Rugby World Cup Pool A: Expect England to win big in Fiji opener
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Host nation England have a chance to lay down a major marker to the rest of the world when they kick-off the Rugby World Cup 2015. Stuart Lancaster’s side are overwhelming odds-on 1/33 favourites for a victory over Fiji in front of a capacity crowd at Twickenham.
England simply have to win this match, such is the difficult nature of Pool A, with both Australia and Wales also in there. Their last loss on home soil came against South Africa back in November 2014, and since then have won seven on the spin.
Winning the Rugby World Cup opener is crucial, and something that England have done at the last five editions of this tournament.
The Red Rose have never lost to Fiji, winning all five of their previous meetings, which goes a long way to explaining the 16/1 about the Pacific Islanders causing a major upset at the spiritual home of rugby.
In those clashes, England have scored no fewer than 210 points and Coral are offering a special 6/4 price on the hosts winning by 30 or more points here. You can stake a maximum of £20 on this bet.
Only once have Fiji beaten one of the major rugby playing nations at a World Cup – Wales back in 2007 – and in 2011 they conceded as many as 167 points in their four pool games. Getting behind an England success by a margin of 31-40 points at 11/4 looks wise.
Lancaster has somewhat controversially opted to name rugby league convert Sam Burgess in the hosts’ World Cup squad. The former South Sydney Rabbitohs star is among the replacements but, when he does get on to the pitch, he is destined to be a threat with his hard running and devastating finishing. Burgess, 26, is an enhanced 3/1 to silence his critics and run in a try on his World Cup debut.
This match offers the opportunity for some of England’s forwards to get their names on the scoresheet, no more so than skipper Chris Robshaw. The Harlequins man has only ever scored two tries for his country, but he is likely to be given ample chances to get over the line here.
A boosted price 5/1 wincast for an England win and skipper Robshaw to cross definitely appeals, with leadership by example essential at this tournament.
Coral’s top tip: Awesome 11/4 odds for England’s margin of victory to be 31-40 points are well worth investing in here.
