France vs Canada (Stade de France, Paris, 14:30 GMT)
France come off the back of an enthralling test match draw with the mighty All Blacks last weekend, where had it not been for some shocking goal kicking by last weeks French fly-half, who is today replaced by Gerald Merceron.
Canada were involved in a scrappy defeat by Wales last week in a scrappy match where the referee was the dominant man in the middle. Last week, the astute goalkicking Jared Barker kept the Canadians in it, and he is replaced this week by the longest serving international player in world rugby, whose career has spanned over three decades. The goal kicking of Bob Ross will be vital today.
On the whole, a tough test for the Canadians, who will look to the experience of skipper Al Charron who is back to lead his country. They proved a few points to me last week, and showed that Canadians dont only play ice-hockey, baseball, and basketball, but posess a very dedicated international rugby team. Take the big start given by the bookies and run!
2 Point Win Canada (+39) at 10/11 with SportingOdds (Same line available with SportingBet)
Italy vs Australia (Genova, Italy, 15:30 GMT)
The hapless Italians make nine changes to the team hammered by the Argentinians last Saturday. Included in those losses is instrumental fly-half Diego Dominguez, who is a vital source of points for the Italians.
Australia, who threw away a big lead against England last week, field a strong team, bursting with world class talent. A notable swap is switching Stirling Mortlock to full-back, and bringing Matt Burke in at centre, and the effect this has will be interesting.
The fact that Argentina beat the Italians by thirty points last week, and that this week the Aussies face a similar handicap, is beyond me. I can only put it down to the wet conditions, the Aussies will face up in the Northern port of Genova. Despite, bad conditions playing to the advantage of the Irish a fortnight ago, in defeating the Aussies, there is no danger of a repeat. Too much class will not allow this, and it is hard to see where the Italians can score points with the loss of Diego Dominguez. A certain 2 point bet had it not been for the conditions, but I am still confident the Aussies can cover.
1 Point Win Australia (-32) at 10/11 with PaddyPower (Line also available with SportingOdds, SportingBet, and Bet365)
Ireland vs Argentina (Lawnsdowne Road, Dublin, 16:00 GMT)
Ireland again at full strength apart from the absence of skipper Keith Wood, who is still injured, so centre Brian O'Driscoll continues to deputise as skipper.
Irish rugby is on a crest of a wave at the moment. Irish provincial sides playing well in Europe,and the national team looking to extend their run of test wins to six with defeat of the Argentinans. There is no doubt that Argentina are fast becoming the improved tam of world rugby, and like their football counterparts, are now a major international force in World Rugby.
It is vital for Ireland not to become stuck in a forward battle with the Argies, which could prove dangerous. Instead, they must look to spread the ball to their talented backs, and release the likes of O'Driscoll, O'Gara and Horgan. If they do this, they cover the handicap of nine points.
1 Point Win Ireland (-8.5) at 9/10 with Tattersalls
Wales vs New Zealand (Millenium Stadium, Cardiff, 14:30 GMT)
Wales make one change to the team that struggled against Canada last weekend with lock Rob Sidoli coming into the second row. My beloved Welsh will be looking to end an amzing run of test defeats against the All Blacks that stretches back 49 years to 1953.
The All Blacks field five new caps, mainly in the forwards in a team that still has the talent of Lomu, Mehrtens, Umaga to turn to. The big man himself will be looking to end a scoreless streak against Wales.....how many international teams can say that about Jonah Lomu??
Perhaps an over reaction by the compilers, in only giving Wales a fifteen point start. This is mainly due to the new look All Blacks line up. But what people dont realise, is that Wales also have a handful of players who have only experienced test rugby against the minnows of the rugby world, and that they too are new to this class of international rugby. Bad pitch conditions, and a unfamiliar All Black line up reduces this to a 1 point bet, but I still fancy them defeating Wales by more than fifteen.
1 Point Win New Zealand (-15) at 10/11 with BlueSquare (Line also available with StanJames)
