Ireland look to capitalise as Wales face their toughest test

Key statistics for this weekend’s three Six Nations matches

Photo Credit: Dylan Martinez/WPA ROTA/PA

Ireland and Wales have won their opening two games but both face tough tests this weekend as Wales travel to France and Ireland host England. If one of the two slip up this weekend it will leave them at a massive disadvantage when they meet on the final weekend. Here are all the important statistics:

France v Wales (8.05pm, Friday, BBC2)
Wales have now won eight straight Six Nations matches but they lost 32-21 on their last trip to France two years ago. Even more worryingly for the tournament’s favourites is the fact that they have won just two of their last eight matches against Les Bleus. Since 2002, France have won seventeen of their nineteen Six Nations home games so the 2.46 that Betfair are offering on them triumphing shouldn’t be sniffed at.

Scotland v Italy (3pm, Friday, BBC1)

Posted: February 27th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

France pay the price for sticking with Domenech

Les Bleus’ World Cup prospects are getting worse by the week

France’s 0-0 draw at home to Uruguay last night means that they have now won just six of their sixteen matches since November last year. That doesn’t bode well considering Italy went eighteen games unbeaten prior to the 2006 World Cup and Brazil won six and drew won of their final seven games before lifting the trophy in 2002.

Head coach Raymond Domenech’s sacking appeared a mere formality after they suffered group stage elimination at Euro 2008 but he was surprisingly kept on. Prior to last night’s game there was a threat that the game would be called off if Uruguary booed France’s national anthem but the only jeering heard came from the French fans in the direction of Domenech and his players.

Check out our graph of just how much France’s World Cup odds with Betfair have drifted over the last three months after the jump:

Posted: November 23rd, 2008 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment