6 Nations week 4

No recommendations this weekend I'm afraid just a few ideas. With Cheltenham and moving to England taking most of the attention this week I haven't had the time to research.

I backed Ireland -6.5pts yesterday myself which obviously came up, albeit with some nail biting involved. England v France is certainly an interesting game. Looking at the form lines Wales have probably showed they aren't the side they were last year in losing to France who looked much better with Parra at scrum half, still France only seem to have one big game followed by a disappointment.

Le Rostbiffs love to ruin France's day however I find they are too short at 2.16. What is interesting is that fact that most bookies have France -2 at 1.91 while you can back them for a straight win at 1.96 on Betfair. You are getting a strong 20% better price on Betfair which you don't see that often for the Betfair rugby markets. I'll be taking advantage of it anyway as I think France will win as they need something out of this season.

If you did fancy France to really open up and play the 3.5 for France -10 on Ladbrokes might also be tempting. Also worth a tickle is Flood v Trin Duc, click here to view market. With England most likely to concede another raft of penalties Trin Duc is a decent shot to come out top at 2.04-2.2.

Best of luck.

Magners League weekend 03/03/2009

After this weekends action Profit Currently: 710.18 or 7.1pts. A 7.07% ROI (posted 08/3/2009)

Ulster v Glasgow

Not much time for a write up unfortunately.

Ulster have a strong squad again. The weather isn't great but they should have home advantage and a much stronger pack to make this easily controllable. Glasgow made a late comeback after Cardiff switched off (which they did in the first half last night again).

If it was a nice day for rugby I would have Ulster -12pts and probably punt on the alternative handicap markets but the weather will probably keep it respectable. Glasgow haven't won away since September and are missing a more players through the Internationals

Recommendation: Ulster - 8pts on Boyles or Ladbrokes @1.91 for 1.5pts Won

06/03/2009

Another second string Magners league weekend, where hopefully knowledge is power. I personally find these games great because you get to see emerging players and also see if some squad players are worth their weight in cider.

The Hairsprey's Lite vs. Leinster

I was quite surprised by the handicap line for this game and quickly snapped up the minus 2pts on offer for Leinster by Ladbrokes yesterday evening. Two weeks ago Leinster went over to the Scarlets and got a massive result, winning by two converted tries. Granted it wasn't the greatest Scarlets however this weekend neither is this vintage Ospreys.

Most importantly the Osprey's haven't been playng great this season. They have got results in the league, but mainly by avoiding defeat against poor teams. Tonight Ryan Jones has said these young players will shine as Ospreys are missing 12 first teamers. After watching them against Connacht (the team with the worst away record in the Magners league) they are far from the finished product. They were lucky to lead at half time and only won by 12 points.

Leinster on the other hand are missing only three first teamers and two weeks ago put in a very professional performance and returned to scoring ways. Their new scrum half looked capable, McFadden (as I predicted) played a blinder and Healy proved that he should really be on the Irish 22 soon.

The mid international games are always tricky, but with Osprey's essentially putting up a completely different team to their first team Leinster look worthy favourites. I was suprised with how short the handicap was, I expected minus 7 for Leinster but then again I'm a believer.

Recommendation:- Leinster - 2.5pts @1.9 for 2 points with Betfair , Leinster Halftime/Fulltime 2.62 for 1pt with Ladbrokes and finally Leinster -11pts @3.25 pts for 0.5pts on Ladbrokes.

For some other opinions here for this weekend's game, click here.

Connacht v Cardiff

Connacht need a morale boosting win and 6.30 before the 'daggs' seems to sap the life out of opposing teams. They are practically full strength against a Cardiff side who are missing sprinklings of their first team.

Cardiff were very rusty lask week, sprinting off into a big lead but then letting a weakend Glasgow get back at them. I think the bookies are a little skimpy on the handicap for Connacht here, possibly because they viewed them as keeping it respectable against the Osprey last week. While I thought the Ospreys were just not up to it.

Recommendation: No bet.