The problem with international rugby is that it produces very few surprise results.  Wales play Fiji on Friday evening and despite numerous changes to the Welsh team there will only be one winner.  By the same token nobody seriously expects Canada to beat France on Saturday.

The one game where I disagree with the bookmakers is Scotland v. Argentina. They have Argentina as favourites and it is possible to back Scotland at 2/1.  While recognising that Argentina have improved considerably over the last few years, their away record, despite a tremendous win against the French in Marseille, is still poor. Scotland have a new coach, their district sides are showing well in the Celtic league and the Heineken cup and their performances can only improve from last year’s sorry showing.

I’m English and I hate to back the Scots at anything, but I am going to break the habit of a lifetime and back them to win a tight match.