Six Nations round two treble

Best bets come on the handicap

Going into the second round of fixtures from this year’s Six Nations tournament, and if we get anything like the drama witnessed when the curtain went up last Saturday, we’re in for a gripping weekend.

Wales deserve respect

England enhanced their fantastic winning run to 15 in-a-row last weekend. They were not without their problems however, looking seriously out of shape in the first-half and having to come from behind to break French hearts, courtesy of a 19-16 result. They won’t get away with that again.

The Red Rose got the win though, that’s what they do, and they also overcame what is expected to be their toughest rivals, getting it out the way in the first week. Wales went through the motions against Italy, running out 33-7 victors, and although they were largely untested, it would have been the perfect confidence booster. Take them to win at 10/11 with a five-point leg-up.

Perfect tonic for Ireland

Ireland suffered a slow start at Murrayfield last week and never recovered, going down to Scotland 27-22. They will take it on the chin and move on, confident in the fact that they have what appears to be a gimme in week two, if they can get going from the first whistle.