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Your support makes all the difference.In a welcome reversal of the usual pattern, betting on rugby's Five Nations' Championship is far more interesting after three rounds of matches than it was at the start of the tournament. Three teams have a realistic chance of winning, while the betting on England's match at Murrayfield next week might as well be on the toss of a coin.
The surprise is that Scotland, unbeaten and playing at home, are not favoured either by Ladbrokes or Hills (Coral, strangely, have no prices at present). Ladbrokes offer 10-11 each of two (with the draw at 16-1) while Hills have Scotland at evens and England on 4-5, 14-1 the draw.
The reintroduction of Dean Richards into the England pack has sent a clear signal of intent - to squeeze the life out of the game and scrape a result by whatever means necessary. It may work, but at such odds it is not a risk worth taking.
More interesting, though, is the effect an England victory would have on outright betting on the tournament. Scotland, within one victory of the Grand Slam, are favourites at 8-11. Defeat on Saturday, however, would leave them with virtually no chance of finishing top, since points difference will separate the teams if they finish tied.
France would then be favourites, thanks to their crushing victory against Ireland. They would go to Cardiff two weeks later with everything to play for, while England would require either a French defeat, or a cricket- score win against Ireland. In the circumstances, Ladbrokes' offer of 15-8 against France looks too good to miss. It has more appeal than England's latest price for the cricket World Cup.
After yesterday's debacle against a Donald-less South Africa, they are 14-1 to win the tournament; 40-1 would be nearer the mark.
FIVE NATIONS' CHAMPIONSHIP: (Ladbrokes): 8-11 Scotland, 15-8 France, 5-1 England.
COCA-COLA CUP: (Ladbrokes): 8-13 Aston Villa, 5-4 Leeds.
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