Ireland vs England – Bet on England to replicate 2003
Published:England secured their last Grand Slam with a victory in Ireland in 2003 and although they have largely struggled against the opposition since, Martin Johnson’s team can be supported to get the job done this year.
Match Odds
It is 4/7 in the Six Nations betting that England secure victory at the Aviva Stadium and ensure they finish this year’s competition with a 100 per cent winning record from their five games.
England have not been especially dominant in the Six Nations, but have always done enough to see off the opposition, which was proven by their edgy victory over Scotland at Twickenham in their latest game.
Meanwhile, there are plenty of reasons why Ireland will be especially up for the clash.
Not since 1999 have Ireland gone a Six Nations tournament without winning at home and they have already fell to a marginal defeat against France this season.
Furthermore, they may still be smarting from the controversy surrounding their defeat to Wales in their last game and wounded animals are always said to be the most dangerous.
Ireland have triumphed in six of their last seven Six Nations meetings with England and are 13/8 to ensure that Wales still have an outside chance of becoming champions.
Handicap betting
All of Ireland’s matches in this year’s Six Nations have been close, with no game settled by any more than six points, and there is no reason to suggest that their fixture with England will be any different.
Furthermore, there has been no more than a four-point gap in either of England’s last two Six Nations games with Ireland.
Therefore, the value can be found in the handicap market, with England’s betting odds of 4/6 to win even when giving Ireland a two-point start potentially looking the best value.
Those willing to take more of a risk may be tempted by the 11/10 on offer of an England win after giving up a six-point start.
A £20 stake on Ireland’s Brian O’Driscoll being the first try scorer would return £280. New customers can sign up here to take advantage of free bets totalling up to £60.
