Both teams had an under-par Rugby World Cup. Scotland, despite playing well, failed to qualify from the group stages for the first time in their history. Failure of their forwards to capitalise on try scoring, meant that the Scots were ever-reliant on the boot of Chris Paterson. In the end, it wasn’t enough and the Scots limped out of the New Zealand World Rugby Cup.

England are on a rebuilding program since their Rugby World Cup escapade ended in failure. Thanks mainly to off-the-field shenanigans that seen the England team labelled as ‘posh hooligans’ by some elements of the press. New England coach, Stuart Lancaster, has drafted in a few rookies to freshen up England, however, the lack of experience in England’s set-up at International level is one of the main the reasons the Scotland v England betting is so tight.

Scotland do have the suppoprt of Murrayfield behind them, and if they play the type of rugby that’s expected of them, then it could become a cauldron too hot to handle for this ‘wet behind the ears‘ English team.

England haven’t beaten Scotland at Murrayfield since 2004 and if you’re looking for some excellent free bets and latest bookie offers on the Scotland v England betting then check out our Six Nations Rugby Betting 2012 page.

Scotland v England Betting Odds

England	5/6	8/11	1/20	1/16
Scotland	6/5	9	11/8	11/8
Draw	14	33	18	20

Scotland v England Betting Odds Last Updated: 03/02/2011 (Betting Odds Correct at Time of Writing)

New Zealand, probably one of the most stand-out teams of the Rugby World Cup betting, represent free flowing attacking rugby which is now synonymous with Southern Hemisphere Rugby. They’ve already wiped the floor with France in their Pool A match with a powerful 37-17 victory.

The All Blacks looked comfortable in the semi-final against Australia and put in a professional display which made the Aussies look decidedly awkward at times.

France must think their names is on this year’s Rugby World Cup. They have been anything but below-par during this campaign – their most ourstanding display was probably against England in the QF’s – plus they’ve lost twice against France & Tonga and somehow managed to find themselves in the 2011 Rugby World Cup Final.

The bookies have made the All-Black’s firm pre-match favourites in the France v New Zealand betting odds – who can blame them really. France will need to pull off a near perfect game of rugby in order to overcome New Zealand. There is no doubt that they have the flair at their disposal to cause an upset – it’s just a huge question mark hanging in the air whether they can at last play to their expectations and pull off a famous victory which will surely go down in rugby folklore.

France v New Zealand Betting

New Zealand To Win	1/9	1/10	1/9	1/8
France To Win	7	13/2	13/2	11/2
Draw	40	33	40	25

Betting Odds Last Updated: 19/10/2011 (correct at time of writing)

You can be sure that Free Betting Online will always have the very latest free bets on offer, you could even try a Free £20 bet on the outcome of the France v New Zealand Betting.

With hosts New Zealand waiting for the runners-up in Pool B it’s imperative for both England and Scotland to win Pool B and avoid facing the All-Black’s.

Likely England v Scotland Betting Permutations

If England and Argentina both win their matches then Scotland are out and England qualify in 1st place with Argentina finishing 2nd.

If Scotland beat England by less than 8pts and Argentina lose then England qualify in 1st place with the Scots finishing 2nd.

If Scotland beat England by more than 8pts and Argentina lose then Scotland qualify in 1st place with the English finishing 2nd.

Then there are points difference scenarios – if teams begin picking up losing bonus points. Yep, it is that confusing.

However, all said and done, the simple way to ensure progression into the next round without relying on other teams results is to win the match first.

England normally have more of an edge over Scotland in the Six Nations games. But this is the Rugby World Cup and home form goes out the window. Rivalry will be intensified to new levels as both England and Scotland will be upping their game but mistakes will happen and it’ll be the team that capitalises the most on those errors who’ll claim victory.

Both England and Scotland have never failed to reach the World Cup quarter-finals, which adds even more pressure to the game.

Set your alarm clocks tomorrow morning and settle down in front of the TV for what is likely to be a cracker of a match between England and Scotland (Live on ITV1 KO 8.30am).

