Italy v Wales Six Nations Rugby betting should produce an interesting encounter out on continental Europe. Italy famously took a win over the powerful French on the opening day of the 2013 Six Nations. That was a massive win for the Italians, who are usually scrapping to avoid the wooden spoon and will make the visit of Wales very interesting. However, the Italians were unable to capitalize on their strong Six Nations start, as they crumbled at Murrayfield against Scotland on the second weekend of action, without really looking as if they were going to get into the match at all. As much as their win against France was fully deserved, they really deserved the heavy 34-10 loss they suffered at Murrayfield. However, if they can rediscover the control and pressure they mustered up against France though, they could push the Welsh hard.
Italy v Wales Six Nations betting odds at online bookmaker Blue Square
Wales 2/7, Itally 11/4, Draw 22/1
So a mixed opening for Italy, who now find themselves in a big fight again with Scotland to avoid the wooden spoon. They really missed the chance to grab two opening wins for the first time ever in their Six Nations history. So can the Italians pick themselves back up? They may be without influential captain Sergio Parisse, who was sent off in a match for Stade Francais on the weekend, for allegedly insulting the match referee. The number eight, a world class player would be a massive loss for them, could miss the rest of the Six Nations this season if found guilty. So their early Six Nations momentum could have totally been lost already. It doesn’t help that they have lost the last five matches in a row against Wales as well.
Wales have also had a mixed start to the season, opening with a home defeat in Cardiff against Ireland, when defensively they looked very disorganised. To their credit though, they bounced back well on the second weekend of 2013 Six Nations betting to take a win out in Paris against France, preventing the French from crossing the try-line in a much better defensive effort. That snapped an eight match losing streak for the Welsh, who now have a nice fixture to try and keep that now momentum going. Captain Sam Warburton will be on the bench against Italy, as the Welsh stick with the same starting fifteen that beat the French in Paris. With a pretty decent history against the Italians, the Welsh go as strong favourites because even if they have defensive frailties, they have the far better attacking options at their disposal.
The Wales v Italy head to head stands in firm favour of the Welsh, who have taken 16 wins and just two losses and a draw from 19 matches played. Wales have won the last five on the bounce against Italy, including a big 24-3 win in last season’s Six Nations. Wales have also won on their last two trips to Paris, but lost 23-20 in March of 2007. Wales average a healthy 32 points per game against Italy, while in return, the Italians average 17 points per game against the Welsh. That gives Wales a good 15 point average difference when they come together, and it will be worth looking at a handicap therefore of Wales -8 at around Evens at online bookmaker Blue Square.
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