/ Editor / 04 August 2007 / Leave a comment

Paris will stage a potentially-decisive Pool A betting clash between England and Tonga on September 28 - a fixture that should present plenty of opportunities for punters wanting a World Cup bet.

Brian Ashton's men, often a popular bet, should have too much pace and power for international lightweights Tonga, who will be long odds to cause a betting upset.

Tonga coach Quddus Fielea has claimed his troops will have nothing to fear from their Pool A rivals but the Pacific Islanders will have a more realistic chance of victory against Samoa and USA Eagles, who will also be available at big odds.

Tonga will be eager to fare better than the last time they graced the world stage when they lost all three of their games - including a 91-7 annihilation by odds on favourites in the betting New Zealand - and finished bottom of their group.

Those with bets on the Tongans will take heart from the fact that this year's event will be staged in France, who they secured their greatest home victory against - a 20-16 defeat in June 1999.

Inoke Afeaki is poised for this third tournament having also played in 1995 and captained the 'Ikale Tahi in 2003 and his experience will be reflected in the betting on the match.

The second row is one of a number of players to have been involved in the last World Cup to make the squad, including Ephraim Taukafa, Viliami Vaki, Pierre Hola, Tevita Tu'ifua and Sukanaivalu Hufanga who could all attract bets on the day.

Back-to-back defeats to Rugby World Cup hosts France in warm-up internationals last month saw England's odds ease and they remain an outside bet to become the first side to win successive world titles.

The odds are Brian Aston will look upon this Pool A clash as a mortgage job - and the coach may rest a number of senior stars for what should be a formality.