England host France at Twickenham in the Six Nations on Saturday and the visitors come into the match as the favourites to win the title.
England v France, Saturday 8th February, Twickenham, KO 18:45 (South African time)
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (GRU)
Assistant Referees: Andrea Piardi (FIR), Damian Schneider (UAR)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU)
Weather Forecast – Twickenham
England
England were around 6.5 point underdogs for their opening round clash against Ireland in Dublin, a game they lost 27-22. A strong first half showing saw them lead 10-5 at half time and threaten a surprise but Ireland scored 3 tries from the 52nd to 72nd minute to go 27-10 up. A couple of late England tries narrowed the deficit but by that time the game was gone. Murley, Tom Currie and Freeman scored England's tries, Smith converted 2 and also landed a penalty.
In the Six Nations last year England finished third, they were the only side to beat Ireland who won the title and their fixture against France in Lyon in the final round saw them edged out 33-31.
In the outright betting markets with WSB England are currently 9/1 to win the title.
Fixtures & Results: R1 Ireland (a) lost 27-22, R2 France (h), R3 Scotland (h), R4 Italy (h), R5 Wales (a)
France
France thrashed Wales 43-0 in Paris in the opening round, easily covering the pre-match main handicap line of around 27.5 points. They scored 7 tries in total including a brace for Attissogbe and Bielle-Biarrey. Marchand, Gailleton, and Alldritt also crossed and 3 of the tries were set up by Antoine Dupont.
In the Six Nations last year France finished as runners up, 5 points behind Ireland with a record of 3 wins, 1 draw and 1 defeat. They lost their opening match at home to Ireland 38-17 before wins in Scotland (20-16), a 13-13 draw at home to Italy, a 45-24 victory in Wales and a 33-31 home win over England.
In the outright betting markets with WSB France are currently 21/20 favourites to win the title and 5/2 to land the Grand Slam
Fixtures & Results: R1 Wales (h) won 43-0, R2 England (a), R3 Italy (a), R4 Ireland (a), R5 Scotland (h)
Team News
England: 15 Marcus Smith, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 12 Henry Slade, 11 Ollie Sleightholme, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Alex Mitchell, 8 Tom Willis, 7 Ben Earl, 6 Tom Curry, 5 George Martin, 4 Maro Itoje (captain), 3 Will Stuart, 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 1 Ellis Genge.
Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Fin Baxter, 18 Joe Heyes, 19 Ollie Chessum, 20 Chandler Cunningham-South, 21 Ben Curry, 22 Harry Randall, 23 Elliot Daly
France: 15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Pierre-Louis Barassi, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Matthieu Jalibert, 9 Antoine Dupont (captain), 8 Gregory Alldritt, 7 Paul Boudehent, 6 Francois Cros, 5 Emmanuel Meafou, 4 Alexandre Roumat, 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Peato Mauvaka, 1 Jean-Baptiste Gros.
Replacements: 16 Julien Marchand, 17 Cyril Baille, 18 Georges-Henri Colombe, 19 Hugo Auradou, 20 Mickael Guillard, 21 Oscar Jegou, 22 Nolann Le Garrec, 23 Emilien Gailleton
Head to Head (6 Nations Only)
2024 6N Lyon France 33-31 England
2023 6N Twickenham England 10–53 France
2022 6N Paris France 25–13 England
2021 6N Twickenham England 23–20 France
2020 6N Paris France 24–17 England
2019 6N Twickenham England 44–8 France
2018 6N Paris France 22–16 England
2017 6N Twickenham England 19–16 France
The Betting
Updated 8 Feb 07h39
England +6.5 points
France -6.5 points
Note, odds quoted are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Betting Angle
Posted 6 Feb 07h23
There has been money for France with the opening -4.5 now generally -5.5 and touching -6.5 in places. The big move is in the points marlets though where the line opened at 44.5 and has moved to 48.5 and I am kicking myself for not getting France over 24.5 points which was highlighted in the forum.
Posted 8 Feb 07h46
The handicap appears to have settled at France -6.5.
The total points line is stable at 48.5 but while I fancy England can contribute it is France points I am interested in and the best lije I can find is over 27.5 at 9/10 at Hollywoodbets.
There is a chance of some light rain though and I am going to hold fire and will post any bet closer to kick off.
I will take an interest though and will follow my guest on Thursday nights show with a nibble on returning French winger Damian Penaud to score at leats 2 tries at 11/2.
BET: 1 unit Penaud 2 tries or more at 11/2 at Pokerbet
Posted 8 Feb 18h21
I have finally settled on France over 26.5 at 17/20
BET: 5 units France over 26.5 points at 17/20 at Betxchange
Note, odds are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
Subscribe to our free weekly betting mailer which will include our best and value bets below.
