Wallabies Value To Embarrass Hosts

Stuart Lancaster’s side didn’t look that convincing in any of their warm-up fixtures and struggled at times against Fiji in their opening Pool A match, before eventually earning a respectable victory and a bonus point.

Form
They started strongly against Wales, dominating the first half, but ill-discipline cost them as the Welsh battled back to win to leave the home team facing a must-win game against Australia.

After his baptism of fire as national coach last autumn, when the Wallabies lost three out of four Tests on tour, Michael Cheika has masterminded a much improved Australian performance this year, with five wins from six in the Rugby Championship. They had to work hard to beat Fiji in their World Cup opener, but then ran in eleven tries in a 65-3 victory over Uruguay.

Team News
England suffered another blow at the weekend, with the news that number eight Billy Vunipola’s injury will keep him out of the rest of the tournament. Courtney Lawes and Ben Youngs are doubtful and will need to prove their fitness as they try to shake off respective knee and ankle injuries, but there is better news about Ben Morgan and Jonathan Joseph who are likely to be available for selection.

Wallabies back row forward Wycliff Palu has failed to shake off a lingering hamstring problem and has been ruled out of the rest of the tournament, as has lock Will Skelton, who came off against Uruguay suffering from a pectoral tear. Hooker James Hanson has been called up to the squad, along with lock Sam Carter, who is likely to slot into the second row against England.

Head to Head
Australia have had the better of their 43 matches against England since the first in 1909, having won 24 times, but England have the stronger recent record.

The men in white have won four of their last five games against the Wallabies, including their most recent meeting, at Twickenham in November last year, when two tries from Ben Morgan and four penalties from George Ford helped England to a 26-17 victory in their final Test of 2014.

The good news for Australian fans is that their side has a reasonable record at Twickenham, winning four of their last eight matches at the venue, including their most recent success against England, a 20-14 victory in 2012.

Recommended Bet
Stuart Lancaster appears to have found the right combination in the fly-half and centre positions, but England’s poor decision making and lack of composure against Wales is a more serious problem. They will be under immense pressure in a must-win game and…

…I think the Wallabies, whose only defeat in 2015 has come against the All Blacks, offer a touch of value at 11/10 in the Match Betting market.

And don’t forget, if you have a bet in the first tryscorer market, Boylesports will give you your money back as a free bet if the first try of the game is unconverted.

*Prices correct at time of publication.