The World Rugby U20 Championship Betting Preview gets going in the Cape on Saturday and we take a look at some of the Outright Markets available to punters.
Let’s start with a look at the Outright Betting where hosts, South Africa are trading as 5/2 favourites. South Africa have only won this Tournament once and that was back in 2012 in Stellenbosch.
France are next in the betting at 28/10 and they certainly look like they are going to be a tough side to beat and have the pack to take control of games in what could be wet conditions. France were runners-up to Ireland in the U20 Six Nations. France have won this tournament twice in 2018 and 2019.
New Zealand are currently priced as 3/1 third favourites. They certainly have a tough group which includes Wales, France and Japan. New Zealand have not won the Tournament since 2017 although they have had 6 victories overall. In the build-up they were beaten by Australia.
Australia would have taken a lot out of that victory over New Zealand and they are currently priced at 5/1 to win the tournament. Australia have never won the Tournament, but were runner-up to France in 2019 and they have a very competitive group which includes England, Ireland and Fiji.
Ireland are the current U20 Six Nations Champions where they had a 100% record. All eyes will be on star fly-half, Sam Prendergast who many are speaking of as the successor to Johnny Sexton. Their best finish in this Tournament was a runner-up spot in 2016, but based on their Six Nations form they look like value at the current price of 8/1.
England are priced at 12/1 and it has been sometime since they have won this Tournament with the last of their 3 victories coming in 2016. They finished 3rd on the Six Nations U20 Log, winning 3 and losing 2 of their 5 matches and they suffered comprehensive defeats at home to France and away to Ireland in their last 2 matches of their Six Nations campaign.
Argentina are in Group C with South Africa, Italy and Georgia and they are priced at 20/1 to win the Tournament. Their best finish was 3rd place in 2016.
You can get 66/1 and better the balance.
Click here for the Outright Winner Betting
POOL BETTING
POOL A
Let’s take a look at the Pools now where France, New Zealand, Wales and Japan take each other on in Pool A and here we have France at 9/10 and New Zealand 11/10 with Wales and Japan at 20/1 and 33/1 respectively.
POOL B
Pool B is priced competitively with Australia 15/10, you can get 18/10 Ireland, 5/2 England and Fiji are the rank outsiders at 28/1.
POOL C
Hosts South Africa are the firm favourites at 2/7 to win Pool C with Argentina at 7/2 and Italy and Georgia are rank outsiders at 22/1 and 28/1 respectively.
A South Africa v France Final is trading at 4/1 and if, like me, you fancy Ireland for a deep run then the South Africa v Ireland Final is on offer at 25/2.
Click here for all of the long-term World Rugby U20 Championship Markets
Suggested Bet: I think the Irish have been under-estimated by the bookmakers and I am going to back them to win at 8/1.
Look out for our Preview of Matchday 1, taking place on Saturday 24 June, later in the week.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
