France host Australia in Paris on Saturday night and we take a look at what should be a cracking fixture from a betting angle.
The French were last in action in the middle of the year when they toured Japan winning both test matches by 19 and 5 points respectively. They have been in dominant form in the Six Nations finishing with a 100% record and they have shortened to 5/2 favourites for the Rugby World Cup hosted in France in 2023.
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FRANCE TEAM
15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Gael Fickou, 12 Jonathan Danty, 11 Yoram Moefana, 10 Romain Ntamack, 9 Antoine Dupont (c), 8 Gregory Alldritt, 7 Charles Ollivon, 6 Anthony Jelonch, 5 Thibaud Flament, 4 Cameron Woki, 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Julien Marchand, 1 Cyril Baille
Replacements: 16 Peato Mauvaka, 17 Dany Priso, 18 Sipili Falatea, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Kilian Geraci, 21 Sekou Macalou, 22 Maxime Lucu, 23 Matthieu Jalibert
The Wallabies had to withstand some nerve wracking moments in their Test against Scotland last week where a missed Scottish penalty saw the Wallabies home 16-15.
Australia had mixed results in the Rugby Championship and they won 1 and lost 2 of their away matches. They will be looking for improvement from last year in their November International results as they lost to Scotland, England and Wales.
AUSTRALIA TEAM
15 Jock Campbell, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Lalakai Foketi, 11 Tom Wright, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nic White, 8 Rob Valetini, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Jed Holloway, 5 Cadeyrn Neville, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 David Porecki, 1 James Slipper (captain).
Replacements: 16 Folau Fainga’a, 17 Matt Gibbon, 18 Tom Robertson, 19 Will Skelton, 20 Pete Samu, 21 Jake Gordon, 22 Hunter Paisami, 23 Reece Hodge
HEAD TO HEAD
These sides last played in Australia in 2021 where the hosts won a 3 match series 2-1 and they met 4 times in France in 2012 with 2 wins apiece.
BETTING – Click here to bet
France 2/13
Draw 33/1
Australia 6/1
Handicap: France -14.5
Suggested Bet: First-Half Winning Margin, France by 1 – 7 points inclusive at 19/10
I think the handicap for this game is well set and if France do get on top I expect it to be late in the second-half. I am looking for a tight first-half and I am backing the French to carry a narrow lead into the sheds.
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Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
