Rugby Union : Rugby

Six Nations Team Guide: Italy

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:12:40 +0000

New coach, same old question for the Azzuri: can they avoid the Six Nations wooden spoon? Geoffrey Riddle gives his verdict on Italy's chances...

Six Nations Betting: France's World Cup performance no indicator of RBS success

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:06:19 +0000

When it comes to predicting future tournament success, neither the World Cup, nor the Six Nations, is much cop, according to Jack Houghton.

Six Nations Team Guide: France

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:51:10 +0000

France look rejuvenated under their new coach and Geoffrey Riddle believes this could be the year that they reward the Grand Slam backers...

Six Nations Team Guide: Ireland

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:22:39 +0000

Ireland may be without their talismanic centre this year but Geoffrey Riddle believes their strong squad can still enjoy a successful tournament...

Six Nations Team Guide: Scotland

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:17:57 +0000

Can Scotland stop conceding late, crucial scores in time for the 2012 Six Nations? Geoffrey Riddle assesses their chances and wonders if they might be worth backing on the main handicap line...

Rugby Six Nations Team Guide: Wales

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:04:29 +0000

There's no doubting the novelty of their training regimes but Wales' squad is missing too many key players to make them realistic contenders, says Geoffrey Riddle.

Rugby Six Nations Team Guide: England

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:51:27 +0000

They're one of the most inexperienced sides at this year's tournament but they're also likely to be just about the fittest. Other than that, there's not a huge amount to like about them, says Geoffrey Riddle.

Heineken Cup Betting: Can Ulster complete the Irish hat-trick?

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 09:32:15 +0000

Ireland have led the way in the Heineken Cup this season and two of the four provinces look of interest in their respective match-ups in the final round this weekend, writes Geoffrey Riddle.

Heineken Cup Tips: Ulster to tame the Tigers again

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 09:26:50 +0000

It's crunch time in the Heineken Cup with the penultimate round of fixtures and the Friday night clash between Ulster and Leicester will set the tone for a massive weekend. Geoffrey Riddle looks at that match as well as Saracens home tussle with Biarritz and Treviso's trip to Ospreys

Will Greenwood: Loving the new England

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 15:21:34 +0000

Will Greenwood is in an upbeat mood as a new era of responsibility and optimism sweeps through the England rugby team. He also explains how a hangover almost cost him his own call-up.

Six Nations Betting: Toby Flood out of Scotland v England

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 10:42:11 +0000

Leicester fly-half ruled out for up to six weeks but he should be back for the trip to Italy...

Six Nations: England axe Danny Care

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 15:01:45 +0000

Scrum-half will play no part in Six Nations after second arrest in three weeks. Meanwhile, there's only one month to go until the tournament begins...

Rugby Betting: England call ups could scupper Quins' season

Mon, 26 Dec 2011 12:10:18 +0000

Ralph Ellis believes that the national team stand to gain from Harlequins' investment in youth. But Six Nations call ups might slow down the club's Premiership progress...

Heineken Cup Betting: Leicester can bulldoze Clermont

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 09:29:19 +0000

Leicester were hard done by in defeat last week, says Geoffrey Riddle, and they can exact revenge this Saturday against Clermont. Meanwhile, it's time to back Bath and Treviso...

Heineken Cup Betting: Quins to inflict Euro pain on Toulouse

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 09:27:23 +0000

Geoffrey Riddle looks at a trio of European clashes in this week's Heineken Cup preview and he's hoping Harlequins can kick off a successful weekend of betting with a defeat of French giants Toulouse