Six Nations 2012: France v Italy Odds and Betting Preview

PARIS, FRANCE – The 2012 Six Nations begins in Paris on Saturday afternoon when tournament favourites France open their campaign against Italy at the Stade de France. France were the beaten finalists at last year’s World Cup and they will hope to continue to build on the momentum generated by their performances in the knock-out stages. Italy beat France in Rome last year but face a much more difficult task in front of a partisan French crowd this weekend.

France are the very short priced favourites for this tie and can be backed at a standout 1/25 with Ladbrokes (bet £25 to make £1 profit). Italy are as big as 18/1 at sportingbet while a draw can be backed at 50/1 with Paddy Power.

France have retained many of their World Cup squad and have named a formidable side to face the Italians here. Thierry Dusautoir, the IRB World Player of the Year, will captain the side while Wesley Fofana wins his first cap in the centre alongside his experienced Clermont Auvergne teammate Aurelien Rougerie. Two French clubs have made it through to the knockout stages of the Heineken Cup, Toulouse and Clermont Auvergne, and ten players in the starting line-up play their domestic rugby with either club. France have three games at home in this year’s competition and they should get off to the perfect start against the Italians.

Italy stunned the French last year in Rome winning their first game against Les Blues in this competition. Following the departure of Nick Mallet after the World Cup, Jacques Brunel will manage Italy for the first time and he will hope to build on the progress the nation has made in recent years. Sergio Parisse and Martin Castrogiovanni will once again be influential leaders for the Azzurri up front while they possess an exciting backline which will flourish if they are allowed quick ball.

In the Handicap betting, Italy are an even money chance at bet365 and William Hill when given a 20 point head start. Italy pushed many of the top teams very close in recent years  and given they finished two points behind Ireland, beat France and were only eight points behind Wales in last year’s tournament the main line looks far too big in this game. Italy +18 points can be backed at 5/4 with Stan James while Betfred offer 7/4 on the Italians finishing within two converted tries of the hosts. For any punters who believe France will run away with game can back Les Bleus at 5/4 with Ladbrokes to cover a 22 point handicap deficit and 5/2 with the same firm to win by more than 28 points in Paris.

France/France is a 1/6 chance with Blue Square in the Half-time/Full-time betting while Italy/France is a standout 10/1 with Stan James. France have been known to start games very slowly in the past but they will have home advantage on Saturday afternoon, which should help their cause. Italy are a massive 22/1 with sportingbet to lead at both the half-time and full-time whistles.

Vincent Clerc was the joint top tryscorer at the 2011 World Cup and he has been installed as a 7/1 chance today in the First Tryscorer betting. France’s other winger Julien Malzieu is also quoted at 7/1 to cross the whitewash first and thereby score the tournament’s opening try. Maxime Medard completes the French back-three and he is priced up at 9/1 with Ladbrokes in this market. Medard has scored five tries in nine appearances in the Six Nations which is superb record. Dimitri Yachvilli has been handed the number nine jersey and he is 20/1 with BetVictor to cross frist here. The most prominent players for Italy in this market are Giovanbattista Venditti and Luke Mclean and the two Italian wingers are quoted at 28/1 with Ladbrokes.

This match kicks off at 14.30 GMT on Saturday 4th February and is broadcast live on BBC One.

France v Italy – Match Result Odds
France v Italy – Handicap Odds
France v Italy – Half-time/Full-time Odds
France v Italy – Top Tryscorer Betting 

Six Nations 2012 Winner – Betting Preview