Six Nations - Week 2
Buyers of England's supremacy spread will have been pleased with the Red Rose's dominant performance over Wales at the Millennium Stadium last Friday evening, although might have been slightly peeved that Martin Johnson's men were unable to hold on to their one-time 14-point lead. The eventual supremacy spread make-up was just seven points. Chris Ashton's brace of tries bought a smile to the faces of those who bought his try minutes spread as the market was settled at 70.
England face the first of three consecutive fixtures at Twickenham, in the first match of the weekend, against Italy. The Northampton flyer will be hoping he gets on the scoresheet again - as will buyers of his try minutes spread - this weekend and it must be said the omens are good for the hosts. In 16 Test match meetings since 1991, the Azzurri are yet to beat England. However, spread sellers of England's supremacy will know that Italy came close last year, despite an eventual 17-12 defeat, and that Ireland were given a fright at the Stadio Flaminio last weekend.
Italy's last visit to HQ, when they lost 36-11, was not quite so productive however, but many spread punters would have been put off getting with the hosts on that occasion two years ago when confronted with the news that usual back-row Mauro Bergamasco was to start at scrum-half. Those prepared to buy the Italian's total team points spread in 2011 will be pleased that Mauro is back in the scrum where he belongs and that brother Mirco's boot appears to be in good shape.
Sporting Index's rugby traders are liable to break out in a cold sweat at the thought of a repeat of the meeting in 2001, when those spread punters long on England and total points rejoiced. The 80-23 England victory was the largest winning margin and highest score of the series, as well as a Championship record.
Later on Saturday, a down-on-their-luck Wales visit Murrayfield. Although the Scottish were floored by the sheer pace of the French last weekend, their three tries was the most they have scored in Paris since 1999, the year of their Five Nations victory, and the same number they scored in 2010's Championship. Try spread buyers take note.
Despite being back at Lansdowne Road, albeit a heavily overhauled version of the venue, the Irish might be slightly worried about welcoming Les Bleus. France have won 17 times in 35 matches against Ireland at the old venue and plenty more spread punters will have considered buying France's win index as a result of their opening performance against Scotland. If buyers of Ireland's win index spread were ready counter that France were defeated on their last journey to Dublin in 2009, they should be aware that that is the Boys in Green's only win in the last nine most recent head-to-heads.
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