England prepare for French Six Nations decider

WALES ARE 1/5 to beat Italy with Ladbrokes in the first game of the Six Nations this weekend.

Italy (1/4 for the Wooden Spoon) are 7/2 to record a victory over Wales, with the draw priced up at 22/1. Italy are also 10/11 to benefit from a ten-point start on the handicap.

The next game of the afternoon, billed by many as the Championship decider, sees England (8/11 for the Six Nations) take on France (6/5). It’s 4/9 that the English win at Twickenham with France 7/4 chances and the draw can be backed at 18/1. England have to cover five points on the handicap at the usual price of 10/11.

Ireland travel to face Scotland on Sunday and it’s 2/5 they prevail with the Scots priced at 15/8. Scotland have a mathematical chance of winning the championship this year but must overcome odds of 500/1 to do so with a bottom-placed finish more likely at 3/1.

Both Brian O’Driscoll and Shane Williams could break the tournament all-time try scoring record (24) this weekend and they can be backed at 33/1 each to do so. Chris Ashton is also 2/1 to score at any time against France and celebrate with his trademark ‘swallow-dive’.

Alex Donohue of Ladbrokes said: “All eyes will be on Twickenham this Saturday and we expect the winner of this game to kick on and secure the Championship. The odds indicate the wooden spoon is heading to Italy again but a decent performance against Wales could avert that with Scotland also in danger should they lose against Ireland.”

Ladbrokes latest betting

Match odds
Italy – 7/2
Draw – 22/1
Wales – 1/5

England – 4/9
Draw – 18/1
France – 7/4

Scotland – 15/8
Draw – 18/1
Ireland – 2/5

Handicap
Italy (+10) – 10/11
Draw – 16/1
Wales – 10/11

England (-5) – 10/11
Draw – 16/1
France – 10/11

Scotland (+6) – 10/11
Draw – 16/1
Ireland – 10/11

Six Nations Winner
England – 8/11
France – 6/5
Ireland – 22/1
Wales – 28/1
Scotland – 500/1

Grand Slam
England – 15/8
France – 2/1
No winner – 11/8

Triple Crown
England – 8/11
Ireland – 9/2
No winner – 15/8

Wooden Spoon
Italy – 1/4
Scotland – 3/1
Wales – 33/1
Ireland – 40/1

Specials
Chris Ashton to score at any time and celebrate with a ‘swallow dive’ – 2/1
Brian O’Driscoll to break the Six Nations tryscoring record of 24 this weekend – 33/1
Shane Williams to break the Six Nations tryscoring record of 24 this weekend – 33/1