World Cup Warm Ups - 6th August 2011

International Rugby union friendlies don’t seem like the best betting sport but the added caveat that World Cup is fast upcoming, full commitment is a given in these pre-season friendless. At Twickenham, England boss Martin Johnson has already trimmed his World Cup squad from 45 to 40, but 10 more names will eventually have to be cut.

With this comes fringe players and the most hype around any debutant on the international stage today is Manu Tuilagi, who pulls on a white shirt for the first time at the age of 20. The 20-year-old made a huge impact in his first season with Leicester, despite having punched his England team-mate Chris Ashton in a game against Northampton and being suspended for 5 games.

Martin Johnson’s side are the Six Nations champions, a title they haven’t held since 2003, and of course that year they went on to win the World Cup. A disappointing end to their Grand Slam hopes at the hands of Ireland has not tempered any enthusiasm and it has to be said that the England team do look in great shape.

Lewis Moody, back from a knee injury, Matt Stevens and Simon Shaw will all feature in and have a lot to prove while Full-back Delon Armitage will hope to redeem himself following recent misdemeanours.

Wales have lost 9 of their last 13 tests so it’s interesting to see them select some strong test for them to play against. After this double header they go onto face Argentina at the Millennium Stadium, and start today with an experience squad. Stand in Skipper Sam Warburton take the place of absence of injured hooker Matthew Rees while there are more than a few surprise additions and experienced talents in the Wales Squad Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts and Shane Williams present.

That said, home advantage makes England the side to beat and with everyone likely to make a big push for a team place backing them to win by 1-12 could prove the value call, as is provides a bigger price than the-10 pt handicap.

The 1-12 point margin may also be a value way to get with Ireland, who while still likely to make a lot of errors thanks to lack of match fitness (the Scottish should be fighting fit after their marathon pre-season) could have the class to get away with it at Murrayfield.

There are plenty of new faces for both sides, with Fergus McFadden and Paddy Wallace forming a new-look midfield partnership for Ireland,  but Ireland can still call on Johnny Sexton, with Dan Parks on the bench for Scotland and in a game of tight margins the call could be with the Irish.

Advice

1 pt England to win by 1-12 points (15/8 Stan James)

1 pt Ireland (11/10 general)

1 pt Ireland to win by 1-12 points (15/8 Stan James)