Saturday 23rd February is a critical moment for England in the RBS Six Nations tournament this Saturday. Up against top-of-the-table France, England will need to shake off the second–half decline that has characterised their last two appearances against Wales, where they lost, and Italy where a comfortable first-half lead was squandered in a display of headless chickenry that has left commentators, coaches, six nations betting enthusiasts and players dumbfounded about where to go from here.

Captain, Paul Vickery, in an admirable address to his players, has called an end to blaming everyone else and declared that ‘It’s time to take ownership and responsibility for our own performance’. Sports betting fans will join me in feeling how true this and how refreshing to it is to hear. 

Vickery was the man whose inspirational pre-match words roused the troops into battle at the Stade de France just four months ago when the English crushed the French team during one of the most memorable and satisfying periods of English Rugby in a long time. Vickery and England need to find this resolve again to pick themselves up from their disappointing performances thus far to take on a France which will undoubtedly be seeking revenge for the England triumph over them in the semi-final of World Cup 2007. It’s another daunting fact that the last time England beat France in the Six Nations, at the Stade de France, was in the year 2000.

Wales have yet to be beaten in the competition and should dominate in their home encounter with Italy. Rugby Union betting buffs should note that a win from them, earlier in the day, will put further pressure on England who have a late, 20.00 GMT, start in France.

Ireland against Scotland… well, you’d have to go with Ireland here. Apart from a brief flourish in the World Cup qualifying rounds last year, Scotland seem to succumb to defeat at every opportunity these days and the team should, perhaps, be forced to watch ‘Braveheart’ before the match. Either that or hurry up and opt for an independent Scotland and start building a new national identity and thus a stronger self-belief.