6 Nations Round 1 + other rugby 5-8 Feb

A good weekend for me with both newsletter plays, Lions overs and Sharks ML landing 

This week the 6 Nations gets going a tournament I always enjoy 

Here are the current handicaps - I will get the blog going with some long term plays tomorrow 

• France v Ireland: France -12.5 | Points 50.5
• Italy v Scotland: Scotland -9.5 | Points 48.5
• England v Wales: England -29.5 | Points 54.5

Come on, Wales +29.5 is too high!  The All Blacks could not exceed that handicap only a few months ago and Wales scored 4 tries against them. So we will score against these over rated Orcs! 

Looking forward to the Six Nations!

Also think the Wales cap too high, but hoping for an early England try and take around +32.5 in-running for safety.  Leaning towards Italy +9.5. Had it not been for a long injury list (Capuozzo, Todaro, Negri, Vintcent, Allan, Lucchesi, Riccioni), I would've given the Italians a solid winning chance. I feel a losing bp is still well within Italy's reach. 

France v Ireland still undecided. Irish also coping a long injury list and news from the camp not really inspiring. Loosehead props Porter, McCarthy and Boyle all out. Keenan, Hansen, Nash, Baird, Jimmy O'Brien and Henshaw all ruled out.

Big talking point for the French is the return of their talisman Dupont with Fickou, Penaud and Alldritt being left out. Flament unavailable for personal reasons. Backup 9 Lucu ruled out with injury. 

Early bet: Italians often start like a house on fire and then lose it somewhere in the second half. HT/FT Italy/Scot @ 9/2 with WSB

Looking forward to see the experts picks here on the forum. 

WSB with early betting out for the First Round of Super Rugby 

Highlanders +7.5 v Crusaders
Waratahs +5.5 v Reds
Drua -8.5 v Moana
Blues +2.5 v Chiefs
Force +5.5 v Brumbies

Early stand outs for me: Tahs, Chiefs and Force to win

 

Guys I am not going to do a blog for the 6 Nations but will post updated in the match previews - on that note the Thursday start is an interesting one - The Handicap show will basically be a pre-match build up to France v Ireland 

The Mossman a confirmed starter and I will be picking his brain for early Super Rugby thoughts