Only two games greet us for the Six Nations Rugby Championship this week but both look set to be entertaining battles nonetheless.
The Italians host Ireland while the Welsh face England and the best bets in the game are below.
italy v ireland
february 28th 1:15am
The two winless teams of the Six Nations tournament go head to head on Sunday as Ireland makes the trip to the Stadio Olimpico in a do or die battle against Italy.
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell will be pleading with his troopers for an impressive display as his ailing side lick their wounds after two close defeats to Wales and France, the latter of which came at home.
It will take more than a win over the perennial underdogs Italy to change the luck of the Irish. There is growing unrest and a perception that the coach in Ireland may be nearing his end with the squad. Nonetheless, a win here could help salvage some confidence and respectability for coach and team.
Italy showed glimpses of brilliance last time out, scoring tries in a much more rounded and convincing manner than their occasional consolation points in earlier fixtures.
Head coach Franco Smith would have been delighted by what some of his youngsters showed against England, despite being beaten 41-18.
It is not often teams take confidence out of a loss but having matched with rugby powerhouse England for prolonged periods of time it will be fascinating to see how that form manifests itself on Sunday.
A match between a confident underdog and an under-pressure visiting giant here should see a slightly smaller win for Ireland than their usual 30+ displays against the Azzurri.
Ireland will notch up its first win of the tournament but given the form the Italians showed against England the 21.5 looks rather inflated.
Suggested Bets: Italy to cover the +21.5 handicap at $1.90
Italy to score the first try at $3.15
wales v england
february 28th 3:45am
Tournament bolter Wales welcome nextdoor neighbours England to the Millenium Stadium when the two nations do battle on Sunday morning.
England bounced back from a disappointing opening Six Nations loss to Scotland with a vibrant, if still rather dodgy, 41-18 victory at home to Italy, scoring six tries while Wales scored a memorable 25-24 upset win over Scotland.
20-year-old Welsh rising star Louis Rees-Zammit was a standout and repaid the faith shown in him by under-pressure coach Wayne Pivac.
Rees-Zammit scored two tries in the famous victory to lock his spot in the side against England and likely beyond.
A chance for the Triple Crown is on offer if it defeats England having already accounted for Ireland with a 21-16 triumph prior to the brilliant win against Scotland.
Some may suggest the Welsh side has been a tad fortuitous in its two games to date with Pivac’s men being the beneficiaries of a red card to both Scotland and Ireland.
But there is no-denying the confidence brewing in the Welsh camp and they get an English squad who look a touch vulnerable.
England’s win against tournament underdogs Italy was comfortable enough in the end but the Azzurri got through the English defence in concerningly easy ways to score 18 points.
Coach Eddie Jones and his English side will have definitely welcomed the two week break to work on tightening up their defensive strategies.
Wales were written off by many in the lead up to this tournament but have proved otherwise and momentum is all-too important in a tournament of this calibre.
It should be a tight game but Wales looks great value to win this and complete a famous Triple Crown.
Suggested Bet: Wales head to head at $2.90
