England v Wales and France v Scotland are Saturday's headline Rugby World Cup warm up matches and @Olimp_SA have a preview including betting tips
As the 2023 RWC draws closer the pressure mounts on International teams to get their gameplan and combinations right and “The Don” takes a look at the 2 Internationals taking place in England and France on Saturday and looks to profit from them.
France v Scotland
France rested many of their star players in Scotland last week but they still built up a 21-3 lead before the Scots game back to win 25-21 with the French not troubling the scorers in the 2nd half.
After being defeated in Murrayfield last weekend, Fabien Galthie has made 13 changes to his starting lineup that will face Scotland again this weekend, with only Cameron Woki and Paul Boudehent keeping their places in the starting XV. Dupont returns at 9 to captain the side.
Scotland have opted to make only make six changes to the team that managed to grasp the win against France, with one of those changes seeing Scottish captain Jamie Ritchie return to the field after a calf injury.
Head-to-Head
2023 RWC (WU) Edinburgh Scotland 25-21 France
2023 6N Paris France 32-21 Scotland
2022 6N Edinburgh Scotland 17-36 France
2021 6N Paris France 23-27 Scotland
2020 6N Edinburgh Scotland 28-17 France
Verdict
This French team will be a different proposition for the Scots and with both the home ground advantage and a strengthened starting XV France should be able to turn the tables this weekend in Saint-Etienne.
The handicap is -17.5 at the time of writing and that seems high as while I expect a French victory this Scottish team are capable of staying in the contest.
THE DONS PLAY
France to win by 8-14 points inclusive at 3.58
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England v Wales
England lost 9-20 defeat to Wales in Cardiff last Saturday with the home team coming back from 3 points down at half time to win the match.
With 11 changes to their starting lineup, England will want to prove themselves more than ever, especially after their try-less display in Cardiff last weekend. They have brought back a number of their big guns including captain Farrell who pulls on the 10 jersey.
Wales too have a very different team who will be playing this weekend with 15 changes to the team who will be travel to Twickenham to face England. Wales are yet to announce their RWC squad, so the players will be eager to perform so that they can secure their spots in the 2023 RWC.
Head-to-Head
2023 RWC (WU) Cardiff Wales 20-9 England
2023 6N Cardiff Wales 10-20 England
2022 6N Twickenham England 23-19 Wales
2021 6N Cardiff Wales 40–24 England
2020 6N Twickenham England 33-30 Wales
Verdict
With two much changed teams playing this weekend a very different game is expected. With England playing at Twickenham, they should have the advantage over this revamped Welsh side and I expect a home win. I am not convinced it will be as big as the bookmakers are suggesting though (England are -13.5) and I am going to back the English to win by 7 points or less.
THE DONS PLAY
England to win by 1-7 points inclusive at 4.28*
*All prices ae subject to change, decimal odds used
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