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EXPERT ANALYSIS BETTING GUIDE Left The Welsh were impressive during the autumn internationals and are expected to put up a strong title defence Wales is best priced 5/2 with Victor Chandler while Ladbrokes offer 6/1 on a Welsh Grand Slam. Wales face England at home in their second fixture and conclude with a home tie with Ireland on Saturday 21st March, but if they are to win the Grand Slam the key match will be their visit to the Stade de France to take on the French in a match to be played on Friday 27th Feb. England had an autumn to forget in 2008 under new coach Martin Johnson. He has gambled by recalling Mike Tindall and Mark Cueto but all the talk will be about Danny Cipriani. Hills offer 8/11 England use two number 10s during their five matches which suggests they favour Cipriani not lasting the Championship. The Cardiff encounter on Valentine’s Day against Wales will be a pivotal match for England who are 100/30 with Stan James to win the title while the same firm offer 8/1 on an English Grand Slam and it is generally 11/2 on an England Triple Crown. In the last five seasons England have been a hard side for punters to catch right in the Six Nations, covering the handicap only eight times in 25 matches. They begin their 2009 campaign against Italy whom they last played at Twickenham in 2007 winning 20-7 when starting 26 point favourites. I expect Martin Johnson’s side to start with a win but Italy are often underated by the odds compilers and could be the value with a twenty plus start. With three of five matches at Twickenham and away trips to Cardiff and Dublin, the importance of the Wales match cannot be over emphasized. France are 100/30 with Bet365 to win the Six NationsChampionship and a tempting 9/1 with William Hills for the Grand Slam. The French are always a huge danger and if they start with a win at Croke Park they will be serious title contenders. This clash against Ireland looks like a level match to me with the bookies likely to marginally favour Ireland because of home advantage. The French will play some attractive rugby this sping and their clashes with Wales in Paris and England at Twickenham on Sunday 15th March are both eagerly anticipated. Ireland are 7/2 for the Six Nations and the opening clash with France will determine their fate. Skybet offer 9/1 on an Irish Grand Slam and you can get 11/2 on an Irish Triple Crown which would require away wins in Scotland and Wales and a victory over England at Croke Park on February 28. Scotland have sold out at Murrayfield against Ireland on March 14 and are 20/1 for the title. They tend to have a better chance of landing the title in even numbered years when they entertain England and France at Murrayfield and they look set to struggle this season, while Italy are unlikey to mount a challange for the title but will be tough to beat, especially at home. The 2009 Six Nations looks wide open, which means there are opportunities for canny punters, with the best bet being the 8/13 with Hills on the Grand Slam not being won. And despite having to go to Twickenham on March 15, France are my selection to win the title at 7/2. n PRICES (SUBJECT TO CHANGE) SIX NATIONS 2009 TO WIN TITLE OUTRIGHT
Wales 2/1
England 11/4
France 7/2
Ireland 7/2
Scotland 20/1
Italy 50/1 TO WIN GRAND SLAM TO WIN TRIPLE CROWN No Winner 15/8 Wales 11/5 Ireland 4/1 England 5/1 Scotland 7/1 88 / CLASSIC SPORTS SERIES |