By Wellsaint
October 9 2003

Only a few games to preview this week then.. The comments are shorter than usual, but I've made a pick (of sorts) for all the ZP and RWC games. Hopefully the end of the weekend will see us in good heart.. heart.. geddit?... oh, please yourselves! ZURICH PREMIERSHIP GAMES

Sale v Wasps

Both teams have had disappointing starts to the season - the fact that Sale have home advantage tips the balance for me. Sale by 5.

Bath v Rotherham

A tale of two seasons. Bath to win, by 20 points or more.

Gloucester v Leicester

Gloucester seem to be going to pieces away from home. But this is at Castle Grim. Gloucester by seven.

Harlequins v Newcastle

Quins have started well and should see off Newcastle by ten points.


Saints v London Irish

Saints seem to be firing, but now we face our bogey team. The Irish defence has been mean all season. Will that change on Saturday? I think it might, y'know - Saints by twelve.

Leeds v Saracens

Sarries should know too much for a Leeds side who seem to be struggling. Sarries by eight.

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RUGBY WORLD CUP GAMES

Australia v Argentina

Argentina getting a fifteen point start would be my call.

New Zealand v Italy

New Zealand at full strength, Italy not; bookies have NZ down as 60 pt favs. Of the big handicaps of the weekend, this is the one I'd play.

Ireland v Romania

Ireland are around fifty point favs. Difficult - if forced, I'd back them to beat the handicap and win by more.

France v Fiji

France are around 4 try favourites. Again, not a match I want to play, but if I did, Fiji receiving 28 points seems the call.

South Africa v Uraquay

South Africa will win - I believe the handicaps in the late sixties - not knowing anything about Uraquay I pass - if forced, South Africa to give the points.

Wales v Canada

Canada are 23 point underdogs. That'll do for me - Wales only beat them by 11 in the Millenium Stadium - Canada a firm call to lose by less than
23.

Scotland v Japan

Scotland are (from memory) around 50 point favs. Not sure I'd want to get involved in this - if forced, I'd possibly side with Japan to keep the margin lower.

England v Georgia

Ridiculous handicap line of 90 points - no bet - if forced I'd probably take Georgia to lose by less than 90 if only because it's a bookie overreaction.

BEST BETS (WORLD CUP)

Argentina +15 over Australia
Canada +23 over Wales
New Zealand -62 over Italy

There are no premiership handicaps at this point (and I wouldn't expect to see them much earlier than matchday during the World Cup.)

Finally....

Good luck to everyone on the Wolverton/Blisworth to the Gardens walk this weekend. Hopefully we will raise a good total for the British Heart Foundation.

If you use these tips, and are fortunate enough to win some money, please consider making a donation from your winnings to the BHF -it's a worthy cause.

Again, I would like to thank Brian Goodyear Bookmakers for very kindly donating a Charity Bet with all proceeds going to the BHF - your generosity is appreciated.

Good luck with your bets this weekend.

COME ON YOU SAINTS and COME ON YOU WALKERS!!!