Six nations rugby resumes this weekend

The rugby union six nations championship restarts on Saturday, 12^th March, with Italy taking on France in Rome at 2.30pm, followed by Wales and Ireland at 5.00pm at the Millenium Stadium. Recent years have seen the Ireland rugby union team in the ascendancy in this fixture, but both teams have struggled to play to their potential so far in this campaign, with indiscipline the main cause for concern. Wales have conceded 40 penalties in their three six nations matches so far, and Ireland very nearly let Scotland back into the game at Murrayfield, conceding 13 penalties to Scotland’s 4, making the game a close result despite scoring 3 tries to nil. Generally speaking the bookmakers have Wales as slight favourites with home advantage, but it could be argued that Ireland have more to play for, with a win setting up the chance of the Triple Crown against England at the new Aviva Stadium the following Saturday. Gambling opportunities for six nations rugby union matches are offered by all the leading bookmakers, not just the match result, but winning margins, tries scored, points scored, and scorers to name just a few gambling chances. Both teams have the ability to score tries given quick ball, and both have excellent kickers to take advantage of penalties conceded in their opponent’s half, and this may well be the difference between winning and losing in what will probably be a close game. Ronan O’Gara is expected to start for Ireland and Thomas O’Leary is amongst twelve additions to the Irish squad for this match. It is thought that James Hook will also be fit to play for Wales, despite injury concerns during the week, and he will undoubtedly provide the flair to threaten the Irish defence. There are no easy games in the rugby union six nations championship and this year’s tournament has already thrown up some surprisingly close results.