online sports betting news

AUTUMN RUGBY UNION INTERNATIONALS

While England are trying to contain the killer instincts of the New Zealand back three at Twickenham, the other three home nations are also in action.

Millennium Stadium
Saturday, 21 November
Kick-off: 2.30pm

After suffering a narrow, and somewhat unfortunate defeat against England last week, Argentina head across the border to take on Wales in Cardiff. This will be a good battle up front between the two sets of players, as Argentina know how to scrum and do it very well. They will rely on it as one of their strengths, and it is part of their game plan which has helped them gain a noticeable status on the platform of world rugby. Wales, on the other hand, are not so impressive there are the moment, and look like a unit that needs some more work, or perhaps just more time to gel together.

The Argentineans like to play on the edge, and with a raw passion that almost put England to shame on the scoreboard, as well as in performance last week. Wales struggled against Samoa in the scrum, which is something that should be unheard of in the Valleys. Although the Welsh squeezed past their southern hemisphere opponents 17-13, they were struggling to hold on against the Samoans. That was after a game against New Zealand, in which the Welsh pack did ok, but when New Zealand turned up to play Italy, the Italians showed how you could really disrupt and turn on the power against the Kiwi pack.

Wales’ strength though will be running in the backs, but they will have to be ready to scrap for every morsel against the South Americans. They will have watched the tapes of Argentina against England, and have witnessed the strength in their games. This could be a good contrast in styles, as Argentina know that they can attack in the pack, and the Welsh know that they can attack with backs. With ball carrying in the packs being the dominant element of the game, it will be down to Wales to either improve on their scrimmaging, or keep the ball in open play as much as possible. They will be hoping to improve their record of having only won two of the last six meetings between the two teams.

Wales to win: 2/9 at Boylesports
Draw: 25/1 at Bet365
Argentina to win: 4/1 at SportingBet

IRELAND v FIJI
Dublin
Saturday, 21 November
Kick-off: 3.15 pm

Brian O’Driscoll scored a dramatic late try in last weekend’s encounter with Australia, to earn the Irish a well fought draw. The Irish, arguably the strongest of the home nations, have decided to ring in the changes for Saturday’s match against Fiji. Despite some of the first team regulars getting a well deserved rest, it will probably be a very strong Irish side still on display, and far too powerful and crafty for the Fijians. It should be a comfortable and domineering ride for the Irish on their home turf.

Fiji, who barely showed up in their 23-10 defeat against Scotland last weekend, have also made changes, in order to put a little fire in their bellies. But it means that it will be a weakened Fiji that takes to the field, something which their coach is bemoaning, insisting that some of their top players were stopped from going on tour by their clubs. Whatever the contraventions to IRB rules that would be if true, it all means that it will probably turn into something of an exhibition match for the Irish, and justifiably, they are seeing how some of the younger blood copes on the international stage. For the Irish, Jonathan Sexton steps in at Fly-Half, and will get his debut chance to see just how ready his is to fill in the massive boots of Ronan O’Gara.

Ireland to win: 1/25 at Stan James
Draw: 50/1 at Bet365
Fiji to win: 16/1 at PaddyPower

SCOTLAND v AUSTRALIA
Murrayfield Stadium
Saturday, 21 November
Kick-off: 5.15 pm

Scotland will be feeling bright after their win over Fiji last weekend, and the players that earned their win have all retained their places in the squad. Australia though, is of course, a bigger fish to fry than Fiji anyway, and the Scots, not the strongest of the home nations to be fair, should find the going tough against the Wallabies. There were two contrasting sides to Scotland last weekend, they were running well and getting creative in their attacking prowess, but lost their way completely in the second half, allowing Fiji to dominate them for sustained periods. If that happens again in the second half, then it will be an all too familiar result against the Australians.

Australia will be aware of the Scot’s strength in the middle of the park and rugged play up front, but these fixtures usually end up as a comfortable win for the southern hemisphere side. Chris Cusiter remains as captain for the home side, while the Australians are maintaining the same team which battled for a draw against Ireland last, all apart from George Smith coming back into the scrum. The draw against the Irish, ruined the Aussies chance for a grand slam over the home nations, but they can still return home unbeaten. For anything else to happen, the Scots, coached by Andy Robinson (yes, he of England, um, fame) will need to keep on top of their game for the entire 80 minutes to keep things close.

Scotland to win: 6/1 at Sporting Bet
Draw: 25/1 at Bet365
Australia to win: 2/9 at Totesport