France vs Scotland
The Six Nations is down to the last match of the tournament and we still don’t know who the winner will be. This is the most exciting championship that I have watched with Wales and France possible champions. In order for France to win the title they need to score at least 4 tries to get the bonus point and beat Scotland by more than 20 points. This is a tough ask against a very good Scotland side. France will have to do this without the suspended lock Paul Willemse and the injured Matthieu Jalibert, both vital cogs in the France team. Wales will be backing Scotland to do them a huge favour but if France does take the title then Wales have only themselves to blame when they allowed France to score two tries in the last 4 minutes and beat them. This match promises to be open affair as France goes in search of tries and this could play into the Scotland’s hand as they prefer an open game. France have great attacking players like Brice Dulin and Anton Dupont who can tear teams apart but Scotland can hurt them on the counter attack through Stuart Hogg and Duhan Van Der Merwe. Scotland has shown for many years that they not very good travelers and they will be keen to lose that unwanted tag. France on the other hand has not won the Six Nations since 2010 are will be desperate to win by over 20 points.
TIP: The Scots have shown that they have a new found steel to their forward pack and in years gone by this were seen as their Achilles heel. Their backline was always exciting and this year they look the real deal but I can’t see them beating the French as the home team is playing for the championship. France will win this match but the question remains, can they win by more than 20 points and overtake Wales? My answer is YES I believe with so much on the line the French will be up for the challenge and therefore I expect the French win. The odds on the French win are very poor at 1.12 but the handicap (-16.5) is good value. Worldsportsbetting is offering France on the handicap (-16.5) at 1.90. Sunbet and Unibet both are offering the same handicap at 1.89.
HEAD TO HEAD STATS
France vs Scotland
- The last 6 matches between the two are tied with 3 wins apiece.
- In the last 10 encounters only once has the home team lost.
- France last lost at home to Scotland 22 years ago.
Latest results for both teams
Scotland won their last game against Italy 52-10 while France won their last game against Wales 32-30.
PREDICTION
Scotland will be playing for pride in this re arranged fixture while France has the championship title on the line. There is no doubt that the more fired up team will be the home team. France will still be on the emotional rollercoaster after their Houdini-like escape against the Welsh. This energy will drive them to put in a performance that I predict will see them lift the Six Nations crown. In order to do this they need to win by more than 20 points and I believe they are going to overcome that barrier.
- Probable Starting XVs
Scotland
15 Stuart Hogg (c), 14 Darcy Graham, 13 Chris Harris, 12 Sam Johnson, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Ali Price; 1 Rory Sutherland, 2 George Turner, 3 Zander Fagerson, 4 Sam Skinner, 5 Adam Gilchrist, 6 Jamie Ritchie, 7 Hamish Watson, 8 Matt Fagerson.
France
15 Brice Dulin, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Virimi Vakatawa, 12 Arthur Vincent, 11 Gael Fickou, 10 Romain Ntamack, 9 Antoine Dupont, 8 Gregory Aldritt, 7 Charles Ollivon (c), 6 Anthony Jelonch, 5 Swan Rebbadj, 4 Bernard le Roux, 3 Mohamed Haouas, 2 Julien Marchand, 1 Cyril Baille
Odds for this bet
There isn’t much value on a French outright victory therefore I’m confident they can overcome the handicap (-16.5). Best odds on that handicap are as follows:
Worldsportsbetting 1.90
Sunbet 1.89
Unibet 1.89
Odds comparison on a French handicap( -16.5) win
A French handicap (-16.5) win is priced at:
Worldsportsbetting 1.90
Sunbet 1.89
Unibet 1.89
Supabets (-15.5) 1.90
Predictions and Odds in details
This is the final game and you couldn’t have scripted a more exciting end to the Six Nations. I’m expecting an exciting open game with plenty of tries. We all know that it depends on which French team turns up on the day as they can blow hot one match and be really poor in the next. Fabian Gathie the French coach has certainly changed that and if France can remain disciplined they will win this game by more than 20 points and become champions. There are some outside bets offered by Sunbet on France winning by more than 18 points and the odds are good at 2.08 while Worldsportsbetting is offering 2.20 on France winning by more than 19 points. Both these bets offer good value for the punter.
Sports crazy fan that follows all major sport but the game with the oval ball is my real passion. Was an age level rugby coach and a huge supporter of the Springboks and diehard Liverpool man. I’m an experienced punter and sports writer whose predictions/tips are sure to stir up the emotions. I love the occasional wager on the underdog.
