Scotland continue to struggle in the Six Nations and it gets no easier this Sunday as they welcome France. We’ve seen less of the French than expected this season due to the late postponement of their match a fortnight ago, but Les Bleus have an excellent record against this weekend’s opponents.
Can France continue their bid for a Grand Slam or can Scotland cause an upset at Murrayfield?
Football
It’s FA Cup fifth round weekend this season with several teams desperate for silverware.
Chelsea’s Andre Villas-Boas’ job could depend on winning a cup this season and his side are 3/10 to beat improving Birmingham at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
New France coach Phillipe Saint-Andre got off to a winning start last weekend as his side comfortably overcame Italy. However, it will be a tougher match for his team this weekend as the World Cup finalists welcome Ireland. Declan Kidney’s side are licking their wounds after a last-gasp home defeat to Wales, but can they secure their first win in France in over a decade?
It was a great start to the Six Nations for Wales last Sunday as they beat Ireland with the last kick of the game in the match of the weekend. Scotland didn’t fare as well, however, succumbing to a 13-6 defeat in their Calcutta Cup contest with England.
Can Scotland find a try from somewhere when they travel to Cardiff on Sunday or can Wales continue their excellent run of form?
Football
After their excellent comeback on Sunday against Chelsea, Manchester United face another title rival this weekend as they welcome Liverpool on Saturday lunchtime. United are 5/6 to win while their old enemy can be backed at 10/3.
A new look England side got off to a promising start in their 2012 Six Nations campaign after their first win over Scotland at Murrayfield since 2004. Stuart Lancaster’s team beat their old rivals on Saturday, but can they consolidate their good start to the tournament with an away win over Italy this weekend?
After one of the most unpredictable Superleague seasons in years finished with a Grand Final win for the Leeds Rhinos, it promises to be another intriguing campaign. A new sponsor, six new coaches and seven new captains hint at a potential change in the pecking order, but will it be the same sides dominating once again?
What better way for England and Scotland to open their Six Nations campaigns than with the 119th Calcutta Cup match? The old rivals meet at Murrayfield on Saturday with the home side desperate to avenge their narrow defeat at last year’s World Cup.
So, can Scotland win the Cup for the first time since 2008 or can a new look England get their 2012 off to a flyer?
They were two of the most attractive teams in last autumn’s World Cup and both Wales and Ireland made plenty of friends in New Zealand for their style of play and their excellent results.
Wales edged the meeting in October but the pair meet again on Sunday in their first Six Nations match of 2012. It promises to be a great game.
Football
It’s FA Cup fourth round weekend and the main match features two of football’s oldest rivals as Liverpool welcome Manchester United to Anfield on Saturday lunchtime. The home side are unbeaten this season in the Premier League but have drawn seven of their eleven games. United seem capable of grinding out results and are 7/4 to make the fifth round. A draw at 11/5 might be the best call.
France proved almost everyone wrong by reaching the World Cup Final last autumn and came within a couple of points of winning the tournament for the first time.
The tournament favourites kick off their 2012 Six Nations campaign with a home tie against Italy.
So, after the All Blacks finally won the World Cup for a second time, the attention of the rugby world moves to the Northern Hemisphere for the 118th annual championship featuring Europe’s top teams.
With Friday night matches having been shelved, the Six Nations matches return to their traditional Saturday and Sunday spots for what promises to be an open tournament.
