Ireland Go For Grand Slam
The heat is on as the Six Nations championship is now between Ireland and Wales - following England's recent 34-10 win over France to blow them out of the race for the title.
The final games in the Six Nations tournament 2009 will each be taking place on 21st March - a date for sports bettors' diaries.
Battling it out to claim back the Calcutta Cup, England will take on their Scottish rivals in what threatens to be a bitter clash at Twickenham. Rugby bettors will be interested to know that England have not lost at home to Scotland since 1983.
Steve Borthwick's team have shown promising displays of late and, with key players Delon Armitage and Andy Goode on-side, they won't be making it easy for Scotland to hold on to the Cup.
With England gunning for a second place finish ahead of Wales, and Scotland vying for second-from bottom, sports spread bettors are expecting a passionate clash between the pair.
Also looking to dodge the Wooden Spoon are Italy. Playing France on home soil, Sergio Parisse and his men will be out for their first victory of the tournament to silence critics and regain pride. With encouraging recent performances from Mirco Bergamasco and Luke McLean, sports bettors may see the Italians putting up a sterling fight.
However, with the likes of Thierry Dusautoir and Lionel Beauxis on the pitch for France, Lionel Nallet's team remain favourites in the Six Nations betting stakes.
Later in the day, in what promises to be a cracking showdown, Wales will take on visitors Ireland in the championship decider.
Having entered into the tournament as rugby spread betting favourites, defending champions Wales will be hoping that dangermen Shane Williams and Stephen Jones can help retain the title � but will need to secure a win of 13 points or more in Cardiff if they are to keep the Irish lying low in the Fields of Anthenry.
Currently unbeaten and tournament favourites, Ireland have proved themselves to be more than a match for any team. Looking to steal the title, along with the Grand Slam and Triple Crown, Declan Kidney's team will be turning up the heat in the Millennium Stadium.
With a strong team of players, those involved in sports betting should look out for Brian O'Driscoll or Ronan O'Gara as key men in the fight to secure the their country's first championship win since 1948.
For the players of the home unions, there is the incentive to prove themselves worthy to play on the summer tour to South Africa with the British and Irish Lions, while France and Italy will be working to gain tournament respect.
One thing's for sure. Come 21st March, there's everything to play for.
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