RBS Six Nations Preview
Vincent Clerc’s late try sunk Irish hearts and their standing on Sporting Index’s Six Nations Outright Index. From clear favourites, they are now quoted as third favourites with a spread of 30-33. Is that a true reflection of how things will shape up the punters ask? O’Driscoll and Stringer are set to return against England, and with home advantage, they could overtake Brian Ashton’s side on the index. England are priced at 34-37 with the French out in front on 47-50. The index offers 60 points to the winner, 40 to second place, 20 to third, 10 to fourth place, five for fifth and 0 for sixth. Wilkinson and Robinson seem to be the only source of points for the English. It’s no wonder Sporting Index give Ireland the advantage on the supremacy market when these two lock horns. They’re tipped to win this by a 4 to 7 point margin. England could only muster the one try against the Italians and it’s tough to see them penetrating a bolstered Irish midfield at Croke Park. England’s total tournament tries spread has dropped with Sporting Index quoting a spread of 10.5-11.3 tries. Although questions remain over whether the French can pull off the clean sweep, the disappointing Welsh are expected to be brushed aside with ease by Sporting Index. Gareth Jenkins side are predicted to lose by a margin of 13 to 16 points.