by Renee Israel
In their Rugby World Cup match on Saturday in New Zealand, Scotland have to
beat England - the 1/6 odds-on favourites at Ladbrokes - by their biggest
margin in 25 years if they hope to move ahead in the epic rugby competition.
The match will take place at Eden Park on Saturday, and comes hot on the
heels of Scotland's narrow 13-12 loss to Argentina on Sunday.
England are currently sitting confidently at the top of Pool B, but they have
to beat Scotland in order to remain in the Rugby World Cup race.
Ladbrokes is currently offering odds of 1/6 that England will beat Scotland
on Saturday, while Scotland's odds are 4/1 to beat England, while 20/1 is being
offered for a draw. As such, this game is expected to attract a lot of Rugby
World Cup betting action at the top online sportsbook.
England's Delon Armitage said in an interview this week: "It is going to be
massive, the biggest game of my career. This is a Rugby World Cup. You lose, you
go home. You win you progress."
"We know how Scotland can come at us," he said. "Every year they came and try
and turn us over, but we will be ready for it."
Armitage said that the team was not thinking of what might happen. They were
just thinking about playing Scotland and trying to get the best result. "Our
focus is to go in there ready to play a Test match against a tough Scotland team
who need to win," he said. "We have to be ready for it."
Scotland Fired Up to Win Match Against England
The Scottish side arrived in Auckland on Tuesday, fired up to win the match
and continue its track record of being one of two of the home unions with the
distinction of having reached the quarter finals of every Rugby World Cup.
Andy Robinson, coach for Scotland, said: "We have got rid of our frustrations
in the last 24 hours and we are now focusing on England."
"There is a real vibrancy about the team and everybody understand that our
destiny is still in our control. We have to put in a top performance against
England and, contrary to what a number of people write about them, they are a
quality team."
"They won the Six Nations and they have got a good blend to the way they
play," he said. "They have conceded just one try in the tournament so far, so
they have defended well and are well organised."
Ladbrokes half time/full time England vs Scotland odds:
England/England 1/2
England/Draw 50/1
England/Scotland 12/1
Draw/England 16/1
Draw/Draw 66/1
Draw/Scotland 33/1
Scotland/England 6/1
Scotland/Draw 50/1
Scotland/Scotland 5/1
