England v Ireland 2010 RBS Six Nations Betting – Twickenham hosts crucial clash

Rugby betting will spike on the weekend, as England go into their all important RBS Six Nations Clash against Ireland at Twickenham on Saturday, with an unchanged side from the one which started against Italy. The side under performed against the Italians, most notably with Jonny Wilkinson’s kicking game badly letting him down for once. There has been a lot of criticism fired at Wilkinson since the game, with questions being asked about his role in the team if not for his kicking. Much of the criticism has been directed at his apparent lack of ability to get the back line firing in an expansive way, but a lot of the blame should not fall solely on his shoulders.

England are still not playing the game that is in front of them, and they look anything but a side which has confidence in what they are doing with the ball. This is where betting on this match become tough. They have a good team, but not a good team plan. They could explode, or they could collapse against the Irish. Ball’s from the breakdown are still too slow, and that doesn’t give Wilkinson much to work with. Slow ball leads to him dropping deep and resorting to kicking, something which England have been woeful at this year. There have been so many aimless kicks, that it just highlights the problem of a lack of confidence in their handling and running. Aimless kicks have just given so much possession away, instead of kicking for territory, where England can challenge any team in the line-out.

Still, boss Martin Johnson will be happy enough that England have won two from two, or else he probably wouldn’t be in a job right now. England simply need to play as a team, with the forwards going forward with purpose and desire to knock people down, and clearing the rucking area quickly. Only rare glimpses of what England can really do in the backs, have supporters seen, and but the problem is more with the system than with the quality of players England have available. There have been calls for changes, most notably with wanting explosive and dangerous Ben Foden coming in at full back to add an extra dimension. But you can have the most attacking players in there, but if they don’t get good ball, then nothing is going to happen.

This is where the English could fall down against the Irish. Despite being comprehensively beaten in Paris last week, the Irish have a lot more experience as a team unit that England do, and on the day, that could count in spades. This isn’t as easily a winnable game as it was against the Welsh or the Italians, and the strong Irish side, although they have had their problems with inspiration and good scrummaging, will pose a whole new level of challenge for Martin Johnson’s men. The fact that the game is at Twickenham may help a bit, but only if England are playing well. Johnson was subjected to boo’s in the autumn, and if England fall behind, fall under pressure and fall apart, then Twickenham won’t be a happy place for the England players.

Ireland will be reeling from their 33-10 defeat against the French two weeks ago, and will remember that they were lucky to beat England at home last season. Both sides will be fresh after the break period, in what will be a crucial game in the 2010 RBS Six Nations. More likely than not, rugby betting on this one will lean towards a tight victory for the Irish, because of their experience and their strong team work. Ronan O’Gara has been dropped from the starting XV, with Jonathan Sexton taking over the role again at fly half. Ireland need to not get sucked into too much of a forward battle against England, as that slow game will be playing into the English hands. They will be hurting after the French defeat, and this will be a test of how bold they are in defence of their Six Nations title.

England to win: 21/20 at Boylesports
Draw: 20/1 at 888Sport
Ireland  to win: 21/20 at Blue Square