It’s a rugby-dominated weekend four-timer, and we’re really going out on a limb. A tenner here could – we say ‘could’ – rake in a frankly obscene €482.
England to beat Scotland @ 8/11
Okay, it’s the first game of the tournament, and okay, Scotland are at home, and okay, England are going into the tournament under a bit of a cloud. But still, it’s Scotland. They mightn’t be as bad as they once were, but they’ll be lucky to avoid the wooden spoon.
England have loads to prove after the debacle that was the World Cup. I expect them to make it a winning start against the blunt Scots.
Jonathan Davies to score a try at any time (Ireland v Wales) @ 11/2
Ireland are favourites to win this game, but that’s primarily because of home advantage – anyone who got up at 6am for the World Cup quarter-final between the sides just three months ago can’t have forgotten how much better Wales were there, surely?
Reason to worry, No 1: We’re missing Brian O’Driscoll. Reason to worry, No 2: The Wales centre pairing is one of the strongest in the world. Jamie Roberts is brilliant at 12, but Jonathan Davies can be explosive outside him. At 11/2 he’s a nice price to cross at any stage.
France to cover the handicap (France -21 to beat Italy) @ Evens
France reached the final of the Rugby World Cup almost by default but they have a new coach in the great Phillippe Saint-Andre and they’re at home to a side they always tonk at home. And Italy don’t even seem too intent on damage limitation – their own new coach, Frenchman Jacques Brunel, seems to be intent on an expansive gameplan. Heaven help them.
We have rundowns on all the teams – the star men, up-and-comers and, most importantly, the WAGs to watch – over in our Six Nations section.
New York Giants to win the Superbowl @ 23/20
I’ve tapped up resident US Sports nut Sean Nolan. He had a close look at the Superbowl earlier in the week.
“Super Bowls usually come down to which team has the best QB,” he wrote. “Before this year [Tom] Brady would get the benefit of the doubt every time. He has won three of these already. But this year Eli [Manning] has been immense, throwing for almost 5,000 yards and being calm, collected and decisive under pressure … He has simply out Brady-ied Brady this year.”
Click here for Sean Nolan’s full Superbowl preview
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ podcast – listen to the latest episode now!
