Six Nations Round Three Betting

The Floundering French vs. The Worried Welsh

The days of journalists saying “Who knows which French side will turn up”, or mentioning “Gallic flair” are almost up. The French have underperformed and ground out minimal wins over the last few seasons, despite the players available, but they have one last shot to prove people wrong this weekend.

Philippe Saint-Andre has got rid of the dead wood to name an exciting looking team and they have the French crowd behind them as they welcome Wales, who have a point to prove after a dismal showing against the English and a lucky win over Scotland.

Saint Andre has dropped Mathieu Bastareaud, the main weapon in rounds one and two, and replaced him with Castres centre Remi Lamerat. He was named Top14’s 2013-14 Revelation of the Season and he is currently 6/1 to score anytime. Sofiane Guitoune also comes in to the squad, with wicked pace and a killer step, he is 12/1 to score first.

The French are 4/1 to squeeze out a win by 1-5 points, while the more adventurous may be tempted by 6-10 points at 9/2 or 11-15 points at 13/2. My best bet? France to be buoyed on by the home crowd and a French try to be the first scoring play at 5/1.

Wales are well known for starting poorly in the Six Nations but finishing with a flourish. A Welsh win at 27/20 is an exciting prospect, as is a victory with an alternative -2.5 handicap at 7/5. With two tries to his name already this campaign, Rhys Webb is 12/1 to grab the first try of the game, while the ever-impressive Liam Williams is 14/1 to score the last try.

22-year-old George North becomes the youngest ever player to reach 50 test caps and there is talk about him being the first player to ever reach 200. He has scored two tries against the French in the past (who remembers his dad invading the pitch when he scored two years ago at the Stade de France?), and he is 10/1 for both first, and last tryscorer. My best bet? Wales to win by 6-10 points at 6/1.