England head northern hemisphere charge despite blowing slam
Published:England may have blown their chance at a second Grand Slam in nine years but there is plenty of cause for optimism according to the World Cup odds.
In a Six Nations championship that hardly sent the shivers down the Southern Hemisphere sides, England have remained solid in the betting for the 2011 World Cup as none of the Northern Hemisphere sides failed to make an impression.
England are 8/1 to win the World Cup with France available at 12/1 despite Marc Lievremont’s position being under immense scrutiny.
Ireland pulled off the performance of the championship when beating England on Saturday and as a result are 40/1 to win the World Cup with Wales, who disappointed in France, available at 50/1.
Unsurprisingly Wooden Spoon winners Italy are the outsiders of the Six Nations teams at 1000/1, but Scotland have it all to do in a group that includes England and Argentina and Andy Robinson’s side are 150/1 to win the tournament.
With home advantage New Zealand are obviously in a strong position to do well and they are the 4/5 favourites with Australia 4/1 and South Africa 6/1.
Considering the performances of the northern hemisphere sides in the Six Nations, the southern hemisphere sides are rightly expected to do well but with the Tri Nations finishing 13 days before the World Cup, there is a big chance that one of the three could suffer from burnout.
Ladbrokes are offering prices on sides making the quarter-final, semi-final and final and with South Africa facing a potential semi-final with New Zealand, the All Blacks (4/11) and Australia (11/8) are the two sides favoured to reach the final.
But considering the victory over Australia in the Autumn Internationals, England will be confident should they face Australia in the semi-final and Martin Johnson’s side are more than capable of reaching the final and are 11/4 to do so.
A £20 stake on England winning the World Cup would return £180. New customers can sign up here to claim up to £60 in free bets.
