Rugby World Cup Pool D: France to win comfortably against Canada
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With Rugby World Cup Pool D proving predictable and seemingly destined to boil down to an all-Six Nations showdown between France and Ireland, Les Bleus use their full roster and rotate once again as they play former colony Canada at Stadium:mk.
Coral confidently put the French as overwhelming odds-on 1/200 favourites to beat the Maple Leaf in Milton Keynes. Les Bleus have a perfect Rugby World Cup record of two out of two against this opposition, giving Philippe Saint-Andre further justification to shuffle his pack ahead of that Irish encounter that should determine the group winner.
A dozen changes made to their opponents’ XV notwithstanding, trying to put any sort of case for second tier nation Canada is near impossible, and one reflected by their rank outsiders 25/1 price to win this match. The Maple Leaf have never beaten France outside their native land.
While punters may think the handicap betting appeals, Les Bleus have failed to deliver on that in their two Rugby World Cup outings to date, so we advise you avoid that market here.
The French overturning a 38-point deficit is seen as par for the course, but they have only ever crushed Canada by that margin or bigger on just a single occasion. Taking a margin of victory that is 10 points or so lower instead appeals after wins of between 21 and 30 points over Italy and Romania, so back Les Bleus in that bracket at a superb 7/2.
Saint-Andre’s chopping and changing does make the tryscorer markets a little unpredictable too in all honesty, but inside centre Wesley Fofana is always a threat when on the pitch with 12 crossings in 36 caps, including last time out. Odds-on at 4/9 anytime, he’s well worth a punt at an enhanced 7/4 to go over two or more times in this match (max stake £20).
Maple Leaf winger Daniel Tailliferrer Hauman van der Merwe, meanwhile, may be something of a mouthful to say, but he’s got tries in both Rugby World Cup games so far, and is a terrific 2/1 to keep up that trend here.
Coral’s top tip: A repeat of France’s 2011 Rugby World Cup margin of victory of 21-30 points is sensational at 7/2.
