England Slight Favourites To Beat Ireland

On paper the Ireland vs England clash is a possible Six Nations decider, but in a Lions year the Six Nations trophy is not the only thing that could be decided at the weekend. Despite being away from home England are proving very slight favourites at 20/21, with Ireland offered at 21/20.

Chris Ashton has found his scoring boots and he is 5/2 to score a try in the match and 10/1 to score the first, whilst Billy Twelvetrees will be desperate to justify his selection and is 5/1 to score a try and 18/1 the first!

Sunday's match could have huge ramifications for the Lions selection, with lead contenders for both the Captaincy & Fly half going head to head. Brian O'Driscoll has shot to the top of the betting for who will Captain the Lions at 15/8, but England Captain Chris Robshaw will fancy his chances and is the 9/4 second favourite. Ireland's Jonathan Sexton was seen as a certainty to start at ten but Owen Farrell continues to impress and he is now 4/1 to take to the field ahead of Sexton in the first test.

"In all probability this match will not just decide who will win this year's Six Nations, but also the Lions Captaincy and who starts at number ten in the summer," said William Hill spokesman Rupert Adams.

Match Bet: 21/20 Ireland, 20/21 England, 18/1 Tie

Handicap: 10/11 Ireland, 11/10 England (-1), 16/1 Tie

Who will start at Fly Half for B&I Lions in the 1st Test v Australia?: 2/5 J Sexton, 4/1 O Farrell, 10/1 R Priestland, 14/1 T Flood, 33/1 R Jackson, 33/1 D.Biggar, 33/1 J Wilkinson

Who will captain the British & Irish Lions: 15/8 Brian O'Driscoll, 9/4 Chris Robshaw, 3/1 Jamie Heaslip, 7/2 Sam Warburton, 12/1 Rory Best, 33/1 John Sexton, 40/1 Tom Wood, 50/1 Adam Jones, 66/1 bar