England v Scotland Betting

England To Win	1/7	1/6	1/7	1/8
Scotland To Win	9/2	9/2	9/2	5
Draw	25	25	25	25

Betting Odds Last Updated: 30/09/2011 – Correct at time of writing.

You can be sure that Free Betting Online will always have the very latest free bets on offer, you could even try a Free £10 bet on the outcome of the England v Scotland game or any other Rugby World Cup betting match.

New Zealand joint hosted the first ever Rugby World Cup back in 1987 with Australia. They successfully won that tournament back then, however, the All-Blacks have never repeated that achievement since. Although they did make the final only to be defeated by South Africa in 1995.

No doubt the eventual winner of the 2011 Rugby World Cup will come from one of the big 5 Rugby Union nations : Australia; France; England; New Zealand and South Africa.

Current 2011 Rugby World Cup betting odds have been released by the bookies and it’s always best, we feel, to get your bet on now when the odds are at their most generous.

New Zealand : best betting odds of 8/11 from Blue Square
Australia : best betting odds of 4/1 from Betfred
South Africa : best betting odds of 15/2 from BWin
England : best betting odds of 12/1 from Stan James
France : best betting odds of 21/1 from Betfair
Ireland : best betting odds of 37/1 from Betfair
Wales : best betting odds of 80/1 from Boylesports
Argentina : best betting odds of 150/1 from Boylesports
Scotland : best betting odds of 200/1 from Sporting Bet

One interesting bet will be the head-to-head match between England and Scotland who are both drawn in Pool B. As of the other home nations, Ireland are placed in Australia’s pot while Wales have a tough group to qualify from as they’ll come up against South Africa, Fiji and Samoa.

If you’re a Rugby Union betting fan then look out for our free bets tailored towards the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Nigh on 30 years later, England are on course for a Grand Slam. Scotland at home (Sunday, 13 March 2011) and Ireland away (Saturday, 19 March 2011) stand in their way.

For those that believe in Omens, the Scots head to Twickenham on the back of 3 straight defeats (France, Wales and Ireland) similar to when they last won the Calcutta Cup back in 1983. OK, perhaps this is grasping at straws in trying to draw conclusions with the current set-up and that famous win 28 years ago. But Scotland have nothing to fear, but everything to prove, as the players will know that a good display could cement their place in the Scots squad for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Plus the added bonus of stopping England’s Grand Slam attempt.

England have looked impressive in their quest for a Grand Slam title – their first in 8 years. A solid display saw off nearest rivals France last weekend in their 17-9 win. History shows that England do well in the Calcutta Cup at home. In the last 4 out of 5 home ties, England have scored over 40 points against their Scottish neighbours.

The bookies are obviously confident that 2011 Six Nations Rugby betting odds of an upset happening this weekend are not on the cards. England are clear favourites for the Calcutta Cup match with best odds of 1/12 from Blue Square. You can get a massive 9/1 from 888 Bet of lowly Scotland winning at Twickenham. A similar result to last year’s Calcutta Cup draw will give you 61/1 from Betfair. It could well be a long day for the Scottish backs on Sunday.

If you’re a Rugby Union betting fan then look out for our free bets tailored towards the RBS 6 Nations plus the oncoming 2011 Rugby World Cup.

As the excitement begins to build towards the 6 Nations kick off, much has been written regarding the two way tussle for the 6 Nations crown between England and France. Will France impose another Grand Slam (best odds of 13/5 from Totesport) achievement despite rumours and papertalk of massive infighting in the French camp? Or will England (best odds of 7/4 from Victor Chandler) rediscover the form that won them their last 6Nations title back in 2003?

Ireland are third favourites (best odds of 7/2 from SportingBet) in the 2011 Six Nations Rugby betting odds to lift their second title in three years. Despite headlines that the Irish team is an ageing one, on closer observance, their average age is just 26. Hardly over the hill.

Wales (best odds of 11/2 from Paddy Power) get their 6 Nations campaign off to a flyer at home against England, unusually on a Friday night, the 4th of February. Despite injury to prop, Gethin Jenkins, which sees him miss the entire 6 Nations campaign, Wales seem optimistic that they can beat England on home turf and get their tournament off to a flier.

As for Scotland and Italy, predictably these two have fought it out over the less-than-impressive honour of collecting the ‘wooden spoon‘ over the last few years. Scotland (best odds of 16/1 from Stan James) are either truly awful or truly brilliant and once again a massive question mark hangs over the Scots. Italy (best odds of 250/1 from Sky Bet) will once again be looking towards improvement on previous years.

If you’re a Rugby Union betting fan then look out for our free bets tailored towards the RBS 6 Nations plus the oncoming 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Perhaps, it is a game too far for England, to even conceive that they will win in France but by a handsome scoreline as well, leaves most Six Nations betting punters shaking their heads at the task ahead. Still, England have to overcome the Scots on their own turf, something they haven’t been too good at in recent years.

The Scots sit none too proudly at the foot of the table without a point to their name. In a year when once again expectation was fed, by the powers that be within the Scots set-up, to a rugby loving nation and once again those expectations have been sorely let down. Defeats to France, Wales and Italy have been hard to swallow, especially when you have a wooden spoon being shoved down your throat.

England, meanwhile, continue to tread water with Johnson in charge and a defeat against the Scots on Saturday could see the England coach sink under a wave of criticism from the nations press. The Calcutta Cup may be a glimmer of hope for England and a solid foundation to build upon for the upcoming World Cup. You can get some great 6 Nations bookmaker deals and free bets by singing up to the Free Betting Online email alerts. Below are the latest Calcutta Cup 2010 betting odds.

#market(calcuttacup2010)#

England
Much has been written of England’s chances of winning the Six Nations championship since 2003′s Grand Slam victory and it’s not all good. Honestly, England could be out of the fight if they lose at home to Wales on Saturday. Even though the game is at Twickenham, England must impress in their attack or their Six Nations campaign will get off to a very bad start which they might never recover from.

France
Have a very good draw this year, playing England, Italy and Ireland at home and only on the road to Scotland and Wales. If they can overcome the Scots on Saturday, and that greatly depends on which scotland team turns up, then that will put them in a commanding position to repeat their 2007 success.

Ireland
Confidence breeds confidence and this Irish side is confident of repeating last years great Grand Slam achievement. Ireland have a great chance to start building that winning momentum with a home game against Italy. Their next two games are both away to France and England which will no doubt shape their destination in this years Six Nation championship.

Wales
The Welsh team could either be fighting to win the Six Nations championship or to stave off the dreaded ‘wooden spoon’ come their end game against Italy. That is how tight their campaign is given their draw this year. If they pull off a victory against England on Saturday then anything is possible. However, a defeat would mean a spiritied display against Scotland at home and even the most assured betting pundit would be hard pressed to guess how that one turns out.

Scotland
Progression has been the keyword surrounding the Scottish Rugby team over the last 4 years. A young team which can overcome the best in the World as they showed against Australia in the Autumn Test. Yet, schoolboy errors are still a worry for the Scots and with it being Scotland normally these errors get punished with points for the opposing team. Mid-table would be a successful campaign.

Italy
Rome is their harbour. The Italians don’t like losing at home. England and Scotland both visit Rome and these are normally games for the purists only, such is the Italians fear of losing in Rome, something resembling anti-rugby takes shape. I see Italy in the bottom two come the end of the campaign. Not much change there then.

You can get a free bet from Free Betting Online to help make the Six Nations 2010 Championship even more exciting. Below are our pre-Six Nations Championship betting table. Get your bet on early while the odds are generous!

To Win The Six Nations 2010 Championship Betting Odds

France	6/4	6/4	6/4	8/5	6/4	6/4	6/4	6/4
Ireland	23/10	9/4	5/2	223/100	9/4	9/4	9/4	9/4
England	9/2	9/2	4	53/10	4	9/2	5	4
Wales	9/2	4	9/2	59/10	5	9/2	9/2	5
Scotland	20	20	16	22	20	20	18	20
Italy	250	250	200	398	250	250	200	250

Munster (Ireland) and Toulouse (France) are the early Heineken Cup betting favourites. Munster, although, lost their opening away game against a fighting Northampton Saints 31 – 27, but should win, with home backing, against shock troops, Benetton Treviso (Italy), whom they outclassed easily 51 – 0, when the sides last met at Munster’s home ground.

Toulouse (France) got their Heineken Cup campaign off to the perfect start against Sale Sharks (England), with a comfortable 36 – 17 win for the French outfit with Vincent Clerc of Toulouse grabbing a brace of tries.

English hopes predominantly lay with Leicester, beaten finalists in last years competition, faced a tough encounter with Welsh cracks, Ospreys. In a end-to-end game the final result was a 32 – 32 draw and will no doubt be remembered as a thrilling Heineken Cup classic.

Scottish sides Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors both lost their opening matches. Cardiff Blues (Wales) outclassed a poor Harlequins (England) 20 – 6.

To Win the 2010 Heineken Cup Betting Odds

Toulouse	5	5	9/2	26/5	9/2	5	5	7/2	9/2	5
Munster	9/2	9/2	9/2	26/5	5	9/2	9/2	9/2	5	5
Stade Francais	6	13/2	6	7	5	6	11/2	11/2	5	6
Clermont Auvergne	9	9	9	10	8	9	9	10	8	10
London Irish	9	9	9	10	9	10	8	9	8	9
Leinster	12	11	12	23/2	12	12	12	11	12	12
Biarritz	11	14	14	31/2	9	10	14	14	12	12
Leicester	14	14	14	13	14	14	14	14	12	14
Ospreys	16	12	16	16	16	14	14	16	12	16
Northampton	14	14	16	18	14	16	16	16	14	16
Cardiff Blues	16	25	20	26	20	25	20	28	20	20
Gloucester	25	33	33	43	28	33	33	33	25	33
Ulster	40	40	50	41	50	50	50	50	50	50
Perpignan	22	40	33	43	50	40	33	33	33	33
Bath	33	50	40	69	66	50	40	50	33	40
Llanelli Scarlets	80	80	66	89	80	80	66	80	80	80
Harlequins	50	50	66	84	80	66	66	66	66	66
Brive	100	100	80	119	100	100	100	66	100	100
Edinburgh	100	100	80	119	150	150	100	100	100	80
Sale	100	66	100	199	200	200	150	200	200	125
Dragons	150	150	100	209	200	200	150	100	150	125
Glasgow	100	100	100	249	250	500	100	500	100	150
Viadana	1500	2500	1000	99	5000	5000	1000	1000	5000	2000
Treviso	1000	1000	500	309	1000	1000	500	200	5000	1000

Wales v Ireland Betting – 6 Nations
Wales To Win	8/13	8/11	2/3	8/13	5/6	8/13	4/5
Ireland To Win	5/4	11/10	6/5	5/4	25/19	5/4	1

We were told that both England and Scotland are in transitional mode prior to the 6 Nations kicking off, sure enough, we have witnessed both nations provide scrappy, frustrating and wonderful displays of rugby in the past weeks. England must be the more confident of the two nations in this Calcutta Cup match. The English trouncing of a poor France last weekend will have ignited a taste for victory, yet Scotland will always be a difficult opponent, dependant on which Scottish side turn up to play. It is rumoured that this is Scotland’s coach Frank Hadden’s last game in charge, having failed to impress his superiors upstairs, the Scottish players will be wanting to reverse that fortune.

England v Scotland Betting – 6 Nations
England To Win	1/8	1/6	1/6	1/6	1/6	1/8	1/8
Scotland To Win	5	4	7/2	4	32/5	9/2	6