by Ryan D Jaeger
England travel to Dublin to take a shot at their first Grand Slam since 2003.
The English team has not been in spectacular form but have found ways to win. A
surprisingly plucky Scottish team showed that there is still a long way to go
for Martin Johnson's charges.
England have lost their second captain so far this year with Mike Tindall
being ruled out due to an ankle injury. Nick Easter will take over the mantle
and Johnson will hope that the breakaway's "follow my lead" approach will be
enough to rouse his charges.
England's problems against Scotland started at the breakdown, both in defense
and attack. The Scots were able to exert a lot of pressure at the contact points
and the Irish will take note of this. The Scots also showed that the English
lineout isn't exactly watertight.
There is no question that the forward battle will be immense.
Ireland will still be filthy that a terrible refereeing decision cost them
the match against the Welsh last week. It's not the result, but they way that
the Irish lost that will worry English fans. This is the type of emotion that
Irish rugby thrives on and the very reason we are tipping an upset.
Ireland have been far from convincing. In fact they have been poor and
deserved to lose the opening match against the Italians, but they have held
psychological edge over the English over the last few years and will look to
exploit this.
The English back three pose a big threat for any team, but this game will be
won and lost in the trenches.
Most bookies have England a 6 point favourite which is very generous.
My tip is to back Ireland to win at 5/4 at
Bluesq.com (Receive a £10 free bet once you have staked £10).
On the margin, Ireland is priced at 5/1 to win by 1-5, also at
Bluesq.com.
At Bluesq you can get 11/8 on the Grand Slam market for there to be no
winner.
(If there money on offer at Betfair to back Ireland to win by less than 12.5,
I would be taking it .
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