2003 would still be on.
I still believe England are capable of landing a first championship for three years and they can signal their intentions by battering tomorrow’s rivals. Sporting Index have pitched England’s supremacy quote over their neighbours at 9-12 and that’s worth buying.
The Red Rose won last year’s meeting 38-18 and, if anything, the gulf in class has widened further since.
The biggest clash of the weekend is Wales’ trip to Ireland. The Welsh remain on course for a record third straight Six Nations after a rather unimpressive 23-15 triumph over perennial outsiders Italy in Cardiff.
However, they are known for their slow starts and better is expected in Dublin.
From the last 10 meetings in this tournament the Irish lead 6-4, although Warren Gatland’s team have won two of the last three in Ireland.
On the back of last weekend’s performances, Sporting Index traders are right to make Ireland favourites with a supremacy spread of 2-4.
However, there’s not much mileage in buying or selling that price, so, with the wet weather set to continue in Dublin, I can see this turning into a slog and selling total points at 37 is recommended.
Pointers…
Buy England supremacy at 12 with Sporting Index
Sell total points (Ireland v Wales) at 37 with Sporting Index