Search This Blog

Sunday, February 03, 2008

WALES SLASHED FOR SIX NATIONS TITLE

Wales have been slashed to 3/1 second favourites to win the Six Nations after they staged a fightback to beat England 26-19 for their first win at Twickenham in 20 years.

Wales scored 20 unanswered points in the space of just 13 second-half minutes - including tries from Lee Byrne and Mike Phillips - as England self-destructed.

England headed into the weekend's first round of games second in the betting at 15/8 but they've now drifted out to 9/2 fourth favourites.

France are not in action against Scotland until Sunday but they've still seen their price cut to 11/8 from 13/8 in the wake of this result. The Scots remain unchanged at 12/1.

Meanwhile Ireland have been trimmed to 7/2 from 4/1 after they made a hesitant start to their campaign with an unconvincing 16-11 victory over Italy.

Girvan Dempsey crossed in the 18th minute to hand Ireland an encouraging start and the kicking of Ronan O'Gara, who finished with 11 points, kept them in command, despite a spirited fightback from the visitors